Five schools ”” Brentwood Middle, Charlestowne Academy, Fraser Elementary, McClellanville Middle and Schroder Middle ”” closed their doors for good Friday, and five school communities grieved the loss.
It was a difficult and emotional day for students and staff alike. Some were optimistic about the future while others were anxious and fearful. And while some students looked forward to their summer break, many others felt the pain of more permanent goodbyes.
The school board made the decision in January to shutter the schools to save money and to give kids better opportunities elsewhere. At the time the district faced a projected $28 million deficit, and these five schools were among the lowest achieving in the district.
My wife is a Greenville native; her high school no longer exists. The loss of one’s school leaves an empty feeling, even after many years.
Here in Tallahassee, we have had two schools close recently, and another saved only by very vocal outcry from the public. In a neighboring county, their school system was recently decried as so bad, that they county turned control of the schools over to the state.
Further, several schools are not renewing contracts at the rate of 25 – 39 teachers per school.
And this is in a state that ACCEPTED the stimulus money.
It’s tough all over.