ANOTHER EXODUS FROM CITY SCHOOLS

According to the Press, the Grand Rapids public school district has lost 1,100 students this fall.  That is a huge drop of five percent from last year and continues the long-standing trend of shrinking enrollment in the GRPS.  The district now has slightly more than twenty thousand students.  Superintendent Bert Bleke and school board members are at a loss to explain this dismal outcome.  Of course, what they do know is that the GRPS will lose $2 million in state funding because of the drop in enrollment.

Board members are now arguing over the best way to divvy up the shrinking tax pie.  Some want to close schools.  Others want to keep neighborhood schools open, even if underutilized, by consolidating programs.  Still others want all GRPS facilities to be subject to the ax.  As always in a budget crisis, everyone wants to spend money on a study to tell them what to do.  (See the story below regarding the Grand Rapids City Commission.)

What neither the superintendent nor the board members seem to be talking about is what will it take to revive the GRPS.  There are plenty of students within the Grand Rapids city limits.  Why are so many of them enrolled in suburban, charter, and parochial schools?  One reason is the bullying and violence endemic even in the elementary schools.  For too many students, a Grand Rapids public school is not a sanctuary for learning but a daily trial of fear and intimidation.  You hear nothing about that from the officialdom, but the parents know about it.  Those with the means or the opportunity get their kids out of the GRPS.

Nothing but a revolution in the Grand Rapids public school district will change that.

Comments

[Brandon]

"For too many students, a Grand Rapids public school is not a sanctuary for learning but a daily trial of fear and intimidation."

As a city resident who has several neighbors with kids in the GRPS system, I've heard enough anecdotal evidence to point to the basic accuracy of that assertion. And as a GRPS high school graduate (Ottawa Hills/'90) who's a strong believer in the concept of public education, it was with no small degree of sadness that I felt compelled to enroll my own child in a private school for that very reason.

But while I have no doubt about the environment of fear and intimidation you mention, I'm wondering.... Is there any source -- official or otherwise -- where data about violence/bullying/intimidation, etc. in the GRPS system can be found?

[The Executive Director]

Brandon,

I have not been able to find statistics on the matter. My statement comes from my experience and enough similar stories from others to reasonably conclude that the problem is widespread.

Maybe it's time to press the GRPS to collect this data.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director