Bring others to Polk instead of closing it

“Success worth saving!” The Polk Elementary School community knows this firsthand. That's why they proudly display this slogan in their front yards.

The “Polk experiment”: Recognize the real-life challenges that disadvantaged students face every day. Develop an education program that promotes a culture of success, which has surpassed everyone's expectations.

With a dramatic increase in student proficiency in English, math and science, Polk's exceptional teachers, students and parents are justly proud of their success.

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that more than 40 percent of the variation in reading and math scores is directly related to child poverty rates. This documented correlation between poverty and educational success represents a huge threat to our society.

Polk is one of the district's “gems.” It should not be closed. Students should be neither bussed out nor mainstreamed. Its proven, cohesive staff should be left intact. To squander this highly successful program would be a tragic loss. Rather, bus in other low-income students to Polk to spread this success districtwide. Let Polk teachers continue to light the way for their kids and to use their experience to train other teachers.

Polk's success is definitely worth saving!

Norman Barnes

Hiawatha