“It better be broke, because we’re trying to fix it.”

That comment was the general consensus of residents at an open forum to discuss attendance zones in the Douglas Unified School District earlier this week.

They meeting was held in the Douglas High School Auditorium, and attracted about 150 parents and students.

During the two-and-a-half hour presentation and question-and–answer period, many in the audience indicated they were disappointed about the low turnout for such an important meeting.

The meeting kicked off with a half-hour presentation on the attendance zones and overcrowding issues at two of the district’s schools.

When the discussions started on the need to make changes back in September, four options were mentioned: No change; redistricting of the schools; moving to a preK-2, 3-6 grade format; and a Pre-K 6 format. With both of the latter suggestions, Ray Borane would no longer be a middle schoool.

The latest incarnation presented to the audience had a PreK-2, 3-6 alignment for the Early Learning Center/Ray Borane; PreK-3, 4-6 for Clawson and Sarah Marley; and Stevenson and Joe Carlson; and a PreK-6 at Faras.

Some parents expressed concern that a decision had already been made because not much information was provided on the other three options.

One parent said she thought this was just a cost saving measure because the option presented would allow the district to save $434,000 because fewer teachers would be needed.

Many parents thought the communication was lacking between district and parents on the options and reasons that the changes were necessary, particularly the middle school issue.

Students are doing poorly at the middle school level, Pettit said, because some of the teachers in the school are not teaching classes they were trained for.

“We need to have highly qualified teachers in all middle school classes, not just some. Reducing down to one middle school and moving sixth grade back to the elementary school would allow us to do that,” Pettit said.

More than 30 parents and other community members expressed their concerns during the comment period, which started at about 6:30 p.m. that Wednesday.

Many of the comments centered on why the rezoning option seems to have been dropped.

“Change is good but it needs to be gradual change. It feels like the K-2, 4-6 is being shoved down our throats,” one person said.

The district has not been rezoned in more than 10 years, even though most of the growth has shifted east and Joe Carlson has moved its location about a half mile.

Questions also centered on the overcrowding relating to open enrollment and the number of Mexican students who may be attending Douglas Schools illegally.

Open enrollment allows students to attend other schools in the system, with district approval, providing parents provide the transportation. Pettit said that even if open enrollment students are taken out of the Stevenson School (one of the overcrowded schools), there are another 101 students living in the zone waiting to enter. “It would be a wash.”

“A wise choice can only be made is we know why the changes are being made,” Eric Mapp said.

“There needed to be more effective, communication. I have been at the PTSO presentations and didn’t hear anything about these middle school issues.

“ The real reason is with the middle school. We all know it. I think moving the sixth graders back to the elementary school can only be a benefit,” said Merina Montano.

“We are not making the grade at the middle school. When our kids are leaving the high school, they are not prepared. The status quo is not an option for us. I suggest you think this through. If this doesn’t work, you have an accountability issue with Mr. Pettit directly,” said Mike Ortega.

Questions were asked about how if Stevenson was so overcrowded, why are they performing as well as they are, and how making the changes will affect Stevenson and the other schools performances.

Ana Varela applauded the school district for addressing the issue. “I want Douglas to provide good education for its students for a long time. We need open minds as parents, and look beyond our own convenience.”

But Band Director Mitch Lindemann was concerned about the change of moving the sixth grade to the elementary school would have on the band program.

Donna Colson questioned why the results of the surveys were not presented at the meeting. “I do feel that rezoning is needed and would be much less impactful than the suggested change.”

The results of the survey are included in this edition of the Dispatch.

“Ever since we started discussing this program, parents have been questioning why. I don’t believe the staff has fully addressed the under performing issues. Why are some schools under performing? We need to come together to devise an effective education plan,” said Melissa Ramirez.

Near the end of the meeting a petition was presented to the board from someone saying they represented the “Douglas Community.”  The text of the petition follows:

“We the people of the Douglas community request that before you make your decision to reconfigure, rezone, or make changes requested or recommended to you that you would please help us by:

“ 1. Identifying the root of the problems and issues. Providing accurate and the most up to date and current information so that we make the most educated and beneficial choice for our children, school and faculty.

“2. That you address the problems with underperforming schools at the right level: grades 6-8. Give our instructors the help; resources, training, and funds that are need in order to put our middle schools in the performing category.

“3. That you concentrate on rezoning each neighborhood school zone so that you are at the target number – whatever number that might be in order to best utilize each school.

“4. It is our understanding that currently our schools are not overcrowded and there is room for growth and that rezoning and improving the open enrollment program that at we now have would dissolve any overcrowding concerns.

“ 5. That a program be put in place to align the curriculum throughout all of the elementary schools so that all of our children are learning the same – in hopes of bringing each of them to “Performing” status or above.

The Douglas Community.