From Richmond Public Schools press release:
The Richmond City School Board is slated to take action on recommendations proposed for Binford Middle School during a special meeting scheduled Monday, December 15. The deferred action is based on feedback received from the public requesting additional information and discussion on the options presented.
At its December 8 meeting, the Board will receive a report and discuss findings from the district’s three community engagement sessions and
corresponding survey.
The news leaves many neighbors and Open High students, parents,and faculty concerned about the future of their program.
From a member of the Alliance for Progressive Values Education Task Force:
rough notes so far on last night’s (Monday’s) Board meeting re Binford:
Dr. Bedden and his staff were thorough. An Open move to Binford ranked last. A Better Binford parent gave a suggestion of an arts and springboard hybrid option. Arts integrated was supported well by a Binford teacher. IB ranked first but the cost and time factor was the drawback. Arts integrated second, Springboard third, and an Open combo school last. I was pleased to see that the online survey matched, more or less, what I’ve been hearing publicly at community meetings, in conversations, and at Board meetings. I was surprised to see a couple board members wanting to keep Open on the option list when Chairman Coleman said in the discussion they could narrow down the options. Shonda Harris-Muhammed motioned to take Open off the list but no one backed her. Bourne, said although cold water has been thrown on Open he would like to see financial figures on that option. Dr. Bedden and staff gave pretty thorough financial figures on IB, Arts, and Springboard. I think from all the info and public input online and at meetings, they figured the Open option dead. Dr. Bedden also pointed out where all the options came from. Open he said wasn’t something he came up with nor was it the idea of the principal of Open High. The idea was there before Dr. Bedden came into office. It was obvious he had really good knowledge of IB and Springboard…and just a little on Arts integrated. I think others who spoke on the arts knew more. But that is okay. Kristen Larson said she supported the Open option (and that IB gave her heartburn) but after looking at the public input thinks replicating Open with an Open Middle in another smaller venue could be something to consider down the road. The data, both public and online, was overwhelming in support of other ideas and options, and against the Open move to Binford so I was surprised to see the board not narrow down the options tonight and it gave me pause like it did most people in the rooms and Dr. Bedden even appeared a little surprised by Bourne’s request for financial info for an Open but agreed to bring in projected costs for an Open option. I’m not sure who is working to keep Open on the table but from everything I’ve seen and heard and now read on the data handed out tonight, it doesn’t seem like the public.
There were thorough presentations on three of the options: Dr Bedden on SpringBoard (he has experience with it and it helps the disadvantaged, not exclusive, and more local control vs IB), a staff member gave one on Arts Integrated (also helps the disadvantaged, not exclusive, close to VCU), and Mr Washington on IB (a philosophy and quality of instruction, not exclusive, already operating in several schools). All three gave the costs of the programs too. There was nothing presented on Open b/c there isn’t a plan. Dr. Bedden also warned Board regarding rezoning that there are federal guidelines (my guess is you can’t rezone students for poor or poorer performing schools). The Open option is the only one that would close the school and require rezoning.
Open has town meetings, a student government and it is ironic that a couple Board members would continue to push this Open idea against the vote of the people.
Also there were parents and staff from Binford who advocated for a 5th option –leave the school the way it is and bring back out of zone open enrollment busing, however, that ended along with NCLB several years ago. Busing could be brought back with one of the magnet options. Dr. Bedden made it clear that the magnet options are about quality of instruction and are not exclusive and do not have to be application only –open enrollment seats at Binford could continue with a lottery.
Overall, I was impressed with the work of Bedden and his staff. I’ve never seen so much thorough information given at a single meeting by previous administrations.
This link has the board docs which includes online survey and comments and costs, etc that was shared last night. I believe School Board also received notes or summaries of all the community meetings.
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/richmond/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9R46KY641447