‘Where is the logic?? said Mark Matczak, of Parview Street.
Since Nov. 29, parents and board members have been in conversation over the new plan to redistrict. Clarkston school board members feel the shift is the best thing to do, but parents feel their voices are not being heard. One group of parents has reviewed the information and does not see the need for the plan.
‘I have reviewed the current school populations and heard the board’s thoughts on why the redistricting is needed,? said Robert Ferer, of Waldon Creek. ‘In the end, I still do not believe it is required at this time and to the extent it is planned.?
Ferer’s children, Kiley and Alison, currently attend Clarkston Elementary and would be transferred to Pine Knob Elementary under plan (B). Ferer believes that all Clarkston schools are equally equipped and staffed; however, he is upset that his children are moving away from comfortable surroundings, the friends they have made, teachers they enjoy and a caring environment in their current schools.
‘Yes, new friends will be made eventually, but why mess with a good thing if you don’t have to?? said Ferer.
Some parents argue that they were not given the courtesy of timing.
‘A letter was sent home on Nov. 12 stating that the boundary changes would be posted at the schools on that following Monday,? said Anne and Tom Pytel, of Morningstar Drive. ‘We were given from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19 to send our comments and suggestions in.?
The Pytels? daughter, Samantha, would be transferred from Independence Elementary to Springfield Plains Elementary under plan (F).
‘My impression from attending both board meetings is that the issue has been decided,? said Pytel. ‘I don’t feel at the present time these changes need to be made.?
‘Unnecessary? is a word that many dissenting Clarkston parents apply to the proposals. Several parents said they are still walking around with question marks in their heads, due to the lack of communication between the school board and parents.
‘The first meeting I felt relieved the board was allowing our input,? said David Lohmeier, of Glenwood Creek. ‘The second meeting was more of a decision from the board and that was frustrating.?
Lohmeier’s children, Olivia and Emma, currently attend Clarkston Elementary and would be transferred to Pine Knob Elementary under Plan (B).
‘They were setting a real sense of urgency with this plan,? said Lohmeier. ‘They were saying we have to get this done and make sure the dedicated classrooms were all available.?
After the meeting, Lohmeier and other parents said they believed the dedicated science, music and art rooms were all at risk. After investigating, Lohmeier said he discovered that all schools currently have these rooms and he finds they are not in jeopardy.
‘I think the biggest problem is the clarity of the goal,? said Donna Carpentier, of Riverstone Court. ‘When it was suggested that in the future such important information be mailed to all parents well in advance, Dr. Roberts? response was, ‘Thank you for your opinion.?
Carpentier’s children, Sebastien and Cameron, attend Independence Elementary and would be transferred to Springfield Plains Elementary under plan (F).
Redistricting is a sensitive decision, and some parents feel the move is unnecessary. This group has questions such as: Why shift these children when it is unnecessary or why are you doing this?
These parents have stated they feel the board is holding information, not ‘laying it on the table.?
‘The shift is absolutely unnecessary,? said Kim and Gary Christie, of Morningstar Court. ‘We were told by the principal of Independence Elementary that there is no overcrowding issue.?
Christie’s child, Sean, currently attends Independence Elementary and would be transferred to Springfield Plains under plan (F).
These residents agree that Clarkston has wonderful educational institutions. For many, the issue is not that children have to be moved to a school they do not like, but that the security they have become accustomed to is being taken away.