I have been a Holt resident for over 20 years and currently have four students in the Holt Public Schools ranging from a preschooler to a senior. In an effort to stay involved in community decisions, I have been attending Holt Public Schools’ community forums, board meetings, and corresponding and communicating with school administration regarding the plan. I didnt agree with it in the beginning. However, as I asked more questions, listened, and gained more information I became an advocate for the school board and administration’s vision for our schools. Sometimes out-of-the-box thinking is necessary in order to find a solution to a problem. Our administration and school board recognized attrition rate of 40% occurring in our high school. Ninth graders were having a difficult time recovering credits as they moved into the high school building and those students struggled. Therefore the opportunity was created to keep the 9th, 10th, 11th graders together to help them recover and achieve the credits necessary to graduate. College courses are now available for our students in our North campus. Not interested? Dont worry its not required for you to take one. However, the school reports about 60 kids are enrolled in these classes, about 18% of the senior student body. We added a second year-round school, offering more choices to our parents. Not interested in a balanced calendar schedule? No problem, we have in-district school of choice. We even offer transportation for one year if possible. But did you know in Mason, there is no in-district School of Choice? You have to attend the school you are zoned for. As is natural, many compare our district to those around us. Look at our neighbors, Okemos, East Lansing, Mason, all of those school districts have closed elementary schools in an effort to save money. Sure, its difficult to close an elementary school as it tugs on the emotions of a community. But like those districts mentioned, they each closed elementary schools and all are now utilized as an early learning center, just like we did to Midway. I walk through those halls every week and there is joy, delight, and enthusiasm in that building and I commend Midway Early Learning Center and their staff for a smooth transition. I fully support Rick Brooks, Fred Ford, John Malatinsky, and Deb Roeske in their re-election campaign. They have made some tough decisions for our schools and there will be more tough decisions ahead. I want EXPERIENCE on our Board of Education, and our children need it.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 04:32:04 +0000
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