Clark County parents filled the school system’s central office tonight with concerns about the merging of Clark Middle School and Conkwright Middle School.
They are worried about finances, textbooks, and bullying. But a lot of the discussion tonight was about the increased class size.
“We’ve got to do what's right for our kids,” Shawna Wells, a Conkwright Middle School Parent, said. “We've got to stand up and speak on their behalf and help them have a better future.”
Clark said she is not against the merger all together, but wants to be sure the academic excellence program will continue at the new school.
“There's just so many unanswered questions,” Clark said. “And we just need answers. Parents need answers. They need to know that their kids are safe.”
The Clark County School Board tried to answer all of the parent’s questions tonight.
Judy Hicks, the School Board Chair, says right now Clark Middle School has about 750 students and Conkwright has 515.
Hicks says when the two schools combine, there will be about 1,200 students. But the school board plans to make each grade into its own school within the middle school.
“I hope that they can begin to think about 400 or so in my child's grade,” Hicks said. “And actually go from a larger school to a smaller school.”
Hicks added that they will talk over what they heard at the meeting and said she understands their concern.
“I do understand. And I hope that we as a board can make the right decision... The best decision. That provides the best educational opportunities for all of our students,” she said.
