HARDWICK – As I am no longer an MVU board member, I am writing to encourage Hardwick families and staff who are directly affected by the school board’s decision to relocate the well established pre-K program at Hardwick Elementary School to Lakeview Elementary School to fight this decision.
A little history on how the vote came to fruition: Lakeview Elementary School is located in Greensboro and has had declining enrollment and staffing issues for many years. Several committees were formed to discuss the future of Lakeview with no real answers. The most current proposal being to have grades K-3 at Lakeview go to Hardwick or Woodbury Elementary Schools, leaving only pre-K at Lakeview. What was not clearly transparent to all was the fact that Hardwick Elementary’s pre-K program would be relocated to Lakeview.
This was a very quick proposal brought to the board from the superintendent and principals. At February’s board meeting the proposal was an action item. Although the board had voted in October to give this situation a two year timeline, here the board was voting just four short months later to make a change at Hardwick Elementary School that had not been discussed hardly at all among the board or the public. The reasons given for the proposal from the superintendent and principals were as follows: to have all pre-K students in one place under` one license; to provide consistency in practices; consistency in staffing; consistency in curriculum; and alignment with regulations
When I read the rationale for relocating Hardwick Elementary’s pre-K program, I had several thoughts. I will list them below in order of each rationale: all pre-K students at Hardwick Elementary are in one place under one license; there is consistency in practices at the Hardwick Elementary pre-K program; the current pre-K teacher has been at the Hardwick Elementary preK program for eleven years. I would not consider this to be inconsistent; the current pre-K teacher of eleven years is consistent with the curriculum; the Hardwick Elementary pre-K program does align with regulations.
Seeing no problems or issues with the Hardwick Elementary pre-K program, I am wondering why the board would vote to relocate it. The location is in the center of Hardwick where it is conveniently available to Hardwick residents. Families who live in Hardwick who want access to the program can walk to the school if need be. Transportation is not an issue.
There are benefits to having a pre-K program located in a graded school. Here are just a few of them: children can transition seamlessly from pre-K to kindergarten within the same school building, minimizing disruption and fostering familiarity; teachers from different grade levels can work together to ensure a smooth curriculum progression from pre-K to kindergarten; improved academic and social development; better behavioral outcomes; stronger connection between early childhood education and the rest of the school system.
Just to remind people, Lakeview Elementary was a campus with declining enrollment and staffing issues. Were decisions made by the board to relocate students from Lakeview Elementary to Hardwick or Woodbury? Yes. The reason being because of low enrollment and inconsistent staffing issues. Lakeview is a small school with the ability to educate up to eighty-five students. Over the most recent few years enrollment has only been, at its highest, in the mid twenties, even with school choice from two other towns. Why has enrollment declined so dramatically? Lakeview is located in a small rural town. The town has a housing issue and it is costly to live there. Young families are not moving there. The town is mostly made up of families whose children have already gone through the school system. The school is not conveniently located for everyone in our district. In fact it is especially inconvenient for the majority of families in the district. Why then would the board choose to disrupt what is working for people for pre-K in the district? Simple. To keep Lakeview Elementary School open.
As a second option for pre-K within the district this school year, only eight students were in attendance. It is licensed for fifteen students. Families on a waiting list still chose not to enroll their children at Lakeview. How to increase enrollment for pre-K at Lakeview? Transfer the pre-K program at Hardwick to Lakeview. This plan keeps Lakeview sustainable, therefore keeping the school open although many parents who will be affected spoke out against this proposal. The board did not take any of the concerns into consideration and instead voted to keep a small school open. It is the board’s responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of families and students. This plan is not what is in the best interest of families and students. This plan saves a school that needed to close. Lakeview had outlived its purpose as an elementary school due to situations beyond anyone’s control.
I strongly encourage families who will be affected by this board vote to stand up and be heard. Request a meeting with the board for a civil discussion around this abrupt decision and request that the board rescind their vote. I encourage you all to contact Governor Scott. You have rights and reasons to continue to fight for what is best for your needs when it comes to your children’s education.
Doreen Cota is a Hardwick Resident and former MVU Board member.
Doreen Cota
