Mergering Newport Elementary Schools

[East End Mom]

Are these rumors true? I m hearing ADO and FS are merging and plans are already in the works.

[Wildcat]

A teacher friend of mine said yes, it is true. I hope the new board members keep this ball rolling. Which members are against it?

[Park Ave]

I would love to see the two schools merge. I might then consider sending my daughter to the Newport schools.

[Porter]

What a great way to cut costs. Would the kids move up to AD Owens?

[NewportParent]

Love it! I heard that the entire board is going this direction. Kudos to each member!!! Thank you!!!

[Oro]

SELL Fourth St it is a dump

[NPTaxpayer]

This makes $en$e. I like the idea, a lot.

[Curious1]

How much money will this save?

[newport wildcat]

I liked Ken Fields(former board member-now decd) idea which was to close all three,build a new k-8 facility, eliminating middle school. But I guess this is better than no change at all. The district is shrinking so rapidly now it makes sense. It's just a matter of time before MD is no longer viable financialy. Whats their enrollment? 200 or so?

[anon]

One of the board members suggested this idea a couple years ago. Happy to read this good news. About time.

[Involved Parent]

School district budgets across the state are leaner than they have ever been. What a good way to trim the budget without reducing student services. Hats off to the Newport Board of Education and Mr. Brandt. This is what the public wants to read about, smart fiscal management.

[BusinessMan]

For too long, school districts have been immune from the pressures that have made other organizations and businesses become more cost-efficient and affordable.

Every businessperson knows that savings occur when inefficient operations are consolidated, wage increases are kept to a minimum, and outmoded ways of doing business are eliminated. These same basic business precepts have to be applied to our school districts. There's no other choice; it's as simple as that.

Good move Newport schools - merging is the right answer.

[Just saying]

Well, duh! This should have been done years ago and any board member who's been around for a while should be ashamed of themselves for not doing it sooner!

[A Janovic]

I've been pushing for a merger for a few years. There is a lot of push back in our district. No matter which way the board goes - 4th Street or Mildred Dean - some people will not be happy. So....the challenge to all of you is...make your voices heard at official meetings - not just on this blog-- and be sure the board makes its decision on sound data and smart financial advice, not emotions.

[Wildcat]

Hey, A Janovic, print this blog off and take it to a board meeting, then we will all be heard.

[Red Skies]

I heard that they was going to use the old thriftway store on york as the new combined school

[Love Newport]

A Janovic wrote:

I've been pushing for a merger for a few years. There is a lot of push back in our district. No matter which way the board goes - 4th Street or Mildred Dean - some people will not be happy. So....the challenge to all of you is...make your voices heard at official meetings - not just on this blog-- and be sure the board makes its decision on sound data and smart financial advice, not emotions.

Does it save money, without a doubt? Too often I have seen these types of things floated out and when it is all said and done, there is not much savings due to retrofitting or bussing the kids or whatever?

Andrea, can you give us some numbers?

[BHarris]

Love Newport, are you kidding? Think of the energy savings!!! Maintenance !!! How about potential tax savings to those of us who live here. If they can all fit into one building, why not!!!
My guess, you are stuck in the past and don't like change. Get real. Go Janovic! Go Newport Board of Education! You guys are getting your act together!

[NewportVoter]

Let me predict -- next you will see some whiny 4th St teachers on here objecting. Don't stretch their comfort zone. That is why they did not support Janovich. Janovich is making the right move on this one. I support her and Mr. Brant on this one.

[whatdaheck]

Love Newport wrote:

<quoted text>
Does it save money, without a doubt? Too often I have seen these types of things floated out and when it is all said and done, there is not much savings due to retrofitting or bussing the kids or whatever?

What in the world are you talking about bussing the kids? We are not bussing them across the county, what is it 11 or 12 blocks!!!