For three hours Jan. 8, residents voiced their concerns,
complaints and compliments about the superintendent’s proposal to
make major changes in the Englewood school district.
The proposal includes educating all elementary school students
in four buildings, making the Maddox building home to the Early
Childhood Education program, moving the Englewood Leadership
Academy to the Hay Elementary School building and closing the
Lowell building.
The superintendent and all five members of the school board
joined about 200 residents who attended the public forum at the
Englewood High School auditorium.
Dozens of people raised their hands when the floor was open for
comments. A large contingent from Maddox Elementary School and that
school’s Alternative Development and Academic Program Training for
children with special needs urged the school board to reject the
proposal. Also, a number of speakers, including several students,
urged the school board not to make any changes to the Englewood
Leadership Academy.
When the forum was concluded, School Superindent Sean McDaniel
said he appreciated the fact so many people attended the forum and
presented ideas.
“I heard a lot of ideas and suggestions tonight, including
things we haven’t considered so far,” he said. “We plan to have a
meeting Jan. 9 to review and evaluate all the information from the
forum as we move forward with the process.”
McDaniel emphasized nothing has been decided and noted that all
aspects of the proposal must be approved by the Englewood School
Board.
He added that two additional forums are scheduled — a meeting at
6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Maddox Elementary School, 700 W. Mansfield
Ave., and a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Englewood
Leadership Academy located in the Lowell Building at 3794 S. Logan
St. Additionally, the plan is for the school board to vote on
whether or not to adopt the proposal at a special meeting at 5:30
p.m. Jan. 15.
For information on the proposal or the upcoming meetings, call
McDaniel at 303-806-2010 or visit the Web site at www.englewoodschools.org.
