A.T. Jones Academy Facing Closure: What People Are Saying
Find out what parents and readers are saying about the possible closure of the Carrollwood academy at 4903 Ehrlich Road.
Hillsborough County officials say a formal hearing on July 30 will decide the fate of the charter school, which is named after the Rev. Arthur T. Jones, pastor of Bible-Based Fellowship Church.
Readers and parents of students at the academy have weighed in on whether they think the school should remain open or close.
Here are some excerpts of reader comments from last week's story:
- "It's our tax dollars paying for this (and the students are also paying a price). They had their chance and they didn't make it. Close it." - Rachele Shearl
- "I am deeply saddened by the turn of events. My son is thriving beyond measure at this school and the teachers and principal deserve all of the credit and the thanks. It is so disappointing that a group of individuals with nothing invested like we do (children, education, jobs, etc.) has so much authority without any oversight. They could not see that there are things more valuable than money. The greatest hurt is that we all saw the value in what our children were learning. We saw the value in our staff and our principal. And we have exhausted every reasonable option to try to spin this into something positive. I feel defeated and sad for my child." - Lisa S.
- "I am really hurt with what's going on. When I first heard the news about what's going on. The first thing I did was cry, because I know once my son realizes that he is not going back to AT Jones, he will be crushed. He loves this school. I don't understand why we couldn't do some fundraisers, carwashes or something to help raise money to help pay the debt and get new board members. it seems to me that no one tried..if not hard enough." - Tiffie05
What do you think should happen to the charter school? Tell us in the comments section.
Melissa Steele
8:45 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Because charter schools do nit receive as much money per student as regular public school, these charter schools must fundraise, fundraise, and fundraise more! This school may have benefited from an optional enhancement fee per family of $150-$500 if they did not already have one. the school would have also needed a competent board, which it does not sound like that was the case. With an added enhancement fee and a swift replacement of the board, the school could probably survive and eventually thrive. This current situation is unfortunate for the students and responsible staff.
Camille C. Spencer
8:49 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thanks for your feedback, Melissa. Parents: What do you think could have been done that wasn't to keep the schools finances in order?
Melij
12:14 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I know for one thing is the church felt that they could use the electricity in the school without paying for it, Which is wrong because the school was to have no affilitation with the chiurch whatsoever. The board did nothing to help change the outcome of this and now all of us parents who had kids there have to scramble to find placement for our kids. I know for a fact the school has already closed because the signs are all removed from the building and the front of the school.
Tanya Vodnansky Grable
1:26 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I have found a school for my son , I started looking back in January, so I am grateful that I saw the light early on. I went to Thursday's board meeting to hear what was to be said. We were told that all of the answers to all of the questions would be answered via email on Tuesday. I left there knowing that we will NEVER get the answers as the distric meeting was Monday and now they do not have to answer anything. I drove to the school yesterday to find the signs are down. I am wondering when the paretns are going to be notified and what they plan to tell everyone because there are MANY paretns that are not in the know and have NO idea what's going on or that tehy even need to be worried. There have been so many lies, it makes me sick to think about it. They used CHILDREN! They "sold" and "lied" when there are children involved. These people are parents themselves and they tell you that at the board meetings, so they should know how we are feeling and know that they were messing with children's lives.
Cookie
9:43 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
As a grandmother of one of the scholars at AT Jones I feel sadden by this news. My grandson who is only 6 yrs old was well above the average public school student. He also loved AT Jones - not sure when his parents will be telling him he won't be going back. I guess after they find another school - which they are having a diffcult time doing. I am just shocked. I wish they would have at least given the parents more time to locate another school. Locating another charter school weeks before school starts is almost impossible. If we don't locate something soon - my grandson will end up going to a D graded school - that's what really hurts.