Academics matter: Elmhurst providing quality education

A special “Upfront Commentary”
By Angie Hayden Sutton

The Indiana Department of Education’s Action Plan clearly states their vision for Hoosier students as shown by the following excerpt:

“The academic achievement and career preparation of all Indiana students will be the best in the United States and on par with the most competitive countries in the world. Engage key stakeholders across the education continuum and throughout the community to form meaningful collaborations that nurture the attitude that academic achievement and career preparation of Indiana students is the top priority of all. Foster student- centered and learning-focused educational innovation and entrepreneurship and champion models with a proven track-record of success.”

The mission statement of FWCS espouses similar goals:

“Fort Wayne Community Schools educates all students to high standards enabling them to become productive, responsible citizens.”

Their vision statement further states:

“Fort Wayne Community Schools will be the school system of choice and a source of community pride.”

However, the core values of FWCS most clearly illustrates the high esteem in which they hold their students:

“Student achievement as the heart of our work. Equity in educational opportunities. The diversity and uniqueness of our district and community. The accountability of the school board, the administration, employees and teaching professionals. Open and honest communication with our community, parents, and students.”

Yeah, right.

Alas, if only the leadership of FWCS was actually being guided by these key principles. Instead of rewarding high academics, Dr. Wendy Robinson’s proposal to close Elmhurst High School penalizes excellence, reduces facility options in a “free choice” district and ultimately will increase class size as teachers lose their jobs. Elmhurst’s model of a smaller school environment has a solid track record of success, one of the criteria Indiana’s department of education endorses. Yet, this sure bet is denigrated in favor of vague references to “studies” that show fullday kindergarten will cure the ills of FWCS’s large population of students who are passed on to high school barely reading at fourth grade level. Go figure.

And, let’s not forget to mention the demoralizing effect this poorlyconceived plan has had upon the student body, devastating generations of proud Trojan families in one fell swoop. Achieving a zero dropout rate, leading in graduation rate gains and consistently posting commendable ISTEP scores just isn’t enough it seems. To add insult to injury, while writing this piece in the wee hours of the morn, I noticed FWCS isn’t displaying photos of Elmhurst students in the pictorial slideshow that loops continuously at the top of their home page. Every other high school, and even an Anthis Center student, is prominently featured, however. But, closing Elmhurst is just a proposal at this point, right? Uh, huh.

Mark GiaQuinta, president of FWCS Board of Trustees, has a unique view of this whole situation and he was happy to share. Following the meeting with Elmhurst students and families on March 10, GiaQuinta advised this writer that the academic success of a school shouldn’t even be a consideration when deciding whether or not to close a facility. Well, maybe he’s right. After all, FWCS only has two out of their six high schools in the laser sights of the State Board of Education. Just a little thing called academic probation that’s been going on since 2005 and when it goes on for longer than six consecutive years, things can get a bit medieval.

FWCS has their mind made up that closing Elmhurst is the only way they can garner $1.5 million of the $15 million they need to cure their budget shortfall—the only way in the whole, wide world. A counter-proposal of budget balancing measures, suggested by the online community of www.saveelmhurst.com, was presented in good faith to Mr. GiaQuinta prior to the meeting with Elmhurst families. He advised this reporter he’d gotten halfway through the proposal but didn’t see anything to change his mind. He also didn’t have time to meet to discuss alternatives to closing Elmhurst.

Despite Mr. GiaQuinta’s lack of fresh ideas, the citizens of Fort Wayne are chock full of them. One idea the community continues to raise with FWCS is their refusal to restructure management headcount, particularly in the area of administrator positions. Per Krista J. Stockman, public information officer for FWCS, there are three area administrators; in 2009 their salaries ranged from $114,469- $118,109. There were 834 classroom assistants employed by FWCS in 2009 with salaries ranging from $188-$19,575. No one wants hard-working Hoosiers to be laid off, downsized or furloughed. Unfortunately, that’s standard business practice during these days of severe economic woe. In many cases, the greatest savings can be gained from reducing payroll. Now, if teachers are expected to take one for the home team, how can FWCS in good conscience exempt any other staff positions from the same fate?

Academics do matter and so do elections, particularly those involving incumbent school board members. It’s time for new leadership and ideology at FWCS. Leadership that truly values the hearts, minds and souls of our youth. Leadership that demonstrates humanity, integrity, honesty and trustworthiness. Nothing less will suffice for those we entrust with our most precious natural resource: our students, the leaders of tomorrow. So today stand in solidarity with those who believe our elected school officials should listen to their constituents and act accordingly. Closing schools is not what this community wants or needs. Please visit www.saveelmhurst.com to support our students, our teachers and our schools.

Angela Hayden Sutton is a writer and community activist living in Fort Wayne. In addition to being an Elmhurst High School graduate, she currently has a nephew attending school there.

This is part of the March 17, 2010 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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