Schools

Parents Ask Board About Future of Regency Park Elementary

Plum School Board officials say they haven't discussed the matter yet.

Parents of students who attend Regency Park Elementary School in Plum are concerned their neighborhood school is going to close.

School board members say a lot of the concern and anxiety over the issue has been caused by rumors and speculation because the board has yet to discuss the matter.

Several parents attended the school board meeting Tuesday night hoping for some answers.

In February, a study of custodial and maintenance services by Frombach Consulting in Brentwood stated that operating costs for the school, which has the smallest enrollment with 295 students, were higher than the other four elementary schools on the district.

Parent Mike Fischer said he would be interested in studying the data used to determine the efficiency of the different schools in the feasibility study.

"The one thing we have going around is a lot of rumors and such, but we don't have any data," he said. "If we can see that, maybe parents will feel a little bit more at ease with what's going on and where their kids' future is going to be in terms of education."

Board members Jeff Matthews and Kevin Dowdell said the board hasn't had any discussions about the future of the school. Dowdell said it might be a topic at upcoming finance and facility committee meetings when the budget process is over.

Parent Lisa Callaghan said she appreciates the board's willingness to discuss the issue at upcoming meetings, but she hopes the format is more of a dialogue among residents and the board.

"We love Regency Park school," Callaghan said. "Every child feels special there. Every child is known by every teacher."

She said she finds it hard to believe that officials haven't had some sort of conversation about a possible closure.

School board member Andy Drake said officials are not talking about the future of the school behind closed doors.

"There's no conspiracy here," he said. "We have not had a board discussion regarding what to do with Regency.

"That's a long-term planning activity we have not entered into yet. Second of all, we're not responsible for rumors…I have no idea where they are coming from."

Callaghan said action in the district speaks loud enough.

She said enrollment at the school has been declining throughout the years because the district has been reducing the number of classes. Currently, there is one class each of 25 students in kindergarten and first grade.

Next year, Callaghan said, there only will be one second grade classroom in the school.

"Those aren't rumors," she said. "We're not really getting answers as to why (that is)."

Students who meet the registration cut off must attend a different school. Callaghan said that doesn't make sense for parents with multiple children, even though the district has offered to allow the siblings to attend the same school.

She said parents get in line to enroll their children and ensure they have a spot at the school.

"I got there at 7:30 (a.m.) and my child was number 24," Callaghan said. "That's ridiculous. People were there at three in the morning to register their kindergartener."

Parent Sandra Gartland said she'd be concerned about what would be placed at the school's location if it were to close because it is nestled into the neighborhood. She said if it gets to that point, the board should work with the community to determine the best fit.

Board member Sal Colella thanked the residents for speaking about their concerns and applauded their effort to save their school. He encouraged them to continue to do so.

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