Bond issue supports the end of busing for desegregation
The bond issue that goes before voters on May 6 will address four key need areas: p rovide additional classrooms to accommodate growth; build 60 safe room storm shelters, renovate or rebuild fine arts, P.E. and athletic facilities; and support the end of busing for desegregation with renovations to schools in the AAA area to provide equitable facilities.

With the end of forced busing, elementary students in the Assigned Attendance Area now have an opportunity to return to their neighborhood schools if they choose to do so.  

“As more kids over time come back to their neighborhood to attend school, we will eventually need more space in those schools,” said Martin Libhart, Chief Operations Officer.

Lack of storage space in classrooms at Spaght makes learning materials hard to reach. Photos by Susan Arensman

The bond plan would provide additions and remodeling for Spaght and Mueller Elementaries to provide more space for students. The plan at Spaght calls for tearing down the school’s wings that were built in 1927 and 1931 and replace them with new classrooms, a new library, a multipurpose room that’s also a safe room and support space.

“We have parts of our building that are old and falling apart,” said Kimberly Sherfield, principal at Spaght. “We have horrible storage in some of our older classrooms. Supplies are piled high and are hard to get to. It’s just not a learning environment that supports our teachers.”

Mueller Elementary would also receive new additions and additional classrooms. One of the items the school is most looking forward to is a new multipurpose room which will better accommodate their student population.

At Mueller Elementary, students have to double up during P.E. classes. There are 50 students jumping rope in a small area

“Because our multipurpose room is so small, we have to have three lunch periods. That ties up the room for 90 minutes, which means we can't have P.E. classes during that time,” said Anne Clemens, principal at Mueller. “To make up the time we have to double up on our P.E. classes and when you have 50 kids in a small area tumbling, playing basketball or doing any other activity, it really becomes a safety issue.”

With the bond plan, a brand-new Isely Traditional Magnet would be built to replace the aging school. The new Isely would be built for 450 students, instead of the 300 students the school is currently designed to hold.

“We would really like to have a pre-k program, special education programs and other opportunities for our students,” said Jane Walker, principal at Isely.

The proposed high school and K-8 school in the northeast quadrant of the city would also help ease space concerns in the area.

More information about the bond issue can be found on the district’s website.

It’s about Our Kids, Our Schools and Our Future!





March 24, 2008