New elementaries offer chance for new ideas

Cape Henlopen school board is moving ahead with plans for a new elementary school on Route 24 and a recently adopted a plan, to be submitted for approval to state education officials, to update or replace its four existing elementary schools.

For the past decade, the district has debated the future of Milton’s two elementary schools; though only a mile apart, state data show H.O.Brittingham Elementary has a population that is largely low-income, with a majority of black and Hispanic students, while Milton Elementary’s population is largely white, with far fewer low-income students.

In some years, results of state testing have revealed a significant achievement gap when it comes to students at H.O. Britttingham. This is not to say the teachers and students are not working hard at the school. It is to say that every child deserves the resources needed to succeed. The school board is well aware this achievement gap exists, yet year after year, nothing changes.

Superintendent Robert Fulton has said the populations of Milton’s two elementaries can be balanced by redrawing boundary lines.

The Cape Gazette has repeatedly requested details about the proposed boundaries. Officials say they will not be finalized until October or November. The school board is then expected to make a decision on the grade configurations at each of the Milton schools by December.

Changing the school boundaries, if it’s even possible, will require some families to change schools. No matter how the lines are drawn, some neighborhoods will be considered winners, while others will be considered losers.

The timetable proposed by the district simply does not offer the public a fair chance to review the proposed boundaries and offer meaningful comment. Beyond that, school board members appear intent on building identical new elementary buildings on Route 24, at H.O. Brittingham and in Rehoboth.

It’s time to rethink these plans. Far more public discussion is needed about what parents want for their children. Has the board considered year-round learning for any of the elementaries? What about bilingual education or a magnet school for arts and science at H.O. Brittingham, that would attract a more diverse population without forcing anyone to change schools? Instead of drawing new lines, redraw school programs, and let parents and students decide for themselves which school will serve them best.