sneakdeac 2 years, 2 months ago

This school is less diverse than most other county schools. If schools were equally diverse I am sure performance in school testing would be similar. I had a child in Moore County schools and he went to a top rated college within the state along with several other of his classmates and they did not attend Academy Heights. I don't see the problem with closing Academy Heights it should have been closed a long time ago. As I see it keeping it open is an open invitation for Reverend Barber to visit Moore County,

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native 2 years, 2 months ago

It plain and simple...come up with alternatives on other things that would be more sensible to cut. Don't just say, don't cut us....

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stang 2 years, 2 months ago

@native WELL SAID!!!!!

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coffecreme 2 years, 2 months ago

Native if you had listened to the 102.5 two hour session this morning you would have heard alternatives.

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Mythreekids 2 years, 2 months ago

Having attended Academy Heights long before it was integrated, I understand the sentimentality of the residents of the community. However, I do think it is time that, due to the condition of the building and the cost to upgrade, another direction is taken. Progress does is not always painless. And there are realistic times when the good of the group outweighs personal preference. Whatever the decision, there is going to be some dissatisfaction. Hopefully, the differences of opinion won't be insurmountable and the decision will be in the best interest of all children (which is what education is about) going forward.

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teufelhunden 2 years, 2 months ago

Well said Mythreekids. That pretty much sums it up.

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latinlady 2 years, 2 months ago

@Sneakdeac - Wow what an ignorant statement. You should be ashamed of yourself.

@Native - Clearly you haven't a clue! Come to the meetings and gather the facts before you share your uneducated opinion! Get off your duff and come to the meeting Monday night. We have discussed numerous altenatives! I hate when people like you make statements on a subject that you clearly know nothing about.

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noname 2 years, 2 months ago

The sad part of this all is if this school was more integrated, the NAACP would be down here! Noone really cares about the "white" kids- they'll be fine where ever they go. Right? Well for your information, there are kids there from Taylortown and they do just as well because they are valued, cared for, and given the attention they need. Anyone can attend Academy Heights it's a school of choice. And it's not just about the building, yes it is old but by closing it down and sending the kids to other schools plus the influx BRAC will bring, do you all realize in just a few short years our schools will be overcrowed yet again and the board will be asking you to raise taxes to build them a new school? It for the good of this community for this school to stay open, not just for the good of the Academy Height families.

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clodfelter37 2 years, 2 months ago

I was not at the meeting. I do know Dr Purser and am so glad we have her as Superintendent for our schools. Cuts have to be made. She has met with lots of people to determine what is best for our county. Any decision will upset someone. I am glad I do not have her job.

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BHBlack 2 years, 2 months ago

Just some facts...

I have posted comments on a previous article about the AHE. A cap was set by Dr. Russo many years ago on the number and classrooms for AHE.

The guidelines for admission to AHE is set by Moore County Schools Central Office. Taylortown and Pinehurst residents get first choice. It is my recollection that after that category comes children from a diverse population outside of the Pinehurst/Taylortown area. After that, MCS Central Office has other criteria (siblings). Please contact MCS Central Office for this information.

Extensive effort was made by the Principle as well as Advisory Board and other MCS employees to attract a diverse population of students. I'm sure that Central Office has notes of all the efforts that were made. The year-round schedule doesn't always work for every family.

My child did attend AHE several years ago. I did serve on the Advisory Board for my term from 2004-2006. This included the time during the bond issue. I was in several meetings with Dr. Purser and different employees of MCS Central Office. I assure you, at no time, ever, was there a mention of "retiring" AHE. In fact, is was our understanding that a bigger school would be built for Pinehurst Elementary, and AHE would then take the space of Pinehurst Elementary. I was in the meeetings. Trust me when I tell you that had I heard that AHE would be "retired" it would have stuck in my memory. If retirement or closure was ever a part of the "plan", that "plan" was behind closed doors and not conveyed to the people and parents that worked so hard to ge the bond issue passed.

Additioally, my child has severe disabilities. There is a population at AHE that doesn't fall under the ethnic diversity. Pleae do your research on this particular topic.

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MCResident 2 years, 2 months ago

Our current education model is based on an agrarian society, when families needed their children home in the summer to work in the fields and on the farm. As our nation became more industrialized, our model for education failed to change as the lifestyles of our citizens did.

I know that a year-round program would mean a big change to most families. But if you knew that your student would retain more knowledge, do better in school, learn more, and have higher scores on standardized tests, would you keep your grumbling to a minimum for the sake of your child's future success?

My concern is that, by closing a year-round campus, the year-round program in this county is slowly being eliminated. What will happen in one or two years when Southern Pines Primary and Elementary schools are at capacity because the year-round population has grown and has to start turning away students who want the program? Is it likely that another year-round campus will be built, or will another school be closed to accomodate the needs, causing another uproar?

Before the board of education votes on this issue, we deserve to know the answers to the following questions:

1. How many students are currently wait-listed at Academy Heights every year?
2. How has the year-round population at SPP and SPE grown since it's inception?
3. Has a recent survey been done to families throughout the county asking how many would like the option of year-round school?
4. There are currently three year-round campuses in the southern end of the county. Why has a year-round program not been placed in the northern end of the county, making it more accessible to more students?
   

If year-round programs are better for our students (note that I said better for students -- maybe more complicated for parents) we as residents and taxpayers should be demanding that year-round grow. Our test results will look better, students will achieve more and become productive citizens, property values will rise as our school district becomes a beacon of light and a model for success.

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Bflat 2 years, 2 months ago

While you're attending meetings and gathering information about the school closure, keep in mind that the County Commissioners have a responsibility of proper funding for schools at the local level. They knew this shortfall was coming. Consider that the JAIL is being built on a site that they paid more than the market value and that amount could more than go toward saving the school. Also, they're spending millions to add 200 federal sized jail cells, instead of standard size and it will be 4 stories. If the county has money to spend like that, where is the money to take care of the schools? Everyone needs to put some fire under 3 particular commissioners seats and make sure education is first, instead of making criminals comfortable in a new large facility. Again, this budget shortfall was pointed out and the commissioners knew....but where is the accountability for ensuring the education budget is adequate?

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proAHES 2 years, 2 months ago

The school is old, that is for sure. The only thing the parents of this district are asking for is to keep the option of a year-round school in thier district. Not to dismantle the existing program and do away with the staff that has worked very hard over the years to get it right. They know there are good teachers all over Moore County, but you will never be able to duplicate what the staff at AHES has been able to do- they, themselves continue to work on it every year. This is not a slight to other schools, I'm sure they have some of the same things going on within thier own staff. I feel that this entire process was brought about in such a wrong way not just from a Connect Ed message sent to parents, but the staff was informed by Connect Ed AFTER parents had gotten thier calls. I also want to make clear that the $500,000 Dr. Purser is saying will save the county by closing the school- only $90,000 of that is the actual building. $410,000 is staff. That $410,000 amount should not be lumped into AHES, but go in the the line item on the budget for reduction of staff for the entire county. So, saying $500,000 is not being totaly truthful- it's really $90,000.

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