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School Closing Plan Has Board's Support: Final Decision On Cooper-Whiteside's Future Could Come Tonight At Paducah School Board Meeting

Posted on: Monday, 26 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Shelley Byrne, The Paducah Sun, Ky.

Jun. 26--A majority of Paducah school board members favor Superintendent Randy Greene's recommendation to close Cooper-Whiteside Elementary and move the alternative school after the 2006-07 school year.

The board's decision could come as soon as tonight's 7 o'clock meeting at the central office, 800 Caldwell St.

Chairwoman Danette Humphrey, vice chairman Felix Akojie and members Bill Black Jr. and Carl LeBuhn all said they favor Greene's recommendation. Repeated attempts last week to reach Janice Howard were unsuccessful.

Under Greene's plan, half of Cooper-Whiteside's students would attend Morgan Elementary, and the other half McNabb Elementary beginning in fall 2007.

Choices, the city's alternative school, would move from the Forest Hills school to the industrial arts building behind Paducah Tilghman High School, allowing the Forest Hills building to close. Art, ROTC and special education programs currently housed in the industrial arts building would move into unused space in the high school.

Greene has said the changes could potentially save the city school system $200,000 to $400,000 a year. The board met at each school in the city during the past year gathering information to help decide which buildings to close.

"I think we're ready to vote," Black said. "I haven't talked to the other members other than at the meetings about their feelings on it. I have the sense we will support Dr. Greene's recommendation."

Humphrey said the plan makes sense.

"It seems logical to close the school with the smallest enrollment," she said. "I know closing a school is not fun for anyone, but I think if we move 100 of those students into McNabb and 100 into Morgan ... it will create tremendous opportunities for those students. The more students you have in a building, the more after-school and extracurricular activities you can have, and that's more money for that school, based on enrollment."

Akojie said the information Greene provided board members makes him think the recommendation is a good one.

"It seems to make a very good point," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we all support his recommendation. I didn't see any flaw."

LeBuhn said, "I don't know whether there will be a decision made (tonight) or not, but I am leaning toward supporting the recommendation." He called the plan well thought through and complete.

Humphrey said she was contacted by three or four people after Greene announced his recommendation, and that most comments had been positive. Akojie agreed, but added he had received one negative e-mail.

"It seems to me the public is happy with the recommendation," he said.

Black said, "I think it's sound. I think it takes into consideration what we heard at the schools. And I think that Dr. Greene's plans for carrying out whatever we decide are very thoughtful and thorough and deliberate."

Humphrey said people seemed most pleased that the city board is considering a plan to close an elementary school, rather than restructuring to have a combined middle and high school campus or several grade-centered schools.

"I think most people are just somewhat relieved a decision has been made and that it wasn't a drastic or dramatic change," she said.

Humphrey added that she thinks parents and community members will be more excited about the changes after the remaining schools are renovated.

"I still don't think we're done," she said. "I think there will be future enhancements of our schools and our buildings and our district as a whole. Once we are able to start saving some money, I think that's when some exciting things will begin to happen."

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Paducah Sun, Ky.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Paducah Sun

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