Published: June 25, 2009 10:31 pm      

Our Readers Speak — June 26, 2009

Vote no for Fayette school consolidation



In 2002, I, along with other citizens in Fayetteville and other citizens groups, Meadow Bridge and Mount Hope to name a few, came together to stop then board superintendent Harry Hoffer and the Fayette County Board of Education from mass consolidation.

In 2007, I decided to run for the Fayette County Board of Education in the Valley District. Nearing the election in 2008, I met with and spoke to Meadow Bridge citizens along with others running for board of education office, and two former board of education members.

I also received several phone calls. In these meetings and in phone conversations, I was urged to drop out of the board of education race. I was told that Leon Newman would be best for this position and was promised by those and Leon Newman that he would not vote to close my school. That was not the case. I was also told that Leon Ivey would be the best candidate for the Plateau and that he would be for community schools. This was not the case either.

After joining with the other citizens groups to stop mass consolidation in the past, a few Fayetteville citizens has asked that all high schools slated for closure/consolidation to come together once again and defeat the Fayette County Board of Education. Several communities have joined together to fight with the exception of one.

The citizens of Meadow Bridge feel at this time they do not need or want to get involved. I guess it is because they are not one of the high school’s slated for closure.

The consolidation of four high schools will affect the entire county.

The Fayette County Board of Education is asking the citizens of Fayette County to pass a bond issue in the amount of $48 million. In these economic times who can afford to pay for that for years to come? Recently, Preston County schools have been taken over by the State Board of Education because of financial statements turned up multiple recordkeeping problems, hiring practices and buildings that have health and safety issues. Not to mention Preston County only has six or seven maintenance workers who are responsible for all facilities for the entire county.

Does this sound familiar? Can the Fayette County Board of Education be trusted? Consolidation of the four high schools will not fix the problems Fayette County faces and will not give our children a better education.

So remember when the election comes around to vote in new Fayette County board members, think about who you can trust to make important decisions for our children and when the time comes to vote for the $48 million bond issue presented by the Fayette County Board of Education, just remember to vote no.



Kelley Weis

Fayetteville