Polk is a model for other schools to follow

There is no valid reason for closing Polk Elementary. The real reasons for Superintendent Dave Benson recommending that Polk be closed are bad.

I see those reasons as: 1) He wants the money for other things. 2) Polk proved him and constructivists wrong by effectively teaching the supposedly “unteachable” English language learners and poor and minority students. 3) The unneeded $44 million new administration building costs more than $57 million a year to staff, operate and payoff.

Polk administrators and teachers improved instruction, reduced academic failures and got Polk off the federal school in need of assistance list without waivers. Washington High School, the district's worst, on the list for six consecutive years, and 18 other district schools, remain on the dreaded list and Benson makes bogus excuses for them.

If the district claim could be trusted, up to $757,410 would be saved by closing Polk. This is only .26 percent of the district's $289,442,327 budget and only 1.33 percent of what it costs to operate the new administration building. Good management would easily achieve more savings by streamlining administration and controlling pay raises, if any, for persistent academic failures and falling enrollment.

Benson should praise Polk's achievements and keep Polk open as an example of how it's done. Monroe should be kept open, as well, for the kids.

Learn more about this school closing mismanagement mess at www.iowalive.net/close

noschools.htm.

Dick Fredericks

Palo