So many reasons have been given as to why the move is a bad one. The chronological difference may be the same among kindergarten and sixth graders, and seventh and 12th graders. However, the maturity level is quite different. A 12-year-old is quite different physically and emotionally from an 18-year-old.
Sharing facilities only causes the students to have more of a chance of crossing paths: in the cafeteria, the library, the band room, the gym. The edifice is not designed and can not be designed to separate the grades.
The large group instruction room will be eliminated, and this is the only place, except for the gymnasium, where productions are held. The solution: Move the concerts and plays to the elementary-middle school. The stage there is no better facility than what is at the high school, plus now the issue of transporting students exists. They have been able to practice during their band or drama classes and won't be able to if the move takes place.
What about sports practices? Junior high girls basketball coincides with girls volleyball in the fall. Junior high boys basketball, senior high boys basketball and senior high girls basketball run simultaneously. Transportation to another practice facility and juggling schedules could be a nightmare as well as an expense.
Then there is the issue of the children getting to school. Are the seventh and eighth graders walking? I know years ago students walked to school, but in this day of intimidation and abduction walking may not be a good idea.
People leaving the district is another important issue. Many families who disagree with the move may leave. We need an influx of people into the district not an egress from it. My two daughters, who are career women, say if they lived in the district they would move. Many schools now separate the students instead of merging them. Districts have grades K-4 as elementary, 5-6 as intermediate, 7-8 as middle and 9-12 as high school.
Perhaps this issue shouldn't concern us. With the decisions the district is making and with the way the governor wants school schools to merge, a more important decision may be what name to give to the new merger and what the mascot should be.
Linda Faust
Washington
They can't learn
in a hot building
I agree with Marc Simon's letter about Joe Walker School. I agree that everyone in the McGuffey community should come to the next school board meeting to show support of the board's decision to install air conditioning at Joe Walker.
As a PTO member and volunteer who spends countless hours at the school and a parent of four, I can attest to how hot it gets and that it's hot more than just "a couple days of a year." Last week, my daughter came home to tell me it was 85, 87, 90 degrees in her classroom.
As taxpayers, administrators and school board members, it is our responsibility to make sure all the students in our entire district receive the best education we can provide them. Expecting our students to sit in a classroom that is over 80 degrees all day and be able to concentrate on their work is ridiculous!
When Claysville was built and the high school/middle school renovated, air conditioning was installed. Not only can the students concentrate and do their work, there is less arguing and fighting among them when they are in a favorable learning environment.
Mary Beth Maxwell
Prosperity
Clearly the best
Susan Boyle No. 2? No, she is clearly No. 1. The first place winners were very good, but theirs was a collective talent. Hers is hers alone. I hope she goes on to greater things and continues to entertain us with her angelic voice. She is truly a remarkable talent.
Sandra Dulik
Jefferson