Letter to the Editor: Vote No on Closing Hillside School

Letter to the Editor:

I'm writing to express my reservations about the apparent "done deal" to close in the Elmbrook School District. This supposed money saving move will disrupt an otherwise smooth working operation amongst many students, families and neighborhoods. Numerous studies have been done and the district's studies don’t seem to jibe with other studies, numbers and projections as to true financial benefits of doing this.

My sons will be deeply affected by this decision. My second grader would be moving to a different school, then back to the middle school, where he does indeed belong, with the small number of kids who were displaced because of the closing. He would not be attending school with the majority of kids he spent the last three years with in the past and in the future. He also is receiving Individualized Education (Special Ed.) and will have to start from scratch with new teachers who are not familiar with his case. There will also be new scout packs and troops and after school activities adding to the mix. Structure and familiarity are SO important to our young ones!

I truly feel blessed to be living within the boundaries of such an excellent school district. I also am a reality-based person and am aware that we are in one of the top ranked and top paid school districts in the state. Like most of the country, our local economy is hurting. My husband works in the medical field and earned a considerable amount less this year than the year before. We’ve had to adjust and cut back, but luckily we are not in danger of losing our home. 

When an employer is hurting, most employees, like my husband, have and will share the burden to keep their jobs. Having been a substitute teacher in inner-city Indianapolis, I can relate to a teacher's day and have the utmost respect for the profession. Has simply a pay-freeze, not even cut, been put on the table till things get back on track? Projections seem to indicate enrollment rising not declining. At the same time, Hillside will be closed, yet kept heated and cooled w/a full-time janitor? Open enrollment being limited not promoted, less diversity, class sizes growing, kids displaced, I’m left scratching my head…  Why? Who really benefits? Does this need to be rushed to a vote?

Pros vs. Cons…. Cons win, hands down. Vote no!

Jackie Florczak
Brookfield, WI