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Eastgate second-graders may move to Radley

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Eastgate second-graders may move to Radley
Jon Ebelt IR Staff Photographer - Eastgate Elementary School second-grade teacher Terry Love works with student Sayla LaMere Tuesday on a crossword puzzle. Due to overcrowding, it's possible the second-graders could be moved to Radley School next year.

Influx of students has classrooms stretched to the max

During a well-attended East Helena school board meeting Monday night, a group of parents voiced concern about the potential move of Eastgate Elementary second-graders to Radley Elementary.

The move of the students is one proposal trustees are considering because Eastgate Elementary is completely full and the influx of new students into the district continues.

Superintendent Ron Whitmoyer said that all the classes aren’t completely at the state maximum level of 20, but many are. He added that overall enrollment is up 16 students from last year and there are a record number of new subdivisions currently being planned in the area.

East Helena parent Becky Fleming-Siebenaler addressed the board on behalf of the group of parents.

She pleaded with the board to “really look at what is the best interest of the children.” She also requested that parents be involved in discussions prior to any final decision is made.

The district’s buildings use to be set up as neighborhood schools until a 2002 mill levy failed.

Whitmoyer said that to create the highest level of efficiency, the district changed to grade-level schools. Since then, Eastgate Elementary houses the kindergarten through second grade; third, fourth and fifth grades are at Radley Elementary; and sixth through eighth grades are at East Valley Middle School.

Trustee Don Hoffman said that taxpayers expect the district to utilize all the facilities to their fullest potential, and Radley Elementary has room for seven more classrooms and EVMS has room for four. He said he has the desire to build a new school, but said at this point that just isn’t a feasible option.

A new building would require tax payers to pass a bond levy, and many board members indicated they just didn’t think that was likely.

Fleming-Siebenaler said, “As a taxpayer, if building a school is the in the best interest, I would support it.”

She said that it is possible moving the second graders may be the best option, but wanted to be sure the board was thoughtful about development of the children and parents’ desire to be informed of all the options.

The board agreed to hold two public hearings in the coming two weeks so a final decision can be made at next month’s board meeting.

The first hearing is Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the EVMS library. The second is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m., also at the EVMS library.

At the first hearing Whitmoyer will give a presentation on other options and explain why he thinks they likely aren’t the best decision.

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