Changes In Store For Some Middle School Students

Monday, April 9th 2007, 6:18 am

By: News On 6

One of the Tulsa Public School district's lowest performing middle schools is shutting its doors. The Tulsa school board voted to close Monroe Middle School at Monday nightâ€™s meeting. That decision was one of a couple of school shakeups.

School board members say students at Monroe are doing better after beefed up instruction, but they're still not where they should be. Hundreds of Monroe 6th and 7th graders will go to Gilcrease Intermediate School next year.

About a half a dozen people spoke out against the plan. Some of those attending say the school district of poured money into the school to build a science lab then didnâ€™t provide the school with a certified science teacher. Only one school board member agreed with the Monroe supporters. "If the state came in and looked at Monroe and said they're making progress. And we're hearing from the board that itâ€™s not fast enough. Well they didn't get in the shape in one year and they're not going to correct it in one year," says Monroe Middle School supporter Regina Goodwin.

The Tulsa school board also decided to overhaul alternative education. The district will close three old programs, Lindsey Learning Academy, Pershing and Phoenix at the end of the school year. Those three programs will be replaced with two new programs. One is short term; the other is for students on long-term suspension.

Finally, a pre-K program that was supposed to be dissolved is saved for now. Supporters of Tulsa's Bunche Early Childhood Development Center packed Monday night's meeting. The school board has decided to table the matter, but it will most likely come up again.

For a complete list of the proposals: Tulsa Public Schools' New District Plan

Related stories:

3/22/2007 - Monroe Middle School On The Chopping Block

3/26/2007 - Child Development Center Faces Closing For Good