Channel3000.comEducation


Related To Story

Parents Ask Board To Fix Overcrowding At Leopold Elementary

Parents, Staff Present Survey Findings To School Board

UPDATED: 2:36 pm CDT May 13, 2008

Dozens of parents and staff members attended Monday night's Madison Metropolitan School District's Board of Education meeting to shed new light on an old problem: overcrowding at a local elementary school.

VIDEO: Watch The Report

The issue of overcrowding at Aldo Leopold Elementary School is prompting some parents and teachers to tell the board solutions they'd like to see to relieve the problem.

Some said that the obvious solution would be to build a new Leopold Elementary or perhaps to adjust the school's boundaries. The group presenting the board with the findings of a parent-teacher survey about the challenges at the school, WISC-TV reported.

The school is at 99 percent attendance with 718 students and can only handle eight more students, officials said.

Some of those in favor of a building a new school said that they're against expanding the current structure, WISC-TV reported.

Leopold kindergarten teacher Kathryn Burns said she thinks small changes won't do.

"What's happened is that they've found things that have gotten them through year-by-year and our community is very frustrated with that," she said.

Jackie Cooper, the mother of Leopold students, said that she wants a new building.

"You see it in the hallways, just in the number of students going between classes," she said. "It's just a lot of kids in the school, and I feel that the education of my children is going to start being compromised because just not enough space."

During Monday night's meeting, the school board reviewed the findings from the 314 surveys that were completed. Two years ago, the board voted to add a cafeteria and more class space to the school.

However, some parents said that they don't think the school can expand anymore and they plan another organizational meeting on Tuesday night.

Officials said that the board is placing a lot of its effort on Leopold's overcrowding issues, even calling it a No. 1 priority, WISC-TV reported.

School Board President Arlene Silviera said that she thinks the Leopold situation is complex. She said that for now, the board will search for a band-aid for next year while working on a long-term solution, which could indeed include a new school or new boundaries.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.




Links We Like
For a low-maintenance, hardy garden, perennials are the key. Use these helpful tips to spruce up your garden today. More Details

Women have special health needs. Use our women’s health guide learn about the most common women’s health concerns. More Details

Making new contacts is a vital part of progressing in the workplace. Learn how to do it just like the pros in Hollywood. More Details

If your home has been damaged in a storm, be sure you have a clear plan when it comes time to start picking up the pieces. More Details

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.

Online And Campus Programs


Degree Level:


I want to study:

Zip:


Education Loan Rates