Dear Editor:
(In response to: ‘Debate over schools of choice: Boom or bust?? The Citizen, March 7, page 1).
I had no idea that 10 percent of our student population is schools of choice kids. Second, I hear that there is a full bus of kids coming into our high school everyday from Pontiac School District as part of our schools of choice program. Third, I hear from a source within Pontiac Northern High School that there are approximately 300 more students planning on transferring to the Brandon School District when that high school closes down. Apparently, it is known in the Pontiac School District that, ‘Brandon Schools will take anybody?. I do not know about you, but this really concerns me. Fourth, I hear that so many students from Pontiac are dropped off at school bus stops at the two trailer parks in our district that the bus is overcrowded and some students have had to sit on the floor of the bus on their way to school.
I am deeply concerned about the future safety of our children and the quality of education they will be getting in the future if schools of choice continues. This schools of choice policy for Brandon Schools needs to be carefully reviewed and both the elected school Board and the administration need to answer to the taxpayers citizens of the district. I like to be informed and to make decisions on facts, so I want the school board to address the four issues I mentioned above. I am anxious to hear whether this information is really true or just rumor, and if it is true, what is the administration and school board going to do about it.
Even if you do not have school age children going to Brandon Schools, this will affect you. Think about it, if