Parents scared Brush College could close
Updated: February 13, 2013
DECATUR -- Parents worry about their kids' futures after hearing the district announce Brush College Elementary School could close. District leaders say the building is old and not enough students attend.
They say they want to bus kids to other schools and close this. WCIA-3's Megan Brilley finds out saving money is not the issue.
District officials say it's all part of their utilization effort so kids can take advantage of newer schools in the district. Fewer than 170 kids attend Brush College.
Parents say that's not a negative. It's the whole reason they put their kids in the district in the first place.
"My kids are just now getting familiar with this school."
Ashley Collins grew up in this neighborhood. She moved back so her two kids could go here.
"I wanted the experience of my kids walking to school like I did when I was younger."
When she was a student, Collins walked to school with other kids from the neighborhood. Twenty years later, it's a tradition she wants to pass along to her own kids.
"Some of the teachers that I had when I was there are still there. They still recognize me."
But, Tuesday night, she heard some news which could derail her dream.
"All these thoughts started going through my head."
The district is proposing moving the kids to Hope Academy, a school in the inner city they say has technology and space to further students' educations.
"I wasn't very happy with the two schools of choice that they're trying to bus my kids to."
Parents say they moved to the Brush College area for the small-town feel. Everyone knows everyone and teachers are close with students.
"Teachers are very close. I mean, 20-kids per classroom. Principal. Awesome principal. Very involved with the students' lives there."
The district says closing the school won't change that. Teachers will follow students to new schools, but parents think the move will change their children's futures. They're doing whatever they can to keep these doors open.
"Maybe we can change their minds."
The district has until February 26 to make a final decision. Parents say they're going to try to start a petition, post on Facebook, make calls and desperately do anything they can to keep the school open.
More possible changes could include widening Brush College Road in the next few years. It would involve cutting into the district's property.
They say they want to bus kids to other schools and close this. WCIA-3's Megan Brilley finds out saving money is not the issue.
District officials say it's all part of their utilization effort so kids can take advantage of newer schools in the district. Fewer than 170 kids attend Brush College.
Parents say that's not a negative. It's the whole reason they put their kids in the district in the first place.
"My kids are just now getting familiar with this school."
Ashley Collins grew up in this neighborhood. She moved back so her two kids could go here.
"I wanted the experience of my kids walking to school like I did when I was younger."
When she was a student, Collins walked to school with other kids from the neighborhood. Twenty years later, it's a tradition she wants to pass along to her own kids.
"Some of the teachers that I had when I was there are still there. They still recognize me."
But, Tuesday night, she heard some news which could derail her dream.
"All these thoughts started going through my head."
The district is proposing moving the kids to Hope Academy, a school in the inner city they say has technology and space to further students' educations.
"I wasn't very happy with the two schools of choice that they're trying to bus my kids to."
Parents say they moved to the Brush College area for the small-town feel. Everyone knows everyone and teachers are close with students.
"Teachers are very close. I mean, 20-kids per classroom. Principal. Awesome principal. Very involved with the students' lives there."
The district says closing the school won't change that. Teachers will follow students to new schools, but parents think the move will change their children's futures. They're doing whatever they can to keep these doors open.
"Maybe we can change their minds."
The district has until February 26 to make a final decision. Parents say they're going to try to start a petition, post on Facebook, make calls and desperately do anything they can to keep the school open.
More possible changes could include widening Brush College Road in the next few years. It would involve cutting into the district's property.
