One of the tough choices the Lansing School District is facing in 2012 is the idea of restructuring.
Wednesday, the district proposed moving students from Post Oak to Pattengill Middle School because of a lack of space. While teachers say the space is necessary, parents are not all that convinced.
The districts latest plan to move the fourth and fifth graders from Post Oak Middle School to Pattengill is all about space and the lack of it. Simply put, the international baccalaureate program is too big.
"Post Oak has been bursting at the seams in terms of that program and have exceeded the capacity for that building," said Deputy Superintendent Jim Davis.
Faculty at Post Oak say they're teaching in rooms a third of the size they need. And since a similar program is offered at Pattengill the district says it just makes sense to transfer around 100 students just down the road.
"It's growing too quickly, we need to expand it, this makes the most sense to expand that program," said John Hall, parent and community advisory council member.
Though it's being pushed as a good move for education, some parents aren't buying it.
"If you put fourth and fifth graders in the middle school, you will lose," said Ann Grimm, parent.
Grimm says it is the wrong move for the kids.
"I don't care how good the program is, they are going to say goodbye, they are going to go to Grand Ledge, to Mason, to Holt, to Haslett, to Okemos, wherever they can go because they will be afraid," said Grimm.
The school district says they understand those concerns and they have a solution.
"We have a very solid plan for providing space within the building that would keep them entirely separate from the older students," said Davis.
The plan would also separate lunch schedules, start times and bus routes. But for some parents that's not good enough.
All concerns aside, in these tough economic times the district says they're running out of options. The Lansing School District says parents would receive a letter before a final decision is made.
If restructuring does occur, parents would have the opportunity to go to another school within the district.
