Posted to KFDM Forum:
2/23/07 12:53 p.m.
Most of you know the BISD is trying to formulate
proposals for a bond issue to revamp the schools. Though I have concerns about
the bond issue in general in that it appears more focus is on new and
elaborate facilities as opposed to functional and effective facilities, my
real concern and even fear is more specific than that and could even be
effected by the School Board without the bond issue. Therefore, I have placed
this as a new topic rather than under the Bond discussion.
The proposed plans now, as I understand them, are to
eliminate South Park Middle School via either demolition or abandonment,
transporting those students to Odom and King, as well as
closing Bingman Elementary and sending those kids to
Blanchette. These receiving schools are all west of Avenue A and hardly
in the neighborhood. The real horror of that plan is that the
entire South Park area will have only Pietzsch-MacArthur Elementary
left. That's just wrong to deprive a whole community of a local school
system, which should be a cornerstone for any community. I grew up in
South Park, was enrolled in the charter class of Bingman in '53 as a
kindergartner. and graduated SPHS in '65. My mother
graduated SPHS Class of '43. The school even bears
a historical marker; and to abandon that wonderful piece of Beaumont's
history is another unspeakable abomination in its own
right!
There is a move by many South Park residents and
alumnus to Save South Park. Personally I have written a few
letters to hopefully appropriate officials, and I have even taken some
pictures of the facilities in South Park for those who are unable to see them
firsthand to illustrate that though I don't know what they look like inside,
they certainly do not appear to be ready for the trash
heaps. No question they should have been maintained better in
the first place, but damage and deterioration can be repaired.
If you will, please print it and mail it to the
address on the petition.
There will be a meeting of all concerned at
St. Paul's Methodist Church Fellowship
Hall
4445 Pershing at Woodrow
Saturday, March 3rd, at 2:00 p.m.
This meeting is being organized by
Miriam Cade Nichols
Thanks,
Sherry Moyer Sharp
SPHS-'65