GRAND RAPIDS - It was a busy and tense night Tuesday for Grand Rapids Public Schools as the board unanimously voted on a high school restructuring plan while teachers made a scathing proclamation about Superintendent Dr. Bernard Taylor.
Under the redesign, the district will go from having four traditional high schools to two-- Union and Ottawa Hills. The remaining two high schools; Creston and Central will not be shut down, but rather converted into smaller theme based schools.
"We're trying to make some very bold long term systemic reforms," says Communications Director, John Helmholdt.
Creston and Central High will be thematic schools with an emphasis on math, engineering, and health science.
"These schools are going to be very specific in their curricular focus as opposed to the more generic way we offer high school programs now," says Superintendent, Dr. Bernard Taylor.
All students however will be prepared and meet high school graduation requirements.
"We're going to focus on all the core curriculum; reading, writing, math, and social studies-- but those (schools) will be centered around these subject areas,? says Helmholdt.
The buildings will also be renovated to meet instructional needs. Varsity athletics will also be impacted with only Union and Ottawa Hills maintaining their teams.
"Will it be the Union Red Hawks and Ottawa Hills, or will it be Grand Rapid East and Grand Rapids West?" wonders Helmholdt.
Those details will have to be flushed out but as far as the district is concerned change is needed for academic success.
"We've been doing business as usual and we're going to start doing it out of the box," says Helmholdt.
The very last item at Tuesday night's meeting was an announcement made by Paul Helder, President of the Grand Rapids Education Association.
He read a statement on behalf of the union's 1700 members-- a declaration of ?no confidence? in Superintendent Dr. Bernard Taylor based on what they call "glaring safety issues that are continuously ignored."
"Where as he has continually abdicated his responsibility as a leader to take charge of those schools, where administration refuses to enforce both District Policy and Sate Laws regarding student discipline," says Helder.
"We have taken a vote of ?no confidence' in the leadership of Dr. Bernard Taylor, Jr. and ask the Board of Education to consider how much longer they will continue to support the Superintendent."
After that statement, every school board member individually gave their public support to Dr. Taylor. Catherine Mueller, Board Treasurer says, "Dr. Taylor, I have no problem giving you a vote of support. I think you are leading us to do what's best for students."
Vice President of the School Board, Lisa Hinkel says, "I have never thought once that this man sitting next to me was not doing what's right for our children."
In response, Paul Helder with the GREA, says he is not suprised by the board's support. He says they just wanted to make the board aware of the issues. They are now discussing what to do next.
In your voice
