GORDONVILLE SCHOOL: MANY OBJECT TO CLOSING

GORDONVILLE -- "Long-term use of the facility is to keep Gordonville school open. We want it here."

These words spoken by Les Lindy Jr. mirrored the sentiments of many of the more than 70 parents and community members who attended an open hearing at Gordonville Attendance Center Monday night. The group sent a message to the Jackson Board of Education that they are willing to keep their children at the school and did not want to see their building shut down.

Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones said the hearing was held so that board members could determine whether parents living in Gordonville's attendance area wanted their first-, second- and third-graders to attend classes at the school or at South Elementary School, a building that is scheduled to open next fall for kindergarten through fifth grades.

He said the building was not in jeopardy of being closed -- at least not within the next school year. However, he said, board members will have to look at the strengths and weaknesses of outlying schools like Gordonville and Millersville attendance centers to determine whether keeping them open is feasible.

An open hearing will be held Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Millersville Attendance Center to hear from patrons in that portion of the district.

Administrators surveyed parents of some 65 elementary school-aged children living in the Gordonville attendance area during November to ascertain their preference in elementary schools for their children. Preferences were divided fairly evenly between Gordonville and South school, he said, with very few people showing no preference in schools.

"Until I know how many parents really desire to be there and we have enough children to fill the classes at that attendance center, there's really nothing to discuss," Jones said. "We have to make some decisions before too long to plan what students will be attending South Elementary next fall and which teachers will be assigned there."

Jones said board members would look at several factors when making a decision about long-term usage for the school. The district is growing evenly and quickly, he said, so ensuring that there are enough suitable classrooms available to fit current needs and future growth is important.

Also important in any decision about a facility is whether the building is cost-efficient, has potential for addition and expansion, and has adequately student populations, he said.