The Red Clay Consolidated School District is holding a Capital Referendum on February 28, 2012. Included in this referendum is the addition of another new suburban elementary school.
Let me begin by saying that I wouldn’t have a problem with the new school if Red Clay would ensure that its other schools didn’t suffer when a new school opened. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case.
In the past 10 days my email has been filled with letters from community advocates and parents from the Highlands, Warner and Shortlidge community. Everyone has the same concern: New schools hurt existing schools, especially city schools. The evidence backs up their concerns.
Take a look at one of the FAQs and response on Red Clay’s referendum site:
1. What happens if it [referendum] doesn’t pass?
Adjust feeder patterns at elementary schools, reconsider BSS K-8, remove programs at city schools (Pre-K, Parent Centers, Boost Up, Small Class Size).
Why wouldn’t all Red Clay Schools be subject to program cuts? Why just city schools?
I have a question… Wouldn’t funding for programs come out of operating expenses, not capital expenses? Remember, there are two types of referendums: Capital – which covers renovations and building, and Operating – which covers funding for programs, technology, etc. I do understand that the two effect each other, but I still don’t see why city schools, and only city schools, lose programs due to capacity. Unless… they intend to remove those programs to make room for more traditional classrooms? Which is feasible since Warner is drastically under capacity, but I’m unsure as to who would fill those additional classrooms.
Unless… this is just a warning to suburban parents? Vote for the referendum or we’ll bus you into the city.
Well… hey… lookie here. Red Clay has updated the answer to the question. It now reads:
We would need to consider a number of options.
• Readjusting feeder patterns in most of our elementary schools to shift the population to our schools in the city. This would be disruptive to all of our schools, and impact important programs in place at our city schools.
• Reconsider the BSS K-8 model.
• Continue to rent trailers, and add additional trailers
As a city resident I’m all for option number one, but I get that this is designed to have suburban parents running to the voting booths in support of the referendum. Vote yes, or else we’ll put your kid on a bus and send them to one of those scary city schools. Nice. Remember this the next time Red Clay uses the slogan It’s for the Children. That slogan should have an asterisk at the end of it.
Now let’s take a look at the history. Old schools take a hit when new schools open. Brandywine Springs Elementary opened in September 2000 as a K-5 school. Let’s take a look at Warner in the years leading up to that opening. (All info posted below is available at: State of Delaware School Profiles)
Warner:
1997 – 1998 906 students (3rd-5th) 37.4% Low Income 9.3% Special Ed
1998 – 1999 855 students (3rd-5th) 32.2% Low Income 10.3% Special Ed
1999 – 2000 823 students (3rd-5th) 34.9% Low Income 10.6% Special Ed
Side note: 800 – 900 students between 1997 and 2000 doesn’t seem to give credence to the District’s lack of capacity claim, especially since Warner’s current enrollment is 555 students. The proposed new school will hold 600 students. And please keep in mind that the Neighborhood School’s Law does not require building new schools.
Now let’s take a look at what happened to Warner when RCCD opened new schools:
Brandywine Springs opens in 09/2000 and Warner looks like this:
2000 – 2001 600 students (1st-5th) 51.3% Low Income 12% Special Ed
North Star Opened in September 2005. Look at Warner for this year:
2005 -2006 686 students (K-5th) 82.1% Low Income 10.6% Special Ed
And what does Warner look like this year?
2011 – 2012 555 students (K -5th) 87.4% Low Income 16.6% Special Ed
Take a look at where our city schools were the year before Brandywine Springs opened and where they are now:
Highlands:
1999 – 2000 348 students (K-3rd) 44.8% Low Income 6.9% Special Ed
2011-2012 367 students (K-5th) 83.4% Low Income 10.9% Special EdShortlidge:
1999 – 2000 483 students (K-4th) 70.8% Low Income 8.9% Special Ed
2011 – 2012 311 students (K-5th) 90.4% Low Income 12.9% Special EdWarner:
1999 – 2000 823 students (3rd-5th) 34.9% Low Income 10.6% Special Ed
2011 – 2012 555 students (K -5th) 87.4% Low Income 16.6% Special Ed
How are Red Clay’s new schools doing?
Brandywine Springs Elementary:
2011 – 2012 1088 students (K-8th) 14.5% Low Income 6.1% Special EdNorth Star Elementary:
2011 – 2012 735 students (K-5th) 3.9% Low Income 3.8% Special Ed
Does this look fair to anyone? And I didn’t even get into minority breakdowns. But Kilroy has an interesting post up on his blog titled: Conrad Continues To Shed Black Students. Kilroy’s blog is a font of information.
And the programs the District proposes to cut if the capital referendum fails will come from city schools?
And it’s not just city schools. Some older suburban schools have taken the hit from the new schools as well.
Here’s my question: Should Red Clay be allowed to open another new school without a serious plan designed, funded, and put in place, to help its other schools?
And why wouldn’t they at least try and make city schools more desirable to suburban parents? Why not house a full time Talented and Gifted program at one of their city schools? The Brandywine School District does this at Claymont Elementary and P.S. duPont Middle School. Their IB (International Baccalaureate) program at Mount Pleasant High School. All of these programs have one thing in common: They are located in schools that were struggling for diversity and lack of students from higher socio-economic backgrounds. Surely, Red Clay could learn something from Brandywine?
Here’s my last question: Why would any city resident vote for this referendum? Can anyone provide a reason?