Elena

Updated: Additional info and continued discussion at http://www.pweducation.info/2011/05/reagan-middle-school-boundary-discussion/

From InsideNova

According to White’s presentation, by 2012 Bull Run Middle would be at 147 percent of the school’s 1,233-student capac­ity without Reagan Middle. Gainesvilleand Marsteller Middle Schools will both be more than 30 percent over­populated under the same circumstances.

By following Plan 5, Rea­gan would open at 93 per­cent capacity and would drop Bull Run Middle’s population to 1,122 stu­dents, or 91 percent capaci­ty. Gainesville and Marstell­er would both remain over 100 percent capacity, at 106 percent and 123 percent, respectively.

However, four mothers who have children in the af­fected school zones, voiced objections to Plan 5, mostly due to concerns over the ratios of limited English proficiency (LED) and eco­nomically disadvantaged students (EDS).

“I know it’s important when they come up with these plans to balance these statistics,” said Jill Brown­ing, who has two children attending Gravely Elemen­tary that would eventually go to Bull Run Middle un­der the proposed plan.

This  a public school, and all children have a right to attend.  Going to school is more than just the 3 R’s it is also about becoming a more well rounded human being.  I believe one the of the disadvantages of being in the western end of the county is the lack of diversity, not just ethnicity, but economically.

White’s presenta­tion indeed projects the percentage of LEP students at Bull Run Middle will rise from 3 percent to 14 percent and the ratio of EDS — stu­dents who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches — will almost double, from 12 percent to 23 percent.

Reagan Middle would open at 4 percent LEP and 8 percent EDS.

Clearly, there is a proportional difference, but I believe that Bull Run has an advantage in their diversity, one that I hope Reagan Middle School will reach one day in the near future. These moms are not happy to have this diversity at their school. I wonder how they would feel if their kids attended some other middle school?

53 Thoughts to “Reagan Middle School Boundary Decision Creates Stir, Too Many ‘Limited English Proficiency’ and Poor Children?”

  1. Bob in Dominion Valley
    May 23, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Piedmont’s speakers did themselves no favors by essentially whining about the minority numbers and EDS numbers every time their side spoke. That’s not enough to overcome the other neighborhood who have been moved over 10 times in as many years. Piedmont didn’t waste their time, but when you’re only compliant is the numbers (which are way less than other parts of the county) and the other side had five or six valid arguments, it’s not enough.

    @Alanna

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