Hall Fletcher Elementary parents mobilize following proposed school changes

From Hall Fletcher Parents:

Asheville, N.C. – In response to the Asheville City Board of Education’s decision to explore major changes at Hall Fletcher Elementary, parents and community members will be knocking on neighborhood doors this Saturday, January 30th at 1pm to ensure Hall Fletcher Elementary parents have an opportunity to provide their input.

“In efforts to maintain a balance of support for education as well as community within our school,” said parent and PTO Co-Chair Thomas Priester, “we are uniting to propose options that address the needs/concerns of the achievement gap and population growth in the Asheville City Schools that doesn’t involve the restructuring of a community and the lives of our educators and families as would be the result of the current option recommended.”

On Monday Asheville City school officials recommended the Board look further into a restructuring plan that would make the Asheville City preschool and Hall Fletcher Elementary School into “sister schools.” The preschool would have grades pre-k through third grade while Hall Fletcher Elementary would have fourth through eighth grades.  A community forum has been scheduled for February 2, 2016 at Hall Fletcher Elementary.  Parents from the school want make sure all families impacted by the proposed changes are informed and have an opportunity to be heard.

Since the news of the possible major changes has come out, parents have organized meetings to dialogue about the changes and how they will impact the Hall Fletcher community as a whole.  “I don’t doubt that all parties involved want what is best for the children,” said Angelica Wind, parent, “having said that, great things have been happening at Hall Fletcher and I would hate to see that go away.” She hopes the forum will provide answers and encourages all community members impacted by the changes to attend.