Answers From the Board - January
January 13, 2009
name: Amy Gutschenritter
affiliation: Farragut District Member
question: Has there been any talk about the possibily of sharing with Shenandoah? We currently share wrestling, golf and cross country with Shenandoah--probably more that I am not aware of. Their school is closer and can accomodate a larger number of students without having to construct or add on to the current building. It would seem to me that going in that direction would be a better option for our students.
Thank you.
Dear Mrs. Gutschenritter,
Thanks for a very good question! Each spring our sharing committee meets with the same committee from Shenandoah. Our goal is to look at sharing programs and staff for the next year and to discuss long term sharing.
Last spring the Farragut Sharing Committee asked for a Facility study to be done with Shenandoah and then one done with Hamburg and Sidney. This study would help decide how our facilities would be used during whole-grade-sharing. The later districts agreed to have a meeting on this subject (hence where we are today in the discussions). Shenandoah was asked but they felt that it was a waste of their money if we were doing the same with Hamburg and Sidney. They declined to participate in the study.
During the spring of 2005 an independent feasibility study was reviewed between Essex, Farragut and Shenandoah. The results of the survey were not very surprising; the districts should continue sharing and think of long-term solutions. It was also found due to declining enrollment in all three schools; all three high schools could fit in Shenandoah’s building.
It is no surprise that many people on the north east side of the Farragut School District will look to Shenandoah if whole-grade-sharing is approached with Hamburg and Sidney. Likewise, patrons on the south west side will look towards our neighbors to the west if whole-grade-sharing is pursued with Shenandoah. I doubt there is a solution that will keep 100% of the students in one sharing arrangement.
In summary, Farragut Board of Education believes that there must be academic benefits for the students to pursue whole-grade-sharing with any districts. Utilization of its facilities such as keeping an elementary building and possibly housing either a middle or high school is important to the future of any whole-grade-sharing contract.
