Don’t Put Those Signs Away Yet
Reunited
Peaches and Herb
I was a fool to ever leave your side
Me minus you is such a lonely ride
The breakup we had has made me
Lonesome and sad
I realize I love you
‘Cause I want you bad, hey, hey
providing parents with the truth about the public education system
5 comments
Well, PPS promised to fund Jeff and Roosevelt the same level as any other HS even though they predicted the student population would be less. The board is now wondering how they can come up with the money to fullfill their promises. In 2011, who will remember these promises? If Jeff and Roosevelt do not get what they need for a comprehensive school, who will follow through with the funding. 2011 will be so bad because the ARRA money will be gone and HS new configuration will start and the money won’t be there for everything!
I watched the work session on the PPS channel this afternoon (yes, exciting!) and I liked seeing how they were really questioning how the 8 school model would work. I did not get the impression that any of the board members are sold on this model. My bets are that they will close Jefferson..which I personally think is also the best choice.
portlandfamily, why do you think closing Jefferson is the best choice?
Hi Carrie. Thanks for providing this great forum!
Why do I think closing Jefferson is the best choice? Because I don’t have trust or faith in PPS to really make the massive overhaul happen–there are too many obstacles in the way. The proposal appears to be setting up Jeff and Roosevelt from the start with the proposed 8 school plan, since it will NOT provide enough students to be as comprehensive as the other schools in Portland. 900-1000 students is their BEST estimate, and that just isn’t enough. I truly fear that if they try to make Jefferson a comprehensive it will fail due to the inequity from the get-go, as well as families that will be aprehensive about buying into it and trusting that it will succeed, and will bail on this city and/or part of town.
The option of seven schools with Jefferson closing would pump up the attendance numbers at all of the other schools, and therein allowing for more electives, stronger schools. Jefferson seems to naturally fit with being a focus school for the middle college program, and dance/arts.
I’ve heard the arguement that closing Jefferson would be a bad choice because it “takes away our neighborhood school feeling”. But seriously, how much of a ‘neighborhood school’ is Jefferson with it’s bismal capture rate and failing status? People have lost their faith in this school. I do live in the Jefferson Cluster, and have children whose future is at stake here.
I wish that I had a crystal ball to project into the future about 10 years. I sure don’t want it to be a case of ‘told you so!” True change comes with a price, but it also can come with great rewards for our amazing city.
I have a hard time believing that the Boise-Eliot and Humboldt neighborhoods would scream too loudly against being rezoned for Lincoln–which is what would happen under the 7A plan.
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