(The views of this letter are from the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the publishing staff of the Lincoln Parish Journal.)
Two years ago, I wrote a letter in support of a school board millage renewal that would have been used to fuse the Ruston city elementary schools. The proposed renewal plan did not pass, but the goal of reconfiguring to benefit the kids attending Ruston city schools did not go away. Anyone who knows me knows that my family loves our schools. My children have attended Ruston city schools since preK and are currently attending RHS, RJHS, Cypress Springs Elementary, and Glen View Elementary. It has been a very unique experience with the way our schools are configured and the teachers and administrators have made the most of it. And while it has been a positive experience for us, this doesn’t mean it can’t be a better experience for others moving forward.
These proposed changes would have a positive impact for so many families and children who attend our city schools. Fewer transitions in such pivotal years can result in stronger relationships being formed between schools and families, increased continuity of academics, and less time spent learning new schools, administrators, procedures, and expectations. Our current configuration has children attending three different schools for PreK-5th grade and the proposed change would mean one school for PreK-5th grade, resulting in much needed consistency for all students.
Although the public was just made aware of this plan, the details have been in the works for much longer. Studies have been done and data has been poured over and the intention and planning behind this proposal is very well thought out. Through my own conversations with LPSB members and employees, it has become obvious to me that moving our district forward to provide a more stable and equitable academic experience is always the goal and the plans will always be evolving as our city grows and they see what works and what doesn’t. This is very much a big picture view with more moving parts that most of us realize and while this current proposal won’t address them all, I do believe the school board is moving us in the right direction and we’ve got to start somewhere.
Choudrant, Simsboro, and Dubach all currently have PreK in house with their elementary grades and while LPECC has benefits as a stand alone site, moving these classes into neighborhood schools would also have many benefits for not only the children attending but their parents as well. If you have ever had a conversation with me about schools, you know I not only highly value the diversity of our schools but I’m also very protective of it. I had concerns about losing this piece, but Ruston is not the same town it was 15 years ago. We’ve seen so much growth in not only businesses but housing developments in all areas of town.
While the demographic breakdown won’t be the same as it currently is, I don’t think it will be what it was 15 years ago. I also think it’s important to note that all four schools will continue to be equally funded. I don’t know a perfect solution to keep schools racially diverse, but I also know it is now illegal to draw school zone lines based on demographics. In my opinion based on what I’ve seen as a parent and conversations I’ve had with fellow families and educators, the benefits of going to a preK -5 model for all children but specifically the most vulnerable far outweigh demographic statistics. Diversity does not always mean equality and while diversity is important, equality in education is the goal of this plan. Working toward a school system that allows all students and their families to have easy access to their schools, build meaningful relationships with administrators, and have a more stable educational environment while receiving equal funding and resources is a win for everyone.
I appreciate LPSB members and employees and their efforts to advance the educational experience in Ruston. I highly encourage concerned community members to reach out and seek answers to your questions directly from the source. I support their decisions to move our schools forward and look forward to seeing the growth in Lincoln Parish.
Katie McCormick
