Legislative Update
27 October 2001
Number 01-14
Senator Rod Adair Supports Neighborhood Schools
(After my remarks on local radio on October 15, I have received
a number of inquiries concerning my position on the Roswell Independent
School District's plans for the construction of new schools and
the closing of existing schools. This update is for the purpose
of responding to those questions.)
First of all:
I am not addressing this issue as a state senator, because this
is not a legislative matter. My role in this question is the same
as any other Roswell citizen---that of a member of the local community,
a parent of children enrolled in local schools, and that of any
concerned resident of Roswell. The point being that my interest
is that of a constituent of the local school board, lobbying them,
and making my own views known, the same as everyone else should
do. (While my name has been listed as a member of a committee set
up by the R.I.S.D. to study this kind of issue, it was done without
my consent and I have never attended a single meeting, nor played
any role in the study of this issue.)
Point 2:
I have made my views known by calling, writing, and providing documentation
of studies to both my local school board member as well as administration
officials. I believe all Roswell residents should do the same. My
position, going back two years, has been the same:
A number of studies show that school size has a direct correlation
with student performance....that the smaller the school, the better
the performance, especially in the elementary grades. The correlation
in fact is stronger between school size and student performance
than between class size and performance. (And class size, ironically,
is the subject which gets all the attention.) I have provided this
data to the school board and the administration.
Point 3:
A number of Roswell elementary schools are ideal in size, or are
very close to the ideal. Such schools as Parkview and Washington
Avenue for example, far from being marked for closing (there is
no official word on this, but they have been named over the past
two years as subjects of study) should be preserved precisely because
of their ideal size. They are also popular with parents. (A consideration
too often brushed aside.)
Point 4:
If you hire architects, contractors, or others involved in the building
trade to conduct a study to determine if a need exists to build
new buildings, you must expect a high probability that they will
find the need for building construction. This appears to have happened
in this instance.
Point 5:
Unless schools present hazards because of poor design, or are in
need of removal of toxic building materials, or present other similar
problems, then maintenance, repair and upgrading is vastly more
economical than new construction.
Point 6:
It flat goes against the best science and the best studies we have
available to tear down schools whose capacity is 250-400 and build
new schools for 700-850 kids. It not only creates a less attractive
environment for younger kids, it is very costly as well. This results
in a double hit on the community: more tax money for a worse outcome.
Point 7:
As is probably obvious by now, I support the concept of the neighborhood
school---as opposed to centrally located "mega-schools"
with huge staffs, big administrations, hallways like shopping malls,
and designs which tend to overwhelm young children.
Preserving smaller schools enhances opportunities for parental involvement,
which is the single most important component of educational success.
Truth be known, parents too, can be overwhelmed in settings involving
750 kids and perhaps 1,500 parents, grandparents, guardians et cetera.
The smaller the school the better chance of a tighter-knit, more
cohesive Parent Teacher Organization. It is more conducive to the
kind of social setting in which individuals will feel less intimidated
and more likely to step forward to volunteer and to get involved
in helping the faculty. Additionally, the school may be just down
the block and part of the neighborhood, which in and of itself creates
more interest. Parents are more likely to know other children's
parents.
Finally, I want to make clear that I realize no decisions have been
announced yet. I also realize that reasonable people may disagree
about matters of public policy. Our local board may reach different
conclusions on each point I have made. In any case, this response
is solely for the purpose of responding to questions I have received.
I support and pray for wisdom and insight for our school board,
just as I do for all elected officials in my community. I also believe
we should do the same for the legislature, congress and our national
leaders. I certainly need prayer and am always grateful to those
who intercede for me.
Rod Adair