When PTO Meetings Go Awry
March 13th, 2008 by Maria Evans
Cape School Board member Spencer Brittingham.
Cape Henlopen School Board member Spencer Brittingham wants the board to discuss “Milton Configurations” at tonight’s meeting. That may sound benign, but what he’s really talking about is a plan where Milton’s two elementary schools, HO Brittingham and Milton Elementary School, would reconfigure so that HOB would be students grades K-2 and Milton would be for grades 3-5.
Apparently this is an idea that’s sprung up before, and this time it may have sprung up over correspondence from an HOB parent complaining that she was turned down when she wanted to choice her kid(s) into Milton Elementary School.
The whole scenario was thrown into the public arena by WGMD’s Dan Gaffney on The Dan Gaffney Show, and what followed can only be described as outrage. So much outrage that Spencer Brittingham showed up at Milton’s PTO meeting last night to answer parent’s questions.
Dr. Stone made his feelings clear, he doesn’t want to mess up either school’s rating by changing them up.
Brittingham had a different take on the situation.
“How long do we allow choice to take away the high achieving students from one school and put them all in another school?” - Spencer Brittingham AUDIO
Meanwhile the Milton parents, joined by one HOB parent, basically told Brittingham that if there was a problem with kids choicing out of HOB for whatever reason, then fix HOB and leave Milton alone. Many parents voiced their concern over breaking up siblings, and the fact that the school has worked so hard to build a sense of community. Needless to say, parents were angry, and they didn’t hold back. Brittingham stood his ground.
The debate will continue tonight at Mariner Middle School in Milton at 7:30.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:08 am
It all boils down to money. Ole’ Stone knows they are getting money for the high achieving schools. If that rating goes down because of school choice then he kisses that money goodbye. Yet, the students suffer with a terrible education. I agree with the parents, fix HOB because it doesn’t sound like the students are at fault. It sounds like the curriculum is the one to blame. I’ve heard nothing but terrible things from HOB. It’s ashame because that used to be a great elementary school.
April 12th, 2008 at 10:41 am
If it ain’t broke … don’t fix it!!! I moved my child to MES from a small christian school 2 years ago and I have felt very confident that I have made the right decision. MES has an incredible staff and great kids! The school is clean, the children are respectful, it’s a safe and secure school and the staff are genuinely concerned for the students and parents. Milton Elem. is a great school, HOB has some issues … don’t spread the issues - fix them! It sounds like it’s an issue with administration and communication at HOB. Put together a task force of MES teachers and adminstrators and have them meet w/ HOB personnel … MES is doing something right pass it along, help HOB grow and succeed! I have a second child going to MES next year and I don’t want my child split between 2 schools. I know that MES can service my childrens educational needs 100% and that I am able to be a big part of their education in connection w/ the incredible staff!!