A large group of Worthington parents continued to demand answers of Worthington school board members about changes in the middle school structure at a board meeting last week, where they filled most of the seats.

"I believe we represent a much larger group of concerned parents who wonder what these changes will bring to their middle schoolers," said Kristi Dorn-Wachtel.

The school board met Monday, April 26, at the Worthington Education Center.

A district plan to bring Perry Middle School students into McCord Middle School this fall, leaving only the Phoenix Alternative Middle School program in the Perry building, set many parents worrying about the details of the change -- especially after hearing there would be changes in the health and physical education graded course of study.

"It has been three months since you first announced the middle school restructuring and there are still many unanswered questions," Dorn-Wachtel said. "Will my child become just a number in a crowded middle school? Could such important classes as health and physical education have cuts? Why is Phoenix Middle School the only middle school that will not be disrupted or changed?"

Kate Whitesell said McCord students gathered signatures on a petition, demanding their lockers stay full-sized, as they are at the other middle schools. District plans call for smaller, stacked lockers to accommodate more students.

"Our kids want to be involved in this process and I think they have a perspective that none of us can see," Whitesell said.

Loud and long applause from the parents in the audience followed each speaker, causing board President Julie Keegan to interrupt it in order to announce the next speaker.

Alex Emrick said she is an eighth-grade student at Worthingway.

"When I got the news about the health class and physical education restructuring for the middle schools, I couldn't believe it," she said. "What we learn in health class is so important. Not having the class as it is could be dangerous for younger students.

"I made a Facebook page on this and we have 322 fans and in three days, we had 150 signatures of students on a petition, and now have an even 200 signatures of students who do not want these changes," Emrick said.

Health teacher Leslee Levette said making reductions in the health graded course of study "was very painful."

"Continuing to give all middle school students a full year of health education is best for our students," she said. "Health education prepares our students for life. Middle school is when they learn about their bodies and what they learn could affect their future lives."

Levette suggested board members "get creative" with art classes instead of cutting health and combining it with physical education and wellness.

Lore Dorn-Cook wanted to know, "How much will it cost to keep the Perry building open next year with just the Phoenix students inside?"

"Choice is great if you can afford it," she said. "What will we have to give up for the other 1,200 middle school students in order to let Phoenix grow?"

Denise Juhola said she has children at McCord as well as Worthington Hills Elementary School.

"Currently, Worthington Hills Elementary is bursting at the seams," she said. "What plans do you have when these large classes get to McCord? There is a difference between legal and comfortable capacity."

John Hetterscheatt challenged the board to "do what is best for our children."

"The last things you should be cutting are educational programs like health," he said. "I challenge you to think deeply and make the right decision. Please make us proud."

"It has been three months since you first announced the middle school restructuring and there are still many unanswered

questions."

--Kristi Dorn-Wachtel