2008 Woodie Awards
Three schools close in Christina School District
Vivienne Dobbs
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Online
The Christina Board of Education passed a proposal, in a 5 to 2 vote late Tuesday evening that will result in closing three schools and reallocating funds around the district.
The plan, titled "Facilities Usage Strategy," will close three intermediate schools in downtown Wilmington - Elbert Palmer, Stubbs and Palaski - by 2010. The plan has been in development since mid-October.
Wilmington residents were not satisfied with the decision and voiced their opinions during and after the announcement. City officials asked the board to reconsider the plan.
Wilmington Mayor James Baker publicly announced potential litigation against Christina if the plan were to pass.
"You won't have to worry about, 'Are we going to court?' " Baker said. "You dag-gone will."
Jea Street, New Castle County councilman, issued a letter explaining his opposition to the proposal.
"The district's Facilities Usage Strategy is a violation of the Neighborhood Schools Act because of its disproportionate impact and unfair burden on children in the city of Wilmington," Street stated in the letter.
The overriding concern among Wilmington's residents at the meeting was the disruption to community development the closures will cause.
Tyrone Jones, Wilmington resident and member of Metropolitan Urban League, said the plan would displace students in their own neighborhoods.
"Why do city children seem to have to pay the price when it comes to spending the most years away from their communities?" Jones said.
Mindy Cox, Region III Parent Teacher Association council president, said the PTA is in full support of Christina's proposal to close the Wilmington-based schools.
"It is our belief that the decision to move forward with this strategic plan has become a necessity for the survival of this district," Cox said.
The plan's development team included a caveat stating the plan could be suspended for one year, depending on the external funding acquired.
Though adamant about the re-allocation of Christina's funding, superintendent of Christina School District, Lillian Lowery, said she is sure the district will work with the community to reach a suitable solution contingent upon the district's ability to receive funds.
"If there are other alternatives, fine," Lowery said. "We don't want to be caught standing still."
The plan, titled "Facilities Usage Strategy," will close three intermediate schools in downtown Wilmington - Elbert Palmer, Stubbs and Palaski - by 2010. The plan has been in development since mid-October.
Wilmington residents were not satisfied with the decision and voiced their opinions during and after the announcement. City officials asked the board to reconsider the plan.
Wilmington Mayor James Baker publicly announced potential litigation against Christina if the plan were to pass.
"You won't have to worry about, 'Are we going to court?' " Baker said. "You dag-gone will."
Jea Street, New Castle County councilman, issued a letter explaining his opposition to the proposal.
"The district's Facilities Usage Strategy is a violation of the Neighborhood Schools Act because of its disproportionate impact and unfair burden on children in the city of Wilmington," Street stated in the letter.
The overriding concern among Wilmington's residents at the meeting was the disruption to community development the closures will cause.
Tyrone Jones, Wilmington resident and member of Metropolitan Urban League, said the plan would displace students in their own neighborhoods.
"Why do city children seem to have to pay the price when it comes to spending the most years away from their communities?" Jones said.
Mindy Cox, Region III Parent Teacher Association council president, said the PTA is in full support of Christina's proposal to close the Wilmington-based schools.
"It is our belief that the decision to move forward with this strategic plan has become a necessity for the survival of this district," Cox said.
The plan's development team included a caveat stating the plan could be suspended for one year, depending on the external funding acquired.
Though adamant about the re-allocation of Christina's funding, superintendent of Christina School District, Lillian Lowery, said she is sure the district will work with the community to reach a suitable solution contingent upon the district's ability to receive funds.
"If there are other alternatives, fine," Lowery said. "We don't want to be caught standing still."
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