Recordpub.com - Field school board majority explains action on academy

In response to the March 9 article in the Record-Courier, titled "Falcon Academy is losing its wings," the majority of the Field Board of Education responds as follows:

We sincerely understand and appreciate the disappointment felt by those interested in the Falcon Academy. It was only after months of endless research, work sessions, meetings, countless calls to the Ohio Department of Education and discussions, that the majority of the board came to the difficult conclusion that because of ongoing inconsistencies, unanswered question, failure to provide documents requested and lack of specifics, too many red flags were waving -- threatening the academy's potential success. The following is a rather brief explanation of our position.

The proposed Falcon Academy is separate from Field Local Schools. Field administration, at the expense of the Field Local Schools, will oversee its operation.

The only funds the academy has received to date are start-up funds received in August 2009, in the amount of $50,000. Unfortunately, due to poor planning and attention to detail, the check remained in the school safe until February and when those responsible attempted to cash the check -- it had expired. Consequently, because of a failure to follow proper procedures, Field Local Schools has borne the cost of all start-up expenses from July 2009 to present. Had proper procedures and sound fiscal management been followed, the grant check would have been immediately deposited in a separate account as is required, and only those funds used, which was of course, the State's intent in allotting the $50,000 for start-up expenses.

The grant balance of $450,000 was to be provided to the academy in two increments of $225,000 each year for two years. After that time the academy must reapply for more grants. Further, these grants cannot be used for salaries but are restricted funds for equipment, supplies, etc. for the Falcon Academy.

The board met with their concerns on the Falcon Academy last summer and expressed items to be placed in the contract to protect Field Local Schools and our teachers. We were told "no problem," that those items would be in the contract. None of those items were in the contract received by the board last week.

According to the vague contract submitted to the board just days before the board meeting, which incidentally did not allow sufficient time for the board to consult an attorney for a legal opinion, a 3 percent return would be allotted to the Field Local Schools. This is an insignificant amount considering if 65 students attend the academy for which Field currently receives approximately $5,700 per student, Field Local Schools would realize an approximate $400,000 per year loss in revenue. The administration's response to this concern was that the difference would be made up from students coming to Field through open enrollment. Open enrollment occurs primarily in kindergarten and first grade -- the vacancies will be in third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms. This may allow those students left to be clustered into crowded third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms to free classroom space for another kindergarten or first grade classroom of open enrollment. And if there were still openings at the academy, open-enrolled students new to the district in grades 3-5 could opt for the academy rather than the existing elementary. Which means Field Local may never occupy those empty seats and restore their income.

The majority of the board questioned why the focus of the academy was on the elementary grades instead of middle and high school where the greatest need exists and from where we lose the majority of students to other schools. The response was that parents still make the decisions for their children at the elementary level, and therefore an increased chance for higher enrollment may be realized. This was a curious response in that the community schools realizing success are for middle and high school students and located in urban and declining areas.

Recently, the proposed staff of the Falcon Academy took a two-day tour of a performing arts school in Akron and Toledo -- both for middle and high school students and located in urban and declining areas, which did not allow for a fair comparison to an elementary school in a rural setting. In addition, admission to the Akron school is selective and accepted only through auditions. It was suggested the tour be postponed until after the March 8 meeting so further expense could be avoided and hopes would not be fostered until a final decision was made concerning the future of the academy. Unfortunately the administration chose not to follow the suggestion. Further, it is important to keep in mind that according to the Ohio Department of Education, the approximate life span of a community school in a rural area, such as ours, is two years. If a school fails, all equipment, supplies, etc. purchased through the grant, must be returned to the State or sold with the funds reverting to the State.

The board majority has been concerned about the lack of consistency in communication with parents, student and community which has resulted in considerable confusion. Parents were misled to believe the Falcon Academy was a "sure thing." Devastation was unfortunately felt when the "no" votes were cast. Originally parents were told it was for the gifted and advanced and would offer a rigorous curriculum. But, in actuality, the curriculum will be identical to the currently offered curriculum in our elementary classes. However, the board has not as yet received specifics on the curriculum, including the performing arts component that will be offered.

Also, parents were told all students, including children with special needs, would be accepted. However, at the time a board member requested specifics for the special education component, there were no plans to house a special education teacher, which is required by law. As of March 8, to our knowledge, this accommodation had still not been solidified.

The administration has publicly stated that 65 Field students are interested in attending the Falcon Academy. The board cannot deny or confirm the accuracy of this number. Despite repeated requests over a two-month time frame, for a list of potential attendees, the administration has failed to honor said request. In a meeting specifically scheduled for students from other school districts who might have an interest in attending the academy through open enrollment, not a single parent or student attended. Field administration and board members attended and waited -- to no avail. Consequently it was curious to read in the local newspaper that within a two-week period, 80 outside students had enrolled even though no meetings were held during that time period to accommodate open enrollment students and their families. Needless to say, the figures announced by the superintendent, Dr. Brobeck, in the Record-Courier, cannot be substantiated by the board.

Because of confidentiality issues, all concerns of the majority of the board cannot be aired in a public forum. However, we hope that we have provided some insight into a few of the issues (exclusive of several) that resulted in our taking the position we did.

Please trust that we worked tirelessly to do our homework before reaching a decision. We took the oath to offer the best possible education for all 2,400 Field students and it is that commitment that resulted in our decision.

Linda Cooper

President

Donna Karg

Allyson Westover

Members

Field Board of Education