A very vocal group of East Wake High teachers, parents and students are lobbying hard to save the school's small school theme.
As noted in today's article, a large contingent from East Wake High argued that they should be given more time to continue operating the campus as four small schools. The school board is contemplating discontinuing the program after the end of the 2009-10 school year and returning East Wake to a traditional comprehensive high school.
Supporters of the small schools told the school board a change would be a big mistake.
"Don’t let us fall back," said teacher Kelley Yonce to the school board. "We all see it as a backward step to where our children are invislble and where we as professionals are invisible and where apathy rules."
A major theme repeated over and over again is that having schools with only around 400 students allows students and teachers to develop relationships that aren't possible at a big high school.
"If East Wake is made a large high school again I fear students will be lost in the shuffle," said Tina Lynn, a parent. "Who will advocate for them? Give East Wake High School a fair chance to succeed.
Amber Hales, a senior, talked about how she's gone from being "a very troubled child" to now being the first person in her family who will go to college.
"I know it has changed my life and it will change the lives of many other students," Hales said.
Speakers acknowledged East Wake High's troubled past. But they say things have improved since the first small school opened in 2005.
"The image at that school has tremendously changed in the community," said Collette Parker, a parent. "I’ve heard parens who said they’d never go to East Wake. But I’ve since seen them reconsider."
Theodore Smith, a parent, said not letting the program continue would "bring mockery to Wake."
"Do you wish to bring mockery to your community because you’ve lacked the effort to continue this positive work?" Smith said to the board.
Even with all the passionate words on Tuesday, the fact of the matter is that state test scores haven't gone up at East Wake. They've gone down in several areas, which is helping fuel criticism by board members such as Lori Millberg.
It also doesn't take away from the fact that East Wake High offers fewer Advanced Placement courses than other high schools. Students usually only take courses with classmates in their school, making it harder to build up enrollment for AP courses.
It's all leading up to what could be a heated board discussion on June 2.
