Minutes 03/24/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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08) ~. TUESDAY MARCH 24, 1981 The dollars in savings to close a school are insignificant when compared to the entire city budget. The 1980-81 school budget increased 16.5% over the 1979-80 school budget. The regular budget, which includes 7 schools open, shows only an 8.9% increase over the 1980-81 budget, and the alternate budget, which includes 6 schools open, shows an increase of 4.7% over the previous year. In other words, we are talking about a 4.2% savings in the total school budget to close one school over the previous year's budget. We can foresee many problems this Fall, including crowded classrooms, over-worked and over-burdened teachers, insecure children, discipline problems, longer bus rides, crowded cafeterias, playgrounds and other facilities. The enrollment projections do not leave any room for error. These errors have occurred in the past, causing new classrooms to be established and more teachers to be hired. We have tried our best to appeal to the School Board by studying the facts and gathering data, sending personal letters and postcards, sending letters to the Editor, making telephone calls, speaking to City Councilmen and School Board members on a one-to-one basis, attending the meetings, offering suggestions and advice. We have done everything but get down on our knees and beg. As a result of the lack of response on the part of the School Board, we have experienced feelings of dejection, anxiety, rejection, frustration, insecurity, depression and complete helplessness. We asked the School Board to study alternatives. They did not come up with any. We offered our help and assistance on numerous occasions. We received no response. We are interested in seeing our city grow and prosper. to a school will in effect close the door to the city. to see that happen. Closing the door We do not want Perhaps the time has come for us to have elected School Board members, who will listen to the parents and be more responsive. They did not even express regret at their decision to the parents and teachers at the meeting. We are asking you to seek a solution to this tragic situation. We will be glad to help in any way that we can, and hope that you will call on us. You are our final hope. Please do not allow this to happen to our children, our teachers, and our community. We challenge you to look above and beyond the small amount of dollars involved and envision what can be accomplished for all of the children of Martinsville. In response, Mayor Greene offered the following statement of Council's position in this matter, to which individual members of Council offered supporting comments: