Both schools have a long history of educating children over many, many years and generations in the downtown area. The move to close the schools has been rumored for several years and if Melin's plan comes to fruition it will end an era as well as force many children now within walking distance to be bused to schools well away from their residence.
It seems strange to the BatBlog that just when downtown is the middle of a huge revitalization that includes bringing a large number residential units to the area, that this decision would be made. It seems to us the potential savings ??? cited by Melin for the move doesn't out weigh the disruption and inconvenience imposed on residents and their children.
The GCCS board has pretty much been a rubber stamp for Melin, but lets hope on this occasion they stand up for the students and the taxpayers they are supposed to be representing. Bigger isn't always better and the charm and tradition of these schools along with the wishes of parents , students and taxpayers need to be took into consideration on this matter...
They won't stand up to him unless it is clear they will lose their seats for these votes.
ReplyDeleteAn overwhelming public response is needed. The good news is that seems to be happening.
They got those yellow petitions signed by lying. No one likes liars.
WHY.....does everbody put up with 'is dude?....
ReplyDeleteWHY....don' sumbody jus' knock'im the phek out?
An' I won' even go inta whut'chall pay 'is fool....
when ya let azzholes....stomp on ya, an' run ya the phek over.....ya d'serve whut'cha git....
Yeah you could hire some Jackleg for a fraction of what they pay Melin to make stupid decisions like this....
ReplyDeleteTake short look'it whut go'n on with the UofL $$ fiasco......this's a short scale o' the same shizz.....
Deleteschool system(s) .....is 1 the big'st thieve'n, x'tortion games go'n....
property tax's, 'at they STEAL, an' RAPE they funds from......is GROSSly overpriced.....2K a yr fer me.....an' I ain' even GOT no kids in'is system, an' NEVER DID have any go'n ta school here....
If I could.....rip people off with bullshizz fees here....bullshizz fee's ther....I'da been a RICH sunvagun.....a lonnnng time ago....
look'it EVERbody.....'at don' even have kids in school no more, or never did have....
it'a $$$ funnel.....
an' IMO......TEACHERs......are UNDERpaid, 'specially with whut they put up with....
DeleteOK I'll take the job for 1/3 of what he's getting :-)
ReplyDeleteEven if one doesn't have kids, helping to fund the school system has always been seen as a civic duty. Well educated children usually grow up to productive people. So the thought is everyone benifits from supporting schools. However, schools have become way to political and into social reforms. Also, schools should be able to get rid of ineffective teachers. The definition of insanity is to keep doing what doesn't work.., and what we are doing has been proven not to work.
ReplyDeleteThe school board hired Melin and to go against him would be admitting they made a mistake in hiring him. Therefore he has that "rubber stamp" mentality in the decisions and planning. If people really want change the first move is to remove the board from office.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the kids!
ReplyDeleteThis the second super and board to look at closing Maple. Maybe there is actually something there.
ReplyDeleteHow old is Maple school? Maybe that has something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteYale University is over 200 years old and one of the top colleges in America...age has nothing to do with the ability to educate...
DeleteI was referring to the condition of the building. Perhaps it is in poor repair it would cost 40 fix it then it would to replace it
DeleteWell maybe Yale has been kept up. Maybe we are more concerned with the little children who are in that unsafe building.
DeleteOnly on this site and the CCC do I see the same handful of people constantly criticizing the Super and the Board. The idea that everyone on the board "Rubber Stamps" him is simply wrong. Give these people some credit. They are all well educated people with their own minds. Being on the Board is not something any of them need, as most have very well paying jobs. They chose to give of their time and know there are going to be naysayers who have nothing better to do than gripe about everything. Run for the Board and if the public thinks you deserve it, you will get a seat. Otherwise, all of this rhetoric gets old, and it accomplishes nothing. Instead of being a part of the problem, be a part of the solution (and that means doing more than just getting on forums and blogs to gripe).
ReplyDeleteThe criticism is well founded and quite prevalent among a good portion of the public. As witnessed by how the recent referendum crashed and burned by a landslide vote. There are many well intentioned parents and voters that have expressed their dissatisfaction in public and social media which is well within their rights as Americans.
DeleteI think past history and votes have confirmed the "rubber stamp" label for Melin is merited. I don't have a dog in this current fight other than being a taxpayer, but I know for a fact that closing these two schools is not in the best interest of, or the wishes of the parents and students involved. The parents, students, and taxpayers are who the school board are supposed to represent not Melin. If they (the board) vote along with Melin they will be turning their backs to their constituents plain and simple....
Not that many people got out and voted at all. And just because it was voted down does not mean people are dissatisfied with the Board. It just means they allowed a small group of people use scare tactics on them. Some have no ability to think for themselves. I just don't see those complaining as any majority, perhaps you could show us where this is taking place besides CCC and here...and one site on Facebook by the same 2 women. One of who still has sour grapes when she was not voted on the Board by the people. I think most on the Board do represent those who need them the most, the children. I think those two schools should have been gone long ago. JMO
DeleteEastlawn was supposedly old and in too poor of condition to be used as a school.
ReplyDeleteKids are still being taught there. Little kids.
Yes I am a proud East lawn alumni :-) that building has been used for something other than the school for 20 years at least.
DeleteRight. Still partially a school though. It is and has been sound enough to house Head Start for decades.
DeleteDoes it finally have air conditioning?? Because when my children went there it did not, and they were miserable. Just because a building is still being used does not make it safe or healthy. I would not want to send my little one there, no way. But when services are being offered for free, it is amazing how some people will ignore the risks.
DeleteIf any school isn't safe then the administration and school board isn't doing their jobs. Safety should be priority one and that hasn't been mentioned by Melin he only mentioned saving money. If safety was an issue you would hear an out roar from parents that hasn't been the case.
Deletethis is a HORRIBLE decision.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing unsafe about either of these school. The parents overwhelmingly want them to remain open and the board should stand by their wishes.
ReplyDeleteBy "parents"...you mean you. Where is the Petition from the majority of the parents who want these unsafe buildings to remain open? First of all you are no building inspector, and second you do not speak for everyone in Jeffersonville.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you do some research before you start running your mouth? The parents don't want the school to close. That's why when Melin tried to get the first referendum to pass that would have closed the school he parents threw a fit and he changed it to not close the school.
DeleteIt's asinine to label these schools as "unsafe". It would be criminal if the super and school board allowed children to be schooled in an "unsafe' atmosphere for even one minute.
DeleteWhy don't you try hard to not be nasty. I have as much right to my opinion as you do. When it comes to doing research where did you do yours? Please be specific how you can prove that these two schools are safe and that the majority of parents in the area want it to stay closed. I will be checking in occasionally to see where that proof is. :)
ReplyDeleteREAD, LISA. The parents want it to stay OPEN. Would you like proof? I just said it. The parents threw a fit the first time Melin said it was going to be closed down. Then he changed his mind for the time being. I live close to the school and parents are always walking to pick up their kids or go to games or after school activities because many families don't have the luxury of two cars. Also, a previous poster put up building reports and statistics about the cost of updating schools. If you don't like me giving you attitude start reading a little bit. I'm not asking you to do much, just read before you start giving your "expert" opinion. I will be checking in occasionally to see if you have learned to educate yourself.
DeleteWell oh mighty wise one, looks like your infamous Mayor thinks its a good idea to close the old schools too. Just waiting for you to start singing a new tune now.
Deletesinging a new tune? I'd say it's a good. I promise. Again, you show how ignorant you are. I recommended that parents walk their kids to school and the proximity makes it possible for families and children make it possible to be more involved at the school. Moore wants a downtown school. If the schools ARE unsafe (according to Melin who is SO trustworthy) Moore wants another new downtown school and not move all the kids at maple and Spring Hill out of the area. Didn't I say how it would hurt families who can't walk their kids to school? Isn't Moore trying to work with Greater Clark to have a downtown school? Sit down, Lisa. You're embarrassing yourself.
Delete"Sit down, Lisa. You're embarrassing yourself."
DeleteLol. Sweet of you to try to help her, but she went beyond embarrassing years ago.
Logic doesn't apply, and she has GCCS family she will defend for whatever to the point of embarrassing them.
Talking to a wall will be more fruitful and enjoyable.
Do you all ever mature? It looks like after all these years you would stop your anonymous name calling. Grow some balls. If you have something to say to me personally, at least make it a fair playing field. Otherwise, stop your middle school mentality of name calling. I cannot imagine either of you being parents to some poor child. I wonder if you also teach them to call names when someone doesn't agree with them. Good grief.
DeleteI have see you say some pretty terrible things on here. You ARE ignorant. You aren't knowledgeable about what you're talking about. You aren't reading any files related to the schools that have been posted on here. You are content to know very little if anything and instead of changing that, you continue to just talk and talk without knowing what you're talking about. That is the definition of ignorance. It's not name-calling for the sake of name calling, it's the truth.
DeleteJust as I thought, no real substance so if you don't like what I post, ignore it. I have a sneaking suspicion that If I had come on this blog and started calling names I would have been called out immediately. But, nonetheless you have your opinion and I have mine, I just have no problem identifying myself and not hide behind anonymous. You keep on being the big talker. lol
DeleteJust like so thought, you hide behind your ignorance and keep on talking when you don't know what is going on. Did you ever think that some remain anonymous because they have someone who could be hurt by all of this?No, you don't, because you can't look past your own ignorance.
DeleteSomeone who uses the same word "ignorance" as much as you do, must certainly identify with it. You have proven you cannot have an intelligent conversation like a real grown up so I am done with you.
DeleteIt just describes you so perfectly.
DeleteWhat a mature, grown up thing to say! Bless your heart.
DeleteI am far from a busy body, but I do know a couple from the CCC and some Facebook page where all they do is gripe about Melin and the Board...perhaps you know that one..lol!!
DeleteYou're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. You have no idea what you're talking about and you run your mouth anyway. That is a busybody.
DeleteAnd you are intolerant of anyone having an opinion other than your own, and that makes you a hypocrite. Now why don't you just move along unless you have something significant to say. I could really care less what an "anonymous poster" who has no balls to use their real name has to say. You are just another coward behind the keyboard.
DeleteSafe or unsafe isn't even in the equation,safety hasn't even been mentioned in ANY of the press releases or media reports. Melin is spouting out about the money that can be saved and the size (smallness) of the schools restricts some of the programs that are offered at the larger schools.
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing this is a done deal, if this board stands up to Melin it will be the first time and it's not going to happen. My grandchildren are in West Clark so this doesn't effect me one way or another.
Just another case of the little guys getting shafted by those who are supposed to be in their corner and represent them IMO...
I know it looks grim, but I refuse to give up. Our downtown is thriving, new restaurants are booming, people feel safe and happy. Our real estate market is "hot". I appreciate the Greater Clark school boards concern for the financial bottom line, but ask that they not ignore the growth that our downtown is experiencing. I had a productive meeting with Dr. Melin this afternoon. I made my sales pitch and he made his. Jeffersonville cannot afford Greater Clark to abandon the kids and young families who live west of Ewing Lane. Growing up in Jeff myself in the 70's and 80's we had four public elementary schools servicing our downtown. If this proposal takes effect that number would be zero. Imagine hundreds of kids not being able to participate in any after school programs because 28% of Maple and Spring Hill parents have no car.
ReplyDeleteJeffersonville is a special place, we're strong when we work as a team. When Greater Clark came to me asking for help to build a new road at Wilson Elementary, we stepped up. When Greater Clark came to me and requested help building a new road and intersection on Tenth Street coming out of Jeff High, we stepped up. When Greater Clark said they had a budget shortfall and need money, we stepped up with a commitment of $440,000 a year.
Now it's my turn to ask. Greater Clark, I need your help, let's build a new downtown elementary school.
Mike Moore
Wow! Well said! Save Jeffersonville's downtown schools
Deletefrom this insane and very biased attempt
to close them.
Another way to save money for the city, stop allowing the construction of shopping centers that sit empty, etc. Maybe use some funds for more important things like Meals on wheels to help our elderly, or another shelter for women and children. Guess that is too much to ask huh.
DeleteIt is when our President wants to cut funds to those non-profit organizations. If it can't make money it doesn't matter anymore.
DeleteWhere are shopping centers being built and remaining empty?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing, where are these?
DeleteIt's just another ignorant statement from someone who knows nothing about what they are talking about.
Lol. One example? Does the mayor own that? How does a developer struggling to keep a strip mall filled with tenants cost the city money? Is it city owned? How in the hell is there a connection with Meals on Wheels?
Delete