NEWS/TALK 101.5 RECEIVED THIS LETTER FROM SOUTHSIDE PRINCIPAL AND MADISON COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIMMY ARNOLD. THE LETTER IS HIS RESPONSE TO A STORY THAT APPEARED IN THE JACKSON SUN ABOUT A PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING.
NOTE - THIS RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM A PRIVATE COMPANY, IT IS NOT A PROPOSAL AND NOT A PLAN. IT WAS A RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THIS COMPANY. THE PLANNING COMMITTEE TOOK NO ACTION ON THE RECOMMENDATION.
April 2, 2009
Dear Tom Bohs and Tajuana Cheshier,
Reorganization Plan for Schools
I am quite concerned about the plan for reorganizing the schools that appeared in the newspaper on 4/2/09. There is a lot of bad information and not a lot of reasoning.
It was only about five years ago that we changed from the K-5, 6-8, 9-12 plan. At that time the Madison County Commission appropriated over fifty million dollars to build five new schools and renovate others so we could change to this plan. Now a new movement is under way to go back (the cost is $$$$$$$$$)???
One observation of great concern is the closing of Malesus Elementary School. The newspaper quote “Malesus Elementary, which is a building constructed in 1915”. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT A TRUE STATEMENT.
There are two classrooms remaining from the building that was built in 1915. About 75% of Malesus Elementary School has been built since 1969. All of the school’s administrative, guidance, clerical, library, gymnasium, teacher’s lounge, store rooms, work room, cafeteria and 15 classrooms have been built since 1969. In fact there are only 10 classrooms built before 1969.
Malesus Elementary School is the largest of the three elementary schools in the South Cluster. Certainly this is realistic because this is the most populated area (cuts down on transporting little children so far from home). Malesus Elementary School is the closest elementary to South Side High School (this is where the students go for high school). Malesus Elementary School has one of the best parent teacher organizations with strong community support.
For some reason, utility bills and maintenance cost were given for Malesus Elementary School. I am requesting utility bills and maintenance cost for all school buildings.
The Jackson Madison County School System enrollment has dropped and is now hovering around the 13,000 level. We need to start doing things to keep students in the Jackson Madison County School System.
I would suggest a lot more study from this committee.
Jimmy Arnold
