http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tr...2-19-0006.html
Residents protest school consolidation
Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 - 12:00 AM
BY Kathy Still
Staff Writer
Dozens of residents from Wise County communities urged the School Board Monday night to shelve any consolidation plans for the county's high schools, and some St. Paul students have asked Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates to join efforts to keep their school open.
Residents of St. Paul, Pound and Appalachia said consolidation of the six high schools would not improve the county's financial problems and would destroy the communities.
Bob Harrison, a member of the St. Paul Industrial Development Authority, said it is already difficult to lure new business to the small town because the community has no cell-phone service, no wireless Internet and no motel.
"It is even a long distance phone call to our county seat in Wise,"? Harrison said. "The one thing that we do have is our excellent schools."?
Harrison suggested the board explore alternatives to consolidation, including only building new schools where needed and repairing the others.
The School Board is considering whether to renovate the six high schools or build one, two or three high schools instead. Cost estimates range from around $80 million to more than $100 million.
Residents successfully fought a consolidation move several years ago, but the recent election has talk circulating again about possible school closures.
Residents of Appalachia, St. Paul and Pound have been holding community meetings to counter any consolidation move and to develop action plans. A common plan was to take their message to the School Board.
Peggy Jordan Austin of St. Paul said she understands that some county schools are in disrepair and need renovation.
"What I don't understand is why St. Paul High School needs to be closed to make this happen,"? she said. "Keep St. Paul High open and preserve the town of St. Paul."?
Ann Gregory, a former School Board member and St. Paul businesswoman, asked each board member to attend public hearings in all six communities before making any decisions.
Terry Burton, a St. Paul Elementary student, asked the board to visit each school before making a decision.
"You need to see what assets you will be throwing away,"? he said.
Suzy Harrison, also of St. Paul, said Appalachia, Pound and St. Paul high schools are the only county schools to make USA Today's bronze list of top national high schools. Closing the schools would be an embarrassment to the board, she said.
Drew Mullins, a St. Paul junior, presented the board with information on the accomplishments of his high school. He also told the board that 250 students have sent letters to talk show host Winfrey and Gates, a billionaire businessman and philanthropist, asking for assistance in keeping their school open. Gates established a foundation that touts the benefits of small schools.
Angela Honeycutt of Appalachia said small schools keep children well-rounded and help keep communities involved.
"We want to keep our high schools open,"? Honeycutt said.
Harold Greear, a Pound resident, said consolidation would do nothing but give residents a larger tax bill.
"We'll probably end up with the biggest tax increase in history,"? Greear said. "It's absolutely ridiculous."?
Danny Stallard, who supports consolidation and ran an unsuccessful bid for a School Board seat a few years ago, said the county simply can't afford to keep six high schools open for slightly more than 2,000 students.
"All we need are two modern, up-to-date high schools. The students would love it,"? he said as the crowd laughed.
The School Board was not slated to take any action on possible closings Monday night, but did hear a report regarding the operating expenses for renovated and new schools.
Bookmarks