FAST FACTS:
(Memphis TN 2/16/10) "I just really want to make sure that the teachers here that they go over to the other school because I don't know them, but I know the teachers here at Caldwell really care about the children."
Teachers are just one concerns parent Vivian Perry has. Her son Terry Payne is a student at Caldwell Elementary.
And starting next fall Caldwell is set to merge with Guthrie elementary.
"We have under enrollment, under utilized buildings and a dwindling community population," said MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash.
Caldwell is one of those under utilized buildings. There are currently only 225 Caldwell students in a building meant for 600. The building will close and students will have to go to another school, most likely Guthrie. Caldwell parents could also opt for optional schools.
"Caldwell is the older school needing a lot of repair to bring it up to standard codes, so rather than reinvest in older school building we wanted to consolidate," added Cash.
River City High school is also housed in the Caldwell building. The high school will be dissolved and its students will be sent to other high schools throughout Memphis.
A preschool housed in that building will now be merged with Caldwell. Officials at MCS are beginning preparations for the changes next school year.
"Part of the solution is to add additional routes, or extend the routes," said Cash.
Cash says the consolidated schools will mean more opportunities for students as well as a more efficient school system. Parents like Perry admit the change will be different, but she will make the best of it.
All of the teachers and staff from Caldwell will be invited to work at Guthrie next school year.
- Caldwell Elementary is merging with another Memphis City School
- This means big changes for students, parents and teachers
- The school is located off of Guthrie in north Memphis
(Memphis TN 2/16/10) "I just really want to make sure that the teachers here that they go over to the other school because I don't know them, but I know the teachers here at Caldwell really care about the children."
Teachers are just one concerns parent Vivian Perry has. Her son Terry Payne is a student at Caldwell Elementary.
And starting next fall Caldwell is set to merge with Guthrie elementary.
"We have under enrollment, under utilized buildings and a dwindling community population," said MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash.
Caldwell is one of those under utilized buildings. There are currently only 225 Caldwell students in a building meant for 600. The building will close and students will have to go to another school, most likely Guthrie. Caldwell parents could also opt for optional schools.
"Caldwell is the older school needing a lot of repair to bring it up to standard codes, so rather than reinvest in older school building we wanted to consolidate," added Cash.
River City High school is also housed in the Caldwell building. The high school will be dissolved and its students will be sent to other high schools throughout Memphis.
A preschool housed in that building will now be merged with Caldwell. Officials at MCS are beginning preparations for the changes next school year.
"Part of the solution is to add additional routes, or extend the routes," said Cash.
Cash says the consolidated schools will mean more opportunities for students as well as a more efficient school system. Parents like Perry admit the change will be different, but she will make the best of it.
All of the teachers and staff from Caldwell will be invited to work at Guthrie next school year.
