Parents ponder possible closures

I say close High Rolls and leave Holloman open. Running a entire school for 30 students isn't very cost effective.

How was $137,000 LOST on tuesday

The thought of school buses running the area around the tunnel is horrendous - had to drive that area twice a day for a year, had some really close calls - never mind the cost-effectiveness, put the kids first - or give them a safe? escort down the mountain twice a day. I would not subject my child to the hazards of that route twice a day, especially during bad weather.

For those who may not have seen it in another thread - and this was not reported by the ADN - Harris has called a meeting to vote on this issue on Friday (26th) at 7:30 a.m.!

To me, it looks like he has his mind made up and is not all that interested in hearing our concerns or looking into other plans!

If nothing else, please contact your school board members and urge them to do what they can to at least put this issue on hold!!!

Has anyone heard any more about the rumor of his resignation?

My error - it is the board president who called for the vote. Either way - this stinks!!! They need to vote to table a decision!!!

John wrote:

I say close High Rolls and leave Holloman open. Running a entire school for 30 students isn't very cost effective.

When you look at the fact that only utility costs would be saved by closing it down, then only about $1-2,000 per student would be saved. Very rough estimate, but when you consider the district gets around $3,600 per child, that's a pretty good deal. I can name eight kids currently not in the public schools who want to go to High Rolls next year, bringing the district another $28,000 a year. Explain to me again where they would save money by closing?

Been there, done that.

Was around when the Alamogordo District wanted to closed the Weed School in the mountains. K-12 school with close to 100 in attendance.

Alamo went ahead and gave the school to Cloudcroft District with Cloudcroft saying they would keep the Weed school open. BULL-ogna!

Cloudcroft closed Weed saying that if the weather was inclement they would ship teachers UP Denny Hill and keep the Weed kids on the Weed side of Denny hill. BULL-ogna!

So, now the kids K-12 are bussed OVER DENNY Hill, through Cox or James Canyon.

So, if Cloudcroft offers to take over the HR school..........Beware!

School Admin do not care about the kids. It is all about the money. I know plenty of homeschoolers that are doing WONDERFUL in society! Many have gone on to college, graduated and doing wonderful!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I also heard that Harris had put in his resignation unofficially, but someone talked him out of it... when exactly is he supposed to go before PED for the hearing that was postponed?? Anyone know?

With fuel prices rising- How does this save money? and to bus 6 and 7 yr olds for hours up and down the hill -how is this good for their learning? Holloman Middle school fills a need. The students there are at a critical time in their public education careers. The staff and parents know and understand Military lifestyle and it workds best for the students there. Quick Question-- How much money is saved closing HMS? And how much to bus and add additional staff in their new school? We have overcrowded classes in Alamogordo as it is. Are our children no better than livestock herded into corrals??

We need to pack the house on the two parent meetings but especially the School Board Public Hearing set for Thursday, June 24th being held from 4 pm to 8 pm (apparently the time changed from just 6 pm) and once again at the School Board meeting on Friday, June 25th at 7:30 am (all being held at the APS Admin Complex on Hawaii). We need supportive letters handed over from parents, guardians, community members, and students to the school board at the Thursday meeting. We need these same letters sent to our political, military, and community leaders. Finally, we need to list and distribute, to the school board, solutions to the APS financial woes.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Would letters from out of district people help any?

If so, where would the letters need to be sent?

If so, please say so on here and give addies.

I would think all of the publicity and expressions of outrage/dismay help. Sometimes when the local becomes non-local, those in power understand that they are being watched by a larger group and behave better. Here's hoping and thanking EVERYONE who cares enough to help in this issue.

http://www.aps4kids.org/boe/index.htm

http://www.aps4kids.org/superintendent/index....

Joey wrote:

We need to pack the house on the two parent meetings but especially the School Board Public Hearing set for Thursday, June 24th being held from 4 pm to 8 pm (apparently the time changed from just 6 pm) and once again at the School Board meeting on Friday, June 25th at 7:30 am (all being held at the APS Admin Complex on Hawaii). We need supportive letters handed over from parents, guardians, community members, and students to the school board at the Thursday meeting. We need these same letters sent to our political, military, and community leaders. Finally, we need to list and distribute, to the school board, solutions to the APS financial woes.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Yes, you can make a difference. Has anyone contacted television media, state representatives, your mayor? The more eyes upon those making decisions that affect the children of your commuinity the better. Good Luck.

Here's the update from HMS/CPM:

We need any and all concerned parents to attend the Tuesday meeting. We will discuss this issues, coordinate and consolidate the financial options as well as family concerns/issues and overall board questions.

These lists, once compiled will be given to the board members in advance Wed. night. They should then have all day on Thurs to review prior to the 4pm meeting. Since the vote is now schedule for 7 AM on Friday, we need to make sure that they can research all possible solutions BEFORE they vote.

Parents who cannot attend the meeting and wish to have their opinions in the packages, can contact either person listed within this article. My contact e-mail is now posted in my profile.

We are suggesting that parents create a letter to the school board stating how this will affect your family. We suggest asking your kids to write letters indicating how this will affect them.

These letters will be given to the school board on Thursday and copies will be made to sent to the State, if necessary.

students advocate wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, you can make a difference. Has anyone contacted television media, state representatives, your mayor? The more eyes upon those making decisions that affect the children of your commuinity the better. Good Luck.

Both Concerned Parents Groups have been in contact with the media....however, you are more than welcome to call them again and let them know how important this issue is to you.

btdt wrote:

Would letters from out of district people help any?
If so, where would the letters need to be sent?
If so, please say so on here and give addies.

You can send letters via e-mail to me directly as my e-mail address is now in my profile. Or you can bring them to either of the two meetings:

Holloman, 5:00 pm, Tues.
High Rolls, 7:00 pm, Tues.

Raptor Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
You can send letters via e-mail to me directly as my e-mail address is now in my profile. Or you can bring them to either of the two meetings:
Holloman, 5:00 pm, Tues.
High Rolls, 7:00 pm, Tues.

I just sent you something, let me know if you didn't get it.

HOC,

I got your e-mail, thank you. I will print it out for the parents packet. If you wish to attend the board meeting and attempt to give them a copy as well, I highly encourage you to do so.

Your comments sent to the board mirror the comments that we have been hearing by most parents. I would like to forward your e-mail to Angie if that is okay with you.