I find the Eden Prairie boundary controversy pretty interesting to watch. There are a lot of lessons there about how NOT to make a community decision.
As to the merits of the issue, I really don't know what the right answer is. But, it seems to me that a fundamental question (and one which I haven't heard anyone address) is whether Forest Hills is failing its students. I think the answer is "no," but assuming that to be true it is very unclear to me why the school district intends to make such drastic changes to the elementary boundaries.
If students at Forest Hills, despite changes in teachers, lower class sizes, and extra after-school homework opportunities, were failing to make AYP then I would at least understand why the school district would look at other options.
But, as I understand it Forest Hills is NOT failing its students and has actually improved on standardized tests over the past few years. If that is true, then why is the school administration continuing down this path? What is it exactly that needs to be fixed?
My wife Mona actually deserves credit for most of these observations. She's been following the school issue more closely than I have.
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