By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — The Easter holiday did little to stop parents from gathering to discuss the future of Anderson Community Schools on Sunday.
A group of concerned parents met at the North Anderson Church of God to discuss rumored school closings and the upcoming school board meeting where Killbuck Elementary could be added to the list of closed Anderson schools.
Last week, rumors swirled that ACS had decided to close Highland High School in order to help balance the budget. ACS must cut $5 million from the budget by 2010.
School Board President Teddy Bohnenkamp, who came to the parents’ meeting, dispelled rumors, stating that no board member has ever approached her about closing Highland.
Rumors also spread that Bohnenkamp, an Anderson High School graduate, would resign as school board president. “I’m not an Indian who’s going to close Highland and resign,” she said Sunday. “Whether you’re a Scot, or whether you’re an Indian, we’re all in this together.”
Bohnenkamp said she’s disappointed by the rumors and scare tactics. “We need to take this opportunity to have this community stop the scare tactics.”
Most parents in attendance spoke out against the closing of Killbuck.
Stacey Windlan’s child is enrolled at Killbuck, and she fears that closing the school will allow the Mallard Lake landfill to open, stating that the school stood as a barrier to the development for decades.
Others worried that property values would plummet if the landfill was opened.
Parent Dave Lewis is circulating a petition to keep Killbuck open, and said he’s got 170 signatures so far, and intends to come to the next school board meeting to speak his mind.
Parent Advisory Council President Andrea Clapp said there is a fundamental problem in the ACS system. “There is no trust. The administration doesn’t trust the parents. Parents don’t trust the teachers.”
Though ACS Superintendent Mikella Lowe has recommended that Killbuck be closed, Bohnenkamp assured parents that a decision has not yet been made. “No board member has voted to close Killbuck. Until I heard that there was going to be a recommendation from the superintendent, I had no knowledge about Killbuck.”
Bohnenkamp, the only board member in attendance, said she doubts that the school will be closed. “I can’t see it happening, but I’m speaking for myself.”
The board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Wigwam.
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
If you go:
Anderson school board meeting
6 p.m. Tuesday
Wigwam Complex, 1229 Lincoln St.
