On the evening of April 25th, the halls of Andrew Jackson High School were set for a pivotal community forum discussing the future of the local school district and the pressing bond referendum. Despite the low turnout, the event was a beacon of information for those present. Dr. Jeanna Rathel-White attended and offered the following report.
The forum kicked off with a warm meet and greet with the new school superintendent, Dr. Rashad Fitzpatrick, from 5:30 to 6:00 pm, setting a tone of accessibility and openness. As the clock struck 6, the forum began in earnest.
The heart of the discussion centered on a bond proposal to construct a new school capable of accommodating 1,000 students, a response to the burgeoning growth forecasted for the area. This new institution would replace both Kershaw Elementary and Heath Springs Elementary. While the proposal aimed to address the inevitable influx of students, it was met with mixed emotions. Some community members expressed a deep-seated fondness for the small-town charm embodied by the current schools and voiced concerns over losing this intimate atmosphere.
Board members responded with reassurances that the old schools would not be abandoned but repurposed. One promising suggestion was the transformation of one of the buildings into an alternative elementary school, a facility currently absent from the area but deemed necessary.
The question on everyone’s mind was the fate of the district should the bond not pass. The board’s answer was clear: failure to secure the bond would necessitate the acquisition of many portable classrooms and a potential redistricting, a less than ideal solution for all involved.
The forum was a crucial step in bridging the gap between the school board’s vision and the community’s concerns. It underscored the importance of active participation in shaping the educational landscape and left attendees with much to ponder about the path forward.
As the community weighs the pros and cons of the bond referendum, the dialogue opened at the forum will undoubtedly continue to resonate, guiding the decisions that will shape the future of education in Kershaw.
If you missed the forum, you can view the recording of the event at https://vimeo.com/939384437?share=copy.
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