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CMS considers plans to break up K-8 schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District officials are considering several proposals that would break up kindergarten through eighth grade schools across the district.

CMS is considering three different proposals.

[LINK: Breakdown of proposals presented at Tuesday's board meeting]

In the first option, Thomasboro Academy would remain a K-8 school. Berryhill and Ashley Park would also remain K-8, but Druid Hills and Westerly Hills would become middle schools.

All other schools would become K-5.

The second option would repurpose Spaugh and Wilson as middle schools.

All other schools would become K-5.

The final option would split Bruns Academy into two schools.

All other schools would remain K-8.

The schools were turned into K-8 schools during the recession as a way to save money.

Some parents are concerned because the plans would go into effect in the 2018-19 school year, when the new student assignments start, but others think the plan has merit.

"I would like to see the elimination of all the K-8s," Ricky Woods, the pastor of First Baptist West, said.

Woods works with many students in Charlotte's K-8 schools.

"We're not getting any academic results," he said.

Woods doesn't know why CMS would keep any K-8 schools when 75 percent of the students at Berryhill, the highest performing K-8 school, did not meet state reading standards for college and career levels in the 2015-16 school year.

"At some point we have to say, 'OK, enough’s enough. We tried this, lets scrap it,'" Woods said.

The outgoing superintendent wants the board to vote on April 6, but board members didn't get the proposal until Wednesday which made some question whether the process is happening too fast.

"It would be too quick for them to do it," said Gerald Conner, who has family members who would have to switch schools.

Opponents of the proposals said the options only disperse the K-8 students to schools in the same area, so it wouldn't break up high concentrations of poverty.

If the board approves any of the three options, the renovations to the schools will cost millions of dollars.

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