(August 25, 2008)—About 75 students showed up for the first day of class Monday at Waco’s low-performing G. L. Wiley Middle School.
That’s about half of the 156 who reported for the first day of school last year, and about a third of the school’s target enrollment of 210.
On Aug. 7, just weeks before the start of the school year, Waco School Board members voted 4-3 to close the school and to transfer students to other middle schools, but last week, Waco District Judge Jim Meyers issued an order that at least temporarily bars the district from shutting Wiley’s doors, pending a hearing Tuesday on a lawsuit that alleges the School Board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Read Lawsuit Affidavit
Students who registered or have been placed at other schools didn’t have to return to Wiley and it appears many chose to stay at their new schools.
The school district said it would staff the school based on enrollment.
Meanwhile, school Board members meet Monday night to talk about the lawsuit and to consider again the proposal to close the school.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott had already given the school a one-year waiver to improve, but board members who supported closure cited the school’s declining enrollment and poor test performance.
Questions And Answers
(Source: WISD)
My child was planning to attend Wiley prior to board action on August 7, 2008. Can he/she return to the school?
Yes. G.L. Wiley Middle School will be open for school on August 25, 2008.
Will all of the teachers previously assigned to Wiley prior to board action on August 7, 2008 return to the school?
Not necessarily. The number of teachers returning to Wiley will be determined by the number of students who choose to return to the campus.
With the court’s ruling coming just four days prior to the start of school, what will the first day be like at G.L. Wiley?
Upon arriving at school, students should report to the auditorium where staff will be available to develop their class schedules. Administrators, teachers and support staff will work hard to make sure the needs of all students are addressed.
Will the school be open for the entire 2008-2009 school year?
The answer to this question is not yet known pending the outcome of the temporary injunction hearing and any action that might be taken by the Waco ISD Board of Trustees.
If Wiley does not remain open for the entire 2008-2009 school year, where will my child attend school?
Should Wiley not remain open for the entire school year, your child will return to the campus to which he/she was placed prior to the temporary restraining order.
My child was already reassigned to and looking forward to attending another Waco ISD middle school. May he/she stay there?
Yes.
Will all of the teachers previously assigned to Wiley prior to board action on August 7, 2008 return to that school?
Not necessarily. The number of teachers returning to Wiley will be determined by the number of students who choose to return to the campus.
Who will be the principal at Wiley?
Kermit Ward will return as principal at Wiley.
Will there be enough teachers, desks, computers, books, equipment and support staff at Wiley to start school?
Yes
What extra-curricular activities will be offered at Wiley?
Extra-curricular activities will be offered based on student interest.
If my child chooses to attend Wiley, will he/she be provided transportation?
Transportation will be provided for students who live two or more miles from their school or would be subject to hazardous traffic conditions if they walked to school.
(Board Policy CNA Local)
If my child chooses to attend the middle school at which he/she was placed after August 7, 2008, will he/she be provided transportation?
Transportation will be provided for students who live two or more miles from their school or would be subject to hazardous traffic conditions if they walked to school.
(Board Policy CNA Local)
If I requested and my child was granted a transfer to a middle school other than his/her assigned middle school campus, will he/she be provided transportation?
Student transportation is not provided if a parent-requested transfer is granted.
(Board Policy FDA Local)
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