10/21/98
The Auburn Bulletin10/21/98
Letter: Auburn's reputation built upon dedication, traditional approaches
The main question I wish to raise i6 why do the administrators of Auburn's public schools seem compelled to try out so many innovative changes in its school system? Auburn schools have enjoyed a long and excellent reputation. From personal knowledge, I know that even in the 1960s Auburn was known throughout the Southeast for its excellent schools. The excellence existing today does not stem from the present city administration but from many years of dedication by its administrators, board members and parents of the students.
I do not understand why Auburn's present administration seems so committed to change when the schools' have so good a reputation using traditional approaches. The records show that many schools that have tried the year round school approach and have since abandoned it, have done so for valid reasons. Why not learn from their mistakes rather than suffering our own.
At one time Auburn tried the "schools without walls" concept when common sense should have dictated the fallacy of such a concept (were we going back to the one-room schoolhouse?). It did not take long before the error was realized and the walls were constructed.
The most recent innovation has been block scheduling. I do not know how well this is working out, but I question whether it is really possible to keep a student's attention for 90-minute classes. And is it possible to adequately complete a year's course in one semester? Since block scheduling is relatively new to Auburn, why do we need to try still another drastic change?
I would urge those who conduct the town meetings on this subject to allow any and all questions (and rebuttals) from the floor, not limiting participation to written questions. We all know in such cases, screening will go on and little dissent allowed.
I would like to know why we cannot have this issue on the referendum in November. It is of deep concern to all the people in Auburn and should be determined by a city-wide vote.
Just why is there such a rush to implement so drastic a changeÛwhen quite obviouslyÛthere is a hue and cry going up from the parents in Auburn? There is no need to rush into something that will be so disruptive to the entire year. When our children were growing up in Auburn, we relished continuing their education by with trips either to the beach or to something more educationally enriching. They eagerly looked forward to the weeks of Vacation Bible School.
And as they became teenagers, the really rewarding time came with Band Camp, Scout Camp, church camp or private camp. But most of all, summer was a time for family enrichment, unstructured. In these times when families are scattered, it is a time for children to spend with their grand parents or other family members. I cannot believe the arguments for YRS can possibly outweigh the many advantages of the traditional school year.
Ellen W. BallAuburn
Article: School board delays December meeting
By WILLIAM WHITEAuburn Bulletin
Pre-engineering and abstinence education were added to the curriculums of Auburn City Schools by their Board at last week's meeting.
"Project Lead the Way," a pre engineering program, was approved after assurance from superintendent Mick Martin that the curriculum would not require an additional out lay, and would have no budget impact this year.
The Board also approved the abstinence-based curriculum, "Lee County Abstinence Education Project."
At the beginning of the meeting, the Board recognized National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship finalists.
The 1999 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists included: Mark Dryden, Kelly Hamilton, Charles Johnson, Preston Jones, Michael Park, Srilekha Sarathy and Brendan Van Mater.
The 1999 National Achievement Scholarship semi-finalists included: Bamidele Adeyemo, Michael Hamler, Deborah Sodeke and Gabriel Tajeu.
The 1999 National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students included: Ashley Black, Luke Coddington, Joshua Crews, Mark Elton, John Hoerr, Lisa Hwang, McRae Petrey and Deborah Sodeke.
Before about two hours of comments from teachers and others about year-round school, the lack of a playground area and construction delays at the new Yarbrough School, Board president Carol Pittard reassured those there that the Board was in no hurry to make a decision about year-round school.
"We will not rush to judgment, make an uninformed decision or not include the community in the process," Pittard said. "There is no pressure. There is no rush.
"The input of the community, and especially parents, is welcomed and encouraged. Your opinions and concerns are vitally important to us. We do not operate in a vacuum.
"I can assure you this Board will not support any change in our system which is not educationally sound, fiscally responsible and in the best interest of our children."
Peter Jones, secretary of the Yarbrough Elementary School PTA, spoke to the Board about the lack of any playground areas at the new school.
He said students are having to exercise and play in the parking lots.
Martin said both he and the Board were aware of the problems with the contractor and subcontractor related to the playground areas.
In other business, the Board approved final fiscal year 98 budget amendments.
The Board changed its December meeting date from Dec. 8 to Dec. 15.