Moran moves to save small schools
Teachers and parents react favorably to the recommendation by Albemarle Schools Superintendent Pam Moran to renovate and expand three small southern elementary schools — Yancey, Scottsville and Red Hill — instead of closing or combining them. Her decision places heavy political pressure on School Board members to vote to keep the schools open.
Albemarle County Schools Superintendent Pam Moran is recommending three small schools in southern Albemarle remain open.
Moran made the recommendation to the School Board on Thursday, weeks before the board is scheduled to vote on whether the schools should be renovated and expanded, or consolidated into one or two larger schools.
Moran’s recommendation is a huge victory for parents with students at Red Hill, Yancey and Scottsville elementary schools who’ve rallied behind what they call “community schools.”
Though the School Board basically has the ultimate say on what should be done with the schools — assuming the Board of Supervisors is willing to provide the funding — massive public demand for the small schools to remain open, now coupled with Moran’s recommendation, places heavy political pressure on School Board members’ shoulders to vote for the schools to remain open.
Combined, the three schools have about 525 students.
The old, small schools need some renovations and expansions, to catch up with newer schools in the division and accommodate an expected influx of new students in coming years. But considering, in part, that the small schools are believed to cost more money per pupil than larger schools in the county, officials have floated the idea of consolidating one or more schools.
Though School Board members aren’t planning to vote on what should be done with the schools until Oct. 22, members were far from resistant to Moran’s recommendation.
School Board Chairman Brian Wheeler said he supports Moran’s decision, as did board member Pamela Moynihan. Board member Jon Stokes said he’s “happy with the recommendation,” and members Ronnie Price Sr. and Steve Koleszar had already said prior to the meeting that they were leaning toward voting for the schools to stay open.
After Moran made her recommendation, several dozen members of the audience clapped.
Darcy Byrne, who has a child who attends Scottsville Elementary, said to himself ”yes!” when Moran made her recommendation.
Byrne said in an interview that each individual school is a “central piece to a thriving community.”
“A community school is the integration of the community and the school,” Byrne said.
Moran based her recommendation, in part, on data showing that it would be difficult to build a new school large enough to accommodate all of the students at the existing schools at the proposed site at Walton Middle School. She also said that there is a lack of compelling evidence showing that the size of the schools affects student achievement, and she emphasized the community and historical value of the existing schools.
School officials estimate that it would cost about $17 million to renovate and expand the schools. Building one larger school and closing the existing schools would cost more than $20 million, officials project.
Maintaining the smaller schools is expected to cost about $708,000 more per year than maintaining one large school.
Byrne said the rhetoric of the School Board members indicated that they’re likely going to back Moran’s recommendation.
However, Wheeler said: “We’re not reaching a decision tonight. We still want to have a public hearing.”
A public hearing on what should be done with the small schools is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Monticello High School.
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Reader Reactions
Discussion is useful, and Pam Moran and Bruce Benson’s detailed look has uncovered interesting issues to improve all the schools, not just in the south. The lesson that I hope has been learned is that this information should have been collected near the start of the process. What could have been avoided were decisions based on incorrect and incomplete information, and presentations to the community that came across as insulting and closed-minded.
I hope we have all learned about the character and correct priorities for rural Albemarle through this process. As we move forward, we need our elected officials to remember that these community schools are key to the vitality and future of our County.
That was a huge waste of money. Period. Obviously it saves money when you eliminate a public service for a community, but that does not mean you go closing libraries and post offices and schools. thank you Pam, you have my vote. And the brilliant Lindsay Dorrier who attended every meeting about this, you both really pulled through for your voters. Thank you so much!
I really don’t understand that comment. This kind of discussion and process is healthy—far from wasteful. It seems that some people who pre-emptively skewered Moran on what they percieved to be a done deal, against their POV, have some serious ‘splaining to do. The problems will arise at the BOS level, where we will witness Boyd at his ‘fiscal’ best—ie., ducking the issue with some heavy sidestepping, harumphing, and positioning himself as the stalwart ‘conservative’ who had his hands tied behind his back. Now that the educators, and local residents, have spoken, the kabuki dance begins.
Dance, Kenny, dance.
The first reaction one might have on keeping and consolidating the three small schools (Red Hill, Yancey and Scottsville) is “Glory Be.“ The superintendent took the advice of the community and parents and teachers. She listened.
But let’s put credit where credit is due. Lindsay Dorrier gave Moran plenty of political shelter when he endorsed keeping the schools. So, the decision gets foisted off on the School Board (which will endorse the superintendent’s recommendation)...and then ultimately on the Board of Supervisors, which now has Dorrier on board…if Madison Cummings wins, he’ll be on board too. And probably Dennis Rooker. That leaves only one vote.
Too funny. So much energy and time given to something that no body now seems to support. ACPS at it best!
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