Janet Carpenter
2225 Big Woods Dr.
Batavia, IL 60510
630-761-3888

April 17, 2000


Stan Oke
Batavia School Board
12 W. Wilson
Batavia, IL 60510

Dear Mr. Oke,

I am writing to voice my concerns and questions regarding the MI
program at the new west side school.  When the school opens I will
have a 9th grader, 7th grader, 3rd grader, and a preschooler.  My
two elementary age children now attend Gustafson.  My oldest child
attended school in Indian Prairie school district before we moved
here.  I have seen what works for my children and what does not
work as well.  I have formed a strong opinion on how I want my
children raised and educated, and what is best for them.  I attended
the informational meeting to learn about the program and I have
talked to many people regarding it also. While I think the principles
of the program are great and I see a lot of the MI in the other
schools, I believe it needs to be balanced with traditional methods
also.  Once the children leave elementary school, they need to be
prepared to handle grades, deadlines, written assignments, lectures,
and structured environments. This is what the children will have
to face when they get to middle school, then high school and college.
Everyone I talk to about this west side school issue agrees with
me.  All we, as the residents who will have this school be our
"home" school, ask of you is to please make the time and opportunity
to listen to us and hear our desires and needs for the school.  We
ask you to compromise with us on the program so it can be the best
of both the MI and traditional worlds, and to make it palatable to
all who will be zoned to attend it.

I believe it would be in everyone's best interests to compromise.
If there is no compromise how will you accommodate the many whom
will choose not to attend the school?  After they are placed in
another school, how long will they be allowed to stay there before
that school overflows again?  Will they be kicked out only to be
placed somewhere else?  What about busing?  It's costly and yet
how can you not bus a public school student?  What about the hundreds
of families who will move into the area in the next one to five
years?  Will they also be allowed to choose the MI program or not?
If they choose not, where can they fit in?  But if everyone else
gets the choice how can they not get the choice?  When the new
houses are built and the school is filled with west side residents,
will the students from all over Batavia be allowed to remain in
the full school or will they be kicked out?   If the program is
made acceptable to all then those questions don't have to be asked.
It is the most sensible solution.  It is the fairest solution.
Given the location of the school on the far west side and that all
of the schools will offer all day kindergarten, I believe the
residents on the west side who share my concerns will be the
majority.

It is my opinion that a meeting between the school board, Mr.
Skomer, and ALL OF THE WEST SIDE RESIDENTS who will be affected by
this issue should be held.  It would be best to meet soon, as there
are many misconceptions floating around and much speculation, which
is adding fuel to the fire that has been built.  At this meeting
I would expect the board to explain the attendance options open to
the west side residents.  In addition, the board and/or Mr. Skomer
should tell us exactly how this school will be run compared to the
other schools in the district.  We would also like to hear the
transition plan for the students transferring in from other schools.
Finally, time should be allotted for residents to provide feedback.
Please realize we feel we need answers and want to work together
to make it a well-rounded school.  I hope you will be willing to
do this for us.  It not only will it benefit the children, but it
will make your job ahead of you easier.

Sincerely,

Janet Carpenter





cc:  Rosalie Jones, Kathleen Roberts, Allan Kepler, John Malkowski
, Fred Webber, Thomas Van Cleave,  Edward Cave


Postsrcipt added 9/5/2000

I would like to add to my letter on the site that now my opinion
has changed somewhat. Instead of asking for the MI program to
change,  I now support the MI program and a traditional program
coexisting in the same school.  This still is a compromise the
board must make to accomodate everyone.  In addition, and I may
just comment on the comment section of the web site, but in Brenda's
article she asked you if Storm and Gustafson could stay at their
schools, would that be ok.  I would say for myself, no, because
they are building this school to alleviate crowding there and my
kids should be able to attend the school they are zoned for without
a program I don't support.  I don't believe putting those kids back
will be an option from the board.  Also, if it is, I object to
having to apply and give reasons why I don't want MI.  I shouldn't
have to say why ever!  They are my personal reasons only.