Complaints Target New Alternative School

By Ashli Sims, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A neighborhood is venting its frustrations over a new Tulsa alternative school. Dozens of Tulsa residents say they don't want a new drug and alcohol program in their neighborhood.

New Vision Pilot Academy is slated to open next month at Fulton Teaching and Learning Academy, near 34th and Memorial. That's got some folks who live in that area upset.

Complaints from neighbors scuttled the first version of this program. It got a new name and a new location. But, it seems like Tulsa Public Schools still has the same old problems with a different set of residents.

Some say they don't want the new alternative school in their backyard. That sentiment was cheered and echoed throughout a Fulton neighborhood meeting. Dozens of residents packed Aldersgate Methodist Church to say New Vision Academy doesn't fit in to their vision of their neighborhood.

"First of all, we didn't know anything about it until it was coming here and the age group it's going to help. I'm very concerned about," said Donna Clare, Fulton resident.

TPS first introduced the program as Burbank Academy, housed at Bell Annex. But, White City residents complained that the program targeting students with drug and alcohol problems was too close to an elementary school.

The district agreed and moved it to Fulton Learning Center as, New Vision. Fulton neighbors, including their city councilor, say they were taken by surprise.

"I had contacted Gary Percefull the chairman of the school board he assured me it wasn't going in and the next thing I knew is that it was a done deal," said Bill Martinson, Tulsa City Council.

TPS tried to emphasize that this is a small, pilot program of only 10 to 20 students that will be under the watchful eye of other adults who already work at Fulton.

"Our program is not designed for violent students, aggressive students, or "anger management" students," said Dr. Taylor Young with TPS.

One Fulton resident says the students need an education, otherwise they're going to be out there being drug dealers.

Fulton neighbors weren't convinced the program would stay small and a pilot for long. And they didn't believe the school district would listen to their concerns later, if they weren't hearing them now.

"Why weren't we told, ‘we're thinking about your area. What's your input?' No. They just said this is coming, whether you like it or not. And I resent that," said Clare.

A Tulsa school board member says the district did send out letters to the neighborhood. And they held an informational meeting before school started that was poorly attended.

Despite neighbors' concerns, this seems to be a done deal. New Vision is supposed to open October 14th.

Related Stories:

08/18/2008  Board Approves New Vision Academy
07/22/2008  New Site Needed For Burbank Academy