Concerns Begin to Surface About EVSC Plan

EVSC Superintendent Dr. Vince Bertrams recently unveiled strategic agenda is a wide, far reaching blue print aimed at improving the efficiency and educational quality of the corporation. It contains measures to improve early childhood education for economically disadvantaged students, rearranges the leadership structure of the head offices, offers continuing education for teachers, and outlines ways to make the best use of financial resources. But the tenant of the plan that is drawing the most attention is the restructuring of school districts and individual schools. Each of the five districts would see change, but the biggest shake up would happen in the North District. Thats where Bertram envisions a new High School/Middle School complex built in the McCutchanville area, and the transition of old North High School to a middle school. "Its a big shake up," said North District parent Kelly OKeefe. "Some people dont like their feathers ruffled." OKeefe and others want to make sure that the planned changes arent being recommended just for the sake of change. Superintendent Bertram says that is not the case. His office organized 20 forums for parents to come out and voice their concerns about the strategic agenda. Among the things North District parents worry about is the transportation factor. If a new school is constructed in McCutchanville, the students in the southern end of the district would have to be bussed much farther north then they currently travel. If it means alleviating classroom overcrowding, parents like OKeefe say its a worthwhile trade off. There is also concern about the mingling of older and younger students at a combined middle/high school complex. Its the same kind of mixing that might take place at proposed K-8 schools in the Central and Bosse districts, which would replace K-5 schools. "I have a kindergartener now and I would not be excited about my my kindergartener going to class with 8th graders," said OKeefe.