To the editor:
As a concerned member of our community, I am writing to pose several important questions to the supporters of Lakeview School and its continued operation. These questions cut to the heart of the matter and demand answers that go beyond rhetoric and personal biases.
Firstly, what is the plan when there simply aren’t enough teachers to adequately staff Lakeview? With ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining educators, it’s a scenario we cannot afford to ignore.
Secondly, let’s consider the hypothetical situation where a significant number of families opt into school choice. What happens if Lakeview finds itself unable to support these additional students due to staffing limitations?
Thirdly, the issue of inequitable pupil expenditure cannot be brushed aside. How do proponents of keeping Lakeview open propose to address this fundamental imbalance without resorting to drastic measures like closure?
Furthermore, there’s a troubling disparity in the ratio of special education staff to students between Woodbury and Lakeview compared to Hardwick. How do we rectify this glaring inequity?
Additionally, the recent advisory vote result, with about a hundred votes apart in favor of keeping Lakeview open, leads me to wonder what the school board will do [with] this information. While there were 100 or so more votes to keep the school open, this simple number does not address the issues of staffing, enrollment, or inequity. What are the solutions to those problems?
Finally, Jay Modry’s claim that community partners will cease their engagement if Lakeview closes begs further examination. Can supporters of Lakeview provide assurances that these partnerships will indeed continue, or are we facing the loss of vital resources and support for our students, even if the school ends up having to close simply because it cannot sustain enough teachers to educate those few students who attend there? I can’t help but wonder whether Craftsbury Outdoor Center and Highland Center for the Arts are capable of answering this question for themselves.
If these questions cannot be answered satisfactorily, it raises doubts about the true priorities of those advocating for Lakeview. Are they genuinely committed to the education of all students in our district, or are they operating on feelings, biases, and a sense of entitlement that only serves their own interests?
It’s time for transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to the educational well-being of every child in our community. Anything less is simply unacceptable.
Mandy L. Spaulding
Hardwick
Mandy Spaulding is a Mountain View Union Elementary School Board member.
