Supporters Try In Vain To Keep Schools Open
By Steve Alexander Reporter
Published: April 28 2009 - 11:01 pm Last Updated: April 28 2009 - 11:24 pm
Supporters of three Mobile County Schools recommended for closure put up a last minute effort Tuesday night to keep the schools open.Still, the Mobile County School Board voted to close Hillsdale Middle School, Fonvielle Elementary School and Woodcock Elementary School.Before the vote, supporters of the schools had a chance to talk to board members one more time. Ronald Wallace, a supporter of Woodcock Elementary, told board members, "I think closing Woodcock would be detrimental to our kids because they'll be going to a different environment, a new school, (with) people that they do not know, probably people that they don't really want to be around because they're afraid of them."Fonvielle Supporter Yasmine Coker said, "Closing Bessie C. Fonvielle based on monetary savings will in no way outweigh the cultural and historical experience and the nature of this institution."Gary Hart wanted to keep Hillsdale Middle School open. He told board members, "We're increasing our population. These people moved to Hillsdale because there was a school in the community. Tell me why is it that you think a community school doesn't work?"After listening to about a dozen speakers, the school board voted 5 to 0 to close Hillsdale Middle School and Fonvielle Elementary School. The board voted 3 to 2 to close Woodcock Elementary School, with Board members Levon Manzie and Dr. Reginald Crenshaw voting against the closing. After that vote, many people in the audience left.The board also voted to re-locate the math and science middle school program from Clark to the old Shaw High School.
