White Rock Elementary smallerAfter I wrote last week about RISD plans to build new classrooms in Lake Highlands, I heard from lots of folks who told me I got it wrong.

It’s not the first time.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

I said the MPE community isn’t ready to move forward with the district proposal to build 4-6 new classrooms, but at White Rock and Wallace Elementary, “proposals to add classrooms were met with a more favorable response.”

Not so fast, said many.

Julie Jodie, former president of LHFC and LHAEC PTA and board member at WRE, is one of many concerned about proposed changes at White Rock.

“Everyone in White Rock understands that we have to do something about the overcrowding issue, we just want to make sure that they aren’t applying a quick-fix solution. We were presented with a proposal to add new classrooms.  The proposal did not include updates to the common areas or address concerns about needing additional staff in those areas.  Even with a plan that includes these items, I don’t know anyone who wants a neighborhood school of 900 children.  It loses the community feel that attracted us to Lake Highlands.”

“Residents asked about the possibility of changing boundary lines, building new schools or shifting special programs to other facilities, and it did not seem that these ideas had been considered.  We asked them to come back to us with more information.  I feel that we should be presented with choices.  The WRE playground is our community green space and once we give it up, we will never get it back. We need to consider what is best for our neighborhood and the entire Lake Highlands community for the future, not just the next few years.”

Lizzy Cronin, another mom of former WRE students, agrees.

“There is enough classroom space now. What’s lacking is room for specials, REACH, counselors, resource, that sort of thing. We could add multipurpose areas and take the strain off people who’ve been displaced. If the kids were being displaced, that would be one thing. They’re not. It’s the specials.”

“What’s happening in the neighborhood is people are tearing down 3/2 houses owned by empty nesters and building 4 or 5 bedroom homes. When they put in that kind of investment, they plan to stay many years – maybe forever. The neighborhood just flipped over, and it’s experiencing growing pains. In a few years, elementary aged children won’t live there anymore.”

“If we add 6 full-size classrooms, they will fill every desk with a body from somewhere. People are in favor of something happening, but in the long run, these problems will go away. Most people would prefer a portable.”

Lynn Davenport, commenter on the blog, says it’s time to consider drawing new boundary lines for Lake Highlands schools.

“The rep from RISD said everyone agrees that it is a great idea until it affects their street. True, but those lines were drawn 40+ years ago and it is time to reexamine them. When making decisions to expand schools, we need to consider what is best for the entire neighborhood.”

“If the district has an overflow/overcrowding problem,” Lynn continues,” they need to come up with solutions that won’t negatively affect our neighborhood schools. The district is in crisis mode. Busing and overflow is a band-aid fix and is not good for anyone. I believe the demographers are off on their estimations and it is much worse than they anticipate.”

While Wallace enrollment numbers are similar – just above 700 – ethnic diversity there keeps different issues on the front burner. The neighborhood around Wallace hasn’t experienced a building boom and real estate market like White Rock’s, but houses sell quickly and apartment rental rates are near 100%. Homes formerly owned by the over-65 set now sport soccer goals in the yard and bikes with training wheels.

Apartment communities feeding Wallace draw a large international refugee population, particularly from Burma, aka Myanmar. Parents and teachers put in extra time all year and over the summer to make sure refugee and impoverished populations succeed.

“We did not have the heavy turnout that MPE and WRE had,” Principal Debbie Evans Yarger told me, “but our parents’ main concerns were having a bigger cafeteria, additional restrooms and more pullout spaces to go along with the six new classrooms. The parents also want to ensure we have enough staff support for additional students.”

Unlike at WRE and MPE, Wallace parents, when asked for a show of hands, most responded that they were ready to move forward with construction. “In a strong voice, they say they want all of the Wallace kids that live in the Wallace zone to come to Wallace,” said Yarger. The non-binding parent straw polls at WRE and MPE were to wait for more information.

RISD administrators have presentations planned at Wallace tonight/Tuesday, October 15, at WRE Monday, Oct. 21 and at MPE Wed. Oct. 23. RISD trustees will vote on classroom additions at their meeting October 30.