Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Lakota ponders merits of school for freshmen
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — Nancy Robbins didn't think freshmen should be separated from older high school students and put in their own school — until her son started at Lakota Freshman School.
Now, Ms. Robbins touts the benefits of the school and isn't convinced the Lakota Board of Education should abandon the concept of a freshman school.
She was one of about 50 people who attended the district's first public forum on the matter Monday at Lakota East High School. A second hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Lakota West High School.
“I look at this as another year to mature,” Ms. Robbins said. “Another year (he's) not exposed to older children. ... I see it as an opportunity for bigger leadership roles.”
The school board is trying to gauge interest in two plans to provide more space for the district's rapidly growing student population, which grew by 529 students this year. Educators are expecting the upward trend to continue for several years before leveling off.
One plan leaves freshmen in their own school; the other moves them to Lakota East and West high schools.
Until a decision is made about freshmen, the board can't put together a plan to present to voters in March. That decision will be made at Monday's school board meeting.
The Lakota Advisory Commission, after 18 months of study, recommended a plan that moves freshmen back to the senior high schools and adds classroom wings to each high school. The alternative: leave freshmen in their own school and build a fourth junior school. A third option, rejected by the school board, calls for construction of a third high school.
The cost of the additions at the two high schools is estimated at $17.8 million, said board member Jeff Jones. It would cost $18.1 million plus the cost of the land to build a junior school.
Teacher Bonnie Cook said she is concerned about courses freshmen wouldn't be able to take at the senior high schools in certain areas.
“For years I said, bring those freshmen back,” Ms. Cook said. “Now I'm concerned that we'd be able to accommodate their needs. We're already maxed out in the computer lab and the science lab.”
Others said they favor the option of a third high school, presented last spring by the Lakota Advisory Council but rejected by the school board.
“A third high school would keep your options open a longer time,” said parent Christine Ellson, who has children in fourth grade and kindergarten.
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