A different approach to school closings

In regard to school closings, I am curious: With Hall Elementary having mold problems, as Neely Elementary does, with Hall having restrooms on the bottom floor, as Neely has (in the main building), and with a termite problem in the gym, which Neely does not have, why not reopen Blair School as an elementary school and keep Webster open as an elementary school.

It seems that a lot of young people will be displaced because of the closings of Webster and Neely. Blair has been well maintained because it is currently Troester Media Center, a school district building, and Webster is also in good condition and on solid ground without mold. Blair is close to the Hall and Neely areas.

My reasoning is that though it would displace Neely and Hall students, which is sad, it would take some of the pressure off the schools to the north, such as Lindbergh and Pershing. Coleman is even being affected.

This is not presented with the idea of being a permanent solution, because I do feel that the west side of town should have a school and the northeast side should have one as well. However, the elementary school child is also the child who is most easily hurt by such moves — and they don’t get to vote for levies.

John Reese

St. Joseph