Reagan Middle School Boundary Decision Creates Stir, Too Many ‘Limited English Proficiency’ and Poor Children?

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?