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Mike Moser Maybe Santa can deliver
a high school Dear Santa, My wish is not in the form of criticism for
past acts and decisions or for laying blame, and is not for me
specifically, but for the future welfare of Cumberland County,
and most importantly for our children. It is my hope that we
can all join together for the common good of our community. My Christmas list has one wish on it this
year Santa, and I believe if anything can make this wish come
true, it is your spirit of remembering all children at this time
of year. In this case, the children of Cumberland County cry
out to you. We need another high school. I know that is a big order, but all you have
to do is review the facts and spend a day at Cumberland County
High School to understand the urgency of this request. Even if
you started now, it would be at least two years before such a
school could open its doors. I don't want any more Cumberland County children
to have to deal with the numbers and logistics that presently
exist at CCHS. Nor do I want our education administrators and
teachers challenging and shaping the minds of our youth to work
under such conditions. The present enrollment at CCHS is 1,905 students,
all under one roof, making our school the third largest in the
state. Cookeville High School has us beat by two students. Educators who know say any school with a population
of 1,500 is considered a very large school. The logistics alone
make this an unbelievable nightmare. If you don't believe me, Santa, then I ask
you to visit at CCHS for one year. Spend the day with my stepdaughter,
a senior who cannot carry a backpack for her books, yet cannot
get to her locker between classes to pick up or leave textbooks
because of the mass of humanity flowing through the halls. Try
going to the lunchroom at her allotted meal time, getting a tray,
sitting down, eating and getting to the next class on time. Because of the sheer numbers going through
the cafeteria, some days it just doesn't happen. Santa, I would
like you to give any doubters about this time to spend a day
in the hallways at CCHS. Santa, if that doesn't convince you, then
consider this: CCHS houses 26 percent of the student population
of the county. The remaining 74 percent is distributed among
nine elementary schools. Why is it important to keep 26 percent
of the student population in one building, with the remaining
buildings averaging only 8 percent? Help me understand why it
is important on one hand, and not important on the other. Next year the county will be in danger of
violating state regulations concerning class size at CCHS and
if that happens, we lose some Better Education Program funding. I have not even touched on problems of early
dropouts, inequitable discipline, the fostering of teacher/student
relationships, or mentorships, fewer opportunities for extracurricular
activities which do play a role in student development. I worry about fewer and fewer CCHS graduates
going to college and obtaining their higher education degrees.
I have one daughter who graduated from CCHS.
I have a stepdaughter who will graduate this year. And I have
a daughter who will start at CCHS next year. It has been scary
for me as a parent, and continues to be scary. We are talking about opportunities for our
children. A better educated work force of the future which translates
into a higher quality of life for all of us. I do believe, Santa,
that as a community, we will all benefit by an enhanced educational
opportunity afforded with a second high school. So, for me this year, I will take my lump
of coal if you will help the powers that be find the wisdom to
address this problem as fast as they can, making it the top priority
of 2002. As always, the milk and cookies will be on
the table. Thanks. Mike · · · |