Jefferson County Reassignment Plan (Louisville: appointed, insuring, home)

[anthemgirl007]

Letter I sent to School Board Members is posted below. I would love to get other parents feeling about this. I just feel like there has to be something we can do.
Dear School Board,
I have a been a proud teacher for Jefferson County Public School and have always been resolved that my own children would attend Jefferson Country Public Schools. However, the new district reassignment plan has me questioning that decision. My daughter will be attending Kindergarten and that is big step starting school for the first time. However, instead of just worrying about school, she is going to have to worry about a two hour bus ride from J-town to Preston. I always been told as a teacher that we should put what is in the best interest of students first, and I don’t see how meeting economic quotas is more important than insuring that kids can handle what we are asking them to do. Kindergarten is a long day for new students and now she is being asked to add a two hour bus ride to that day. It’s seems ludicrous when we have four elementary schools right next to us.
I was told just ask for a hardship transfer, especially with my husband and my unique work situation, and you will most likely get it. So I did and got denied. Now I am awaiting a hearing on Wed. However, even if I get the transfer that doesn’t make the situation for all Jefferson County Public School parents fair or the right thing for children. Even if I could get my child to the bus, putting a five year old in that situation is not right. Taking children out of schools that they have been apart of for years is not right. Not allowing students to attend schools in their area is not right. Parents and students want to be involved in their schools, but shipping them across town doesn’t allow for this. As a teacher I have been asked to put my students first and to not leave students behind, but then am being asked to leave my own child behind. I have a hard time with that.
I am currently debating Catholic Schools, which now have a long waiting list, because of the district reassignment plan. I have to be honest that will put a strain on my husband and myself and will be disappointed since I would like to have my daughter in a public school system that I have always been proud of. Or the other possibility is to stop teaching and put my daughter first and home school her. Although, I do think that kids need to interact with other kids. All I know is that I have to put what I feel is best for my daughter first, and the option that Jefferson County Public Schools is leaving me is not it. I really hope that you will rethink this plan and start putting kids needs as the propriety.
I hope you don’t take this letter offensively. On most things I usually agree with your decisions and I know how hard you work. This has not been an easy letter for me to write, but I felt it was important.

Thanks for your time,
Head Art and Photography Teacher at a Jefferson County High School

[missymomof3]

I agree 100% and think your letter is just fine.

[MSL2828]

Hi Anthemgirl007 - That's a great letter. I'll be interested if you get a response from the Board and what they have to say about their new and improved assignment plan. I am in a similar situation and although I am lucky to get into my resides, I have yet another round to go through when I have to reapply for first grade. I emailed my district board member about my disapproval of the assignment plan but have not even gotten a courtesy email back. I read the threads from the MomsLikeMe.com board for Louisville and sounds like there are really a lot of parents who disapprove of this plan, with protests and petitions organized. I am doubtful the board will do anything about this assignment plan. In another thread, someone mentioned to replace board members during their re-election so I am keeping an eye out for anyone that will work for neighborhood schools that will run against existing board members.

Good luck with your appeal process.

[tomocox]

So why aren't JCPS the great schools they could be? It's not all about busing, either.

[johnsonkk]

All good except for the apology sentences at the end.

If they start K-garden at one school, do the have to stay at that school until they reach middle school?

[tigerlillydownunder]

Totally agree with everyone, and also think you should remove the apology from the end. You don't owe them an apology, and your letter is hardly offensive! lol

Hopefully you will get a response; if you do, could you please post it? I'd be very interested in learning how they see fit to respond, if at all.



PS--perhaps a letter writing campaign would help to communicate what parents, teachers and students think about this and how it affects everyone.

[missymomof3]

I guess I haven't said anything about the aopogy since I would have done the same thing lol but I agree, it really isn't owed.

[tigerlillydownunder]

Hopefully something is able to be done about this. It's completely unnecessary and in my opinion is just taking many steps backward.
It's not very pro-active, on any level, that I can think of.