12/3/98

Opelika * Auburn News
* THE NEWSPAPER OF EAST ALABAMA*
12/3/98

Letter: Survey disgusts reader, resident

An open letter to Dr. Mick Martin:

I am writing in regard to Year-Round School ~YRS). I have lived in this community for over 11 years and have found this to be the most divisive issue regarding the city since I have lived here.

It is quite obvious from the public outcry that the majority of people in Auburn do not want YRS. Just look at the signs all over town, the passion in the letters to the paper and over 2,000 names on a petition as examples.

Also, I know for a fact that the majority of the Auburn City Council are against YRS. I have person ally spoken with two members of the Council, and they are very opposed to YRS and will not support any funding directed at YRS. Why is the issue still being vigorously pursued? My concern is that YRS will be 'pushed-through" in spite of what the majority of people in Auburn want.

We already have one of the best school systems in the state. One of the main reasons for this is the involvement of the community with the schools. The passage of YRS will create much distrust in the School Board and your office, and make it difficult for you to get more funding and projects for the Auburn City Schools and may eventually hurt our state standing. I can guarantee you that if YRS passes, your interactions with the public in Auburn will become increasing(ly) strained.

The survey that is being passed out will not prove anything positive or negative. It is very biased in nature towards YRS, has not been pretested, does not break down among economic or racial strata and has not been conducted in an impartial way. I am also disgusted how the survey was presented to the school kids. The teachers talked about the fact that the kids would get more vacation time, etc. My son said that they emphasized the advantages of YRS, not traditional school calendar. Obviously, this biased the survey and influenced the way the kids voted.

It is up to you to do the right thing and drop the issue of YRS. It is dividing the community. This is not good. "A house divided will not stand." We all want our kids to get the best education possible. Let's work on other more important issues such as reducing teacher/student ratios, offering more after-school programs, etc. Thank you for your consideration of my letter.

Arthur H. Chappelka
Auburn