12/6/98
Opelika * Auburn News* THE NEWSPAPER OF EAST ALABAMA*12/6/98
Letter: Auburn City Schools printed false YRS info
In the Nov. 8 issue of the Opelika-Auburn News the Auburn City Schools published an insert, "Perspectives -- "Questions about alternative calendar answered inside." On the next to the last page of questions and answers, in the middle column, was the following paragraph:
"Has any school system that performs higher than ACS implemented an alternative calendar? Yes, Muscle Shoals City Schools. They are ranked eighth in the state on SAT. Hartselle city schools will implement August 1999, they are ranked 10th in the state on SAT. ACS is ranked 11th in the state."
On Nov. 20, Hartselle City Schools, (256) 773-5419, was contacted. Maxine Sanford, secretary in the superintendent's office, stated that Hartselle City Schools are "looking at it (year-round schools/alternative calendar)" but that it "is not planned" at the present time. Their Board of Education meeting on Dec. 14 is scheduled to have parents' input on the topic. No decision is planned for at least five months. It is hard to see how this response could be considered "will implement" an alternative calendar by ACS.
In addition, on Nov. 20, Muscle Shoals City Schools, (256) 389-2600, was called. Mary Boyd, secretary in the superintendent's office, stated that Muscle Shoals City Schools are "on a block system but not on year-round school (or alternative calendar)." This year, Muscle Shoals City School's calendar is only slightly different than Auburn City School's. Three vacation days (Oct. 19-21) are added at the end of the first quarter, and two vacation days (Jan. 19, 20) are added at the end of the second quarter. The result is a one-week shorter summer (11 weeks Muscle Shoals vs. 12 weeks Auburn). This is a far cry from the alternative calendars that Auburn City Schools is proposing, some of which have three week intercessions!
We are greatly distressed that ACS would print yet another example of misleading and false information regarding YRS. Is it any wonder that our trust in Auburn City Schools administration continues to decline?
Steve and Frances StuckwischMichael G. SymuleskiAuburn