Doors finally open on school closing debate

So the issue of potential school closings is now out of the hard data phase and into the politics, according to Cedar Rapids Community Schools Superintendent Dave Benson.

I say it's about time.

I know we all hate politics. It's so messy and loud and emotional. Confrontations and unpleasantness.

That's why the superintendent formed a large enrollment/facilities advisory committee to look at the hard data and render a clinical diagnosis. He closed its meetings to the public, to protect its “integrity” from potential unpleasantness.

I commend its members for serving, for giving up many hours over four months and tackling tough issues. I will not, however, commend Benson for closing its deliberations. I could never endorse shutting the public out of a discussion this important.

Neat, tidy integrity sure is swell. But I've always been a muddled, messy democracy guy myself. And boy, am I sick of closed doors. Don't get me started.

But, thankfully, the doors are opening now.

The committee's recommendations for closing either Harrison or Madison Elementary, along with Polk and Monroe, and changes for other buildings and boundaries, are headed for the elected school board and a public input process. Two public sessions are slated for February, along with open school board meetings in January.

I hope the public gets the same extensive, clear explanation of the hard data that the committee received during its deliberations. It's complicated, but it's important that residents fully understand the trends that sparked this process. Don't give this town yet another placard fest where no one answers public questions in public.

I've looked through materials posted online and haven't found an explanation on how the various options would improve the education received by students. It would be pretty tough to evaluate or make any final decision without that kind of data.

I hope efforts being made to redevelop and revitalize the city's core neighborhoods become part of the district discussion. The city's leaders are betting its future on renewal, not sprawl. Whatever the district decides could have a profound impact on those fragile efforts. I understand school budget concerns, but more is at stake for the broader community.

Maybe we'll get some new, creative ideas that haven't been explored. You never know.

If, in the end, closures are made, so be it. That will be easier to swallow if first we get a real debate, messy perhaps, but open, healthy and substantive. And along with open doors, I hope school leaders have open minds.