HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 11-14 H'wood, Harmony to close THE REVIEW Nay X41, / °2 '
H wood Harmonyto cclose
By FORREST PETERSON
impact;" meanwhile, he said, the by 1983 if the remaining seven were used Webster or Weaver.
After months of hearings,meetings and proposed Dist. 622 grade organization for kindergarten through fifth grades The attendance area boundaries of all
study,the Dist.622 school board Nov.7 study committee could work on a long only. nine remaining elementary schools will
voted 4-3 to close Hazelwood and Har- range plan. Without the total plan,Haak said,the be adjusted following a detailed study by
mony Elementary Schools at the end of Haak said she opposed the recom- district will face a"real severe dilemma" school administrators and parents.
the current school year because of mendation because it did not address the because of the effect on students who The district administration has
declining enrollment. issue of grade organization."We should would attend different schools each year estimated that closing one elementary
The split vote followed an attempt by have stuck with the original decision"on for several years. school saves about$90,000.
board members Charles Wiger, Bette grade organization that the school board One of the main concerns expressed by Board member Robert Hansen made a
Haak,and Bruce Beck to delete Harmony made Sept.27,and later rescinded Oct.4. several board members and several in the motion to substitute Webster for Har-
from the recommendation. audience was that both Harmony and mony in the recommended motion,but it
"THE BEST SOLUTION at this time is The original decision called for moving Hazelwood were the only schools in a died for lack of a second.
to close two schools,"said board member ninth graders to the senior high buildings large area in the northwest corner of the WEBSTER SCHOOL,2170 E.7th Ave.,
William Lester. "We have to bite the and sixth graders to the junior high district. North St.Paul,was on the original list of
bullet and do it now so we can get on with buildings beginning next school year. BOTH IN MAPLEWOOD,Harmony is schools considered for closing next year.
the business of educating students." Responding to pressure from parents who located at 1961 E.Co.Rd.C.;Hazelwood Beck said he was glad that it was dropped
Prior to the vote on the closings,Wiger opposed it,the board Oct.4 decided to is located at 2696 Hazelwood Ave. from consideration, explaining that he
proposed the amendment to delete delay for one more year the portion in- Closing them means that students in the thought it would be a mistake to close
Harmony,which was defeated 3-4. volving sixth graders. Harmony area must attend Webster, "one of our best buildings."
He explained that closing only one According to the original plan,a total of Cowem,or Richardson schools next year;
school would have the "least negative four elementary schools could be closed those in the Hazelwood area will attend Continued on page 3
• Schools . . . From Page 1
y. Questions of safety were raised Haak,and Wiger.
N. regarding Harmony and Hazelwood "The big thing I see is program,"
because some students would have to Hansen said before the vote.He said the
®bused across Highway 36. However, a district could have and should have closed
report that there have been no serious, one elementary school when it was
• and few minor,accidents involving school considered last year. The money that
buses on busy streets in recent years would have been saved could have been
apparently answered thosequestions for used for educational programs."We have
school board members. to think of overall benefits to all
Hansen said he proposed his amend- students,"Hansen said.
ment because it would leave open one of NOW THAT THE schools have been
the schools north of Highway 36.He added named,much work lies ahead before the
that the criteria for evaluating schools for closings actually occur.In addition,the
closing should be changed next year if a on-going work toward a grade
third school must be closed. organization plan will continue.
ALL 11 elementary schools in the The board approved the establishment
district were evaluated earlier this fall by of a study committee to compare five
a committee of principals and interested alternatives for housing sixth, seventh
parents.The schools were ranked in 10 and eighth graders in such areas as
areas;Hazelwood and Harmony received curriculum,staffing,facilities,tran-
the lowest overall rankings. sportation, teacher certification,
Haak emphasized. however, that the emotional and social effect, cost com-
rankings are not to be interpreted that parison,and discipline.
some schools are better or worse than the This week board members are expected
others. to submit names of 14 district residents
"All schools are on an equal par as far for appointment to the committee.Also on
as curriculum offered and staffing,"she the committee will be two principals,two
said. teachers,two students,and one liaison to
UNTIL THE FINAL HOUR, board be selected by the district executive
chairman Bell said he favored closing council.
only one school this year.After grappling According a preliminary timeline,the
with the issue on the eve of the school committee will present its first report to
board meeting, Bell said he finally the board Dec.20.
reconsidered his position and changed his
mind in favor of closing two schools. Snnwei a+.' -
Bell said he was convinced that the
remaining nine schools would have plenty
of room for all elementary students.Bell
said he thought it would be in the best
interests of the entire district to close the
two schools.
On both questions—the one to amend,
and the one to adopt the original motion—
Bell was put on the spot to cast the
deciding votes.
On the main question—to close Har-
mony and Hazelwood schools—the roll
call vote was: For — Bell, Hansen,
Lester,and Sandberg;Against—Beck,