Anti-Consolidation Rally

[1inStripes]

I would hope they would leave the goalposts up for some vertical structure.

[1forall]

Stop crying!! PV is closing.

[collegetrumpet2010]

Stop crying!! PV is closing.

Who's really whining now? We know PV is closing. We accept it. What happened to you Appy folks being determined to keep your bloody school open? You know Appalachia is clossing. I guess as long as you don't have to go to school in BSG then it doesn't make it as severe.

[TheBeast]

I'd like to hop a jig down the steps of the home football stands. Bet all those steps leading from the field to the school would hold bass.

I wouldn't mind trying a crankbait on them as well. The steps the players walk down before games would be a good place as well.

[Merlin]

Maybe us that want consolidation should have our counter rally. I'd be willing to attend.

I'm from the Pound area and long ago realized that my alma mater would be a casualty of the process, but I knew it would eventually happen and hoped whatever the outcome hoped it would be done right -- my interpretation was the original 3-on-3 plan.

Well, now that a "plan" is finally moving forward and if most people are finally realizing that the one of the original multiple site plans is actually the better option (as a lot of us on here have said from day one), then both consolidation supporters and opponents should come together to make a statement at the school board's public hearing at the end of the month telling them so. This doesn't mean a group of 10-15 loudmouths saying the same things every week or so as we've heard for the past few years, but a group of a thousand or more showing solidarity of purpose with a few well spoken, well respected individuals expressing the view of the group. "Please build OUR schools (2 or 3) nearest the population centers of the county to serve those joint communities and not at a central site that most of us do not agree with". Finally a showing of the real majority's willingness to work together for the greater good and not just the constant attempts to stonewall and stop the process by the disgruntled minority. Otherwise, the 2-on-1 plan will definitely go forward. It could possibly work, but I still have my doubts on its effect on the long-term well being of the county's residents, both adults and children.

What does anyone else think?

[retiredteach]

I would say you are right on. Excellent post.

[MapleGap]

Im in agreement with Merlin.

[joe morgan]

The Board of Supervisors are the problem, not the School Board. The SB can only work within the parameters set through the funding the BOS provides. You can't build 3 schools on 3 new sites with $69 million.

You should unite and go to the BOS meeting.

[blitzer44]

If you stop and think, both PV & APPY are already consolidated schools, due to East Sone & Big Stone forming PV in 1959 and with smaller out lying schools coming to Appalachia. Then add intergration in the 1960's and both schools are a combination of several schools.

They are also the most sucessful schools in Wise County in terms of sports and other school activities.

Over the years many APPY/PV families have been formed when people from each community met and married and started famlies. Citizens from both areas are good people and have great kids.

Consolidation is not new to either area, just been a long time ago. I remember my parents talking about the "New School" at PV and the problems they thought it would cause between ESG & BSG. Never happened, the students blended and became a school of it's own. The same thing happened as the smaller schools around APPY came into the town.

Neither community wants to lose it's school, that's for sure, but it may happen. But just think for a minute, if PV & APPY combined, at whatever location, the school would be great in all areas. New name, new colors and whatever was needed to give the new school it's own idenity and it would become a powerhouse in education and sports.

There needs to be a school in the west end of the county to protect all of the traditions and history of both APPY & PV or it will be lost forever. The citizens of both towns need to work to togeather keep a school in the west end of the county. Consolidation is not a done deal, but only public outcry can stop it now.

[solocam]

I agree with you blitzer44. If only Appy residents felt that way about it. I wouldn't care if they built a new school in Appy. Atleast it would be on this end of the county.