Last week, Anderson Community Schools closed facilities and laid off three dozen teachers in response to a $5 million budget deficit. The action has been six months in the making.
An ACS timeline
— Nov. 11 — Supt. Mikella Lowe announces that ACS must cut $5 million from its budget by 2010 and that schools may need to be closed.
— Nov. 13 — ACS refuses to discuss closing scenarios proposed by administrative officials. (ACS denies request by The Herald Bulletin to view closing options reviewed by board members.)
— Nov. 24 — ACS goes public with closing options reviewed by board members.
— Nov. 29 — ACS forms community advisory panel to review closing options, provide input.
— Dec. 4 — Community workshops begin.
— Dec. 16 — ACS principals given notice of potential staff layoffs.
— March 3 — Panel recommends closing North Side Middle School, Southview Elementary and Robinson Elementary, as well as moving Ebbertt Education Center to Wigwam.
— March 10 — ACS board decides to keep North Side open and close South Side and three other schools.
— May 26 — Anderson lays off 36 teachers.
— May 29 — Southview, Robinson observe last day of school ever. South Side prepares for administration and elementary school. Ebbertt prepares for move to Wigwam.
xACS: Challenges Ahead
Related Photos
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John P. Cleary
Discussion
May 30, 2009
ACS: A timeline
- xACS: Challenges Ahead
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ACS: Difficult years ahead for system
ANDERSON — It was a tough year for Anderson Community Schools. Years to come might not get any easier. Trends that have become constants for the system — declining enrollment, shrinking revenue and a dismal graduation rate among them — reached worrisome levels.
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ACS: Interim chief: 'I will attack this position'
ANDERSON – A few words from Lennon Brown eventually get around to a conundrum engraved on a plaque in his office. “Everybody wants to get to heaven, but nobody wants to die.” The man who will serve as interim superintendent after 36 years with Anderson Community Schools laughs that he’s gotten calls congratulating him, and calls asking why he’d give up retirement for this.
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ACS: Parents' involvement makes difference
ANDERSON – Parents’ involvement in their children’s education can make difference. It might even save the kids’ school. When the board of Anderson Community Schools this year considered a proposal to close Killbuck Elementary, Dave Lewis took it personally.
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ACS: By the numbers
ACS by the numbers
— 9,421: Number of students enrolled, K-12, 2008-09
— 12,804: Number enrolled, K-12, 20 years ago
— 26.4%: Decline in number of students in past two decades
— 8,623: Projected enrollment, K-12, in 2012-13, a decrease of 9.5 percent -
ACS: A timeline
Last week, Anderson Community Schools closed facilities and laid off three dozen teachers in response to a $5 million budget deficit. The action has been six months in the making.
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