Forest Hills School District parents speak out on potential high school merger
Once again chaos and confusion reigned at a Forest Hills school board meeting, but this time it was not about the school curriculum. The parents said rumors of consolidation at Anderson and Turpin High Schools prompted them to show up for last night’s meeting, but no progress was made. . “The behavior I saw at that school board meeting last night was despicable,” said Anderson Township board member R. Dee Stone. Forest Hills School District parents continued to preach that they want transparency. “I think it’s a lot of pain, I think it’s a lot of frustration that we’re seeing – in no way condoning the explosion that’s happened. But I think it’s a real pain to be ignored,” parent Jason Simmons said. “We can’t make any headway with the school board, at least in terms of the conversation. Understanding the thought process that goes into the decision.” “This idea of consolidation came to our attention because the district inherited significant financial issues due to the previous board,” Forest Hills School Board member Sara Jonas said, leading the crowd to erupt. Those financial issues left a balance of more than $90 million. Consolidation would displace the 1 200 Anderson students at Mercer Elementary, which is on the Turpin campus Mercer students are reportedly moving to other elementary schools in the district Parents raised concerns at township trustees meeting tonight of Anderson. “We are aware that at least one director has been involved in plans to sell Anderson,” said a community member. “The most negative thing a di school can do is tell thousands of kids that it doesn’t matter what they want. This money is more important than them,” said another. Parents said consolidation means fewer classrooms, longer bus rides and higher transportation costs. “Building when inflation is low, employment is high and materials are cheap. It’s not the other way around,” Sarah said. Many parents argued that they had come to seek the help of the school counselor to regain the trust of the school board. Trustees responded by saying that parents should pay more attention to who they vote for.
Once again chaos and confusion reigned at a Forest Hills school board meeting, but this time it was not about the school curriculum. The parents said rumors of consolidation at Anderson and Turpin High Schools prompted them to show up for last night’s meeting, but no progress was made.
Tonight the parents showed up at a meeting of trustees hoping for answers, wanting leaders to work for them rather than against them.
“The behavior I saw at that school board meeting last night was despicable,” said Anderson Township board member R. Dee Stone.
Parents in the Forest Hills School District continued to preach that they wanted transparency.
“I think it’s a lot of pain, I think it’s a lot of frustration that we’re seeing – in no way condoning the explosion that’s happened. But I think it’s a real pain to be ignored,” parent Jason Simmons said. “We can’t make any headway with the school board, at least in terms of the conversation. Understanding the thought process that goes into the decision.”
“This idea of consolidation came to our attention because the district inherited significant financial issues from the previous council,” Forest Hills School Board member Sara Jonas said, leading the crowd to erupt.
These financial problems left a balance of over $90 million. The consolidation would move Anderson’s 1,200 students to Mercer Elementary, which is on the Turpin campus. Mercer students would move to other elementary schools in the district. Tonight, the parents brought their concerns to the meeting of Anderson Township Trustees.
“We are aware that at least one admin has been involved in plans to sell Anderson,” a community member said.
“The most negative thing a school district can do is tell thousands of kids it doesn’t matter what they want. That money is more important than them,” said another .
Parents said consolidation means fewer classrooms, longer bus rides and higher transportation costs.
“Build when inflation is low, employment is high, and materials are cheap. It’s not the other way around,” Sarah said.
Many parents argued that they had come to seek the help of the school counselor to regain the trust of the school board. Trustees responded by saying that parents should be more careful about who they vote for.