Why Are We Here?

There's a letter in the BCCT today posing open and honest questions that deserves a reply.

What's the big deal?

I'm not originally from these parts, so I should start by admitting that I don't understand the big brouhaha over the possibility of “farming out” Morrisville's high school students to other nearby districts.

I voted against the shiny new school because if I could afford those taxes, I sure wouldn't have bought such a tiny house here. At the same time, though, with little ones who will start school in a few years, I was disheartened to read in the Courier Times, too late, that Morrisville High School students perform among the worst in the area.

I suddenly envied anyone who had the right street address to fall into the Pennsbury School District. How many of my neighbors had to pay for parochial school so their kids could succeed? Sadder still, how many couldn't afford it?

Now, to hear there is a chance that my kids could attend a more successful school and that it may also be cost efficient for us as taxpayers — I'm thrilled!

As far as being “outcasts,” I don't see why. Rural kids were bused from 45 minutes away to attend my high school and they fit in just fine.

Pennsbury is a diverse school. What makes our kids so different from folks who live a few streets over?

Part of the difference is the big vs. small. I see parents walk in to the school and the teachers and staff know exactly who they are and who their child is without prompting. While that will happen to an extent in any school system, it is a much tighter and closer bond between the teacher and student here in Morrisville. I went to a regional high school taking one hour bus rides both ways. Reading or doing homework on those buses was nearly impossible between the other kids and road conditions. I explicitly chose Morrisville because it was a small school district. I wasted more time on those buses than I care to remember, and my mother spent even more time than she cared to remember having to drive me when after school activities conflicted with the bus schedule. No weeping, wailing, or gnashing of teeth is being done here. It's just the price you pay for a large district. I chose small.

Please don't envy the Pennsbury district students. Their football teams only have 11 players, basketball has 5, and the baseball team still fields 9. Will they achieve more championships than Morrisville? Undoubtedly yes. They have a larger pool of prospective students to choose from. It also means that only the best play and the rest watch. That's OK too. It's a fact of life, but a larger number of our kids get to play sports and engage in other activities. That rounds them out pretty well and gives them a great advantage on college applications.

You mention the "outcast" issue. At a regional high school like mine, yes, students were bused long distances. We all "belonged" there, so there was no "outcast" issue, right? Well, there's always a place that is on "the other side of the tracks" and those people will always be outcasts. As much as I hate to say it, you are contributing to the Morrisville outcast characterization in your letter. I'm sure you mean well, but have you gone in to any of the schools to see firsthand what happens, or do you rely upon what you read in the BCCT and what some neighbors may say? While we're discussing "outcasts", have you asked why Pennsbury doesn't want us?

Please define success for me. You mention that neighbors are paying for parochial school so that their children will "succeed." Many adults have differing definitions of success. I work with my children and their learning is my responsibility as much as their teacher's responsibility. I know what they are learning, and I supplement their learning with everyday applications of what they are learning so that they can realize that yes, Virginia, algebra is used in the real world and here's where and how you use it. My kids are happy, healthy, and being educated. They have goals, dreams, and visions. My definition of success is fulfilled. And they attend Morrisville schools.

"The shiny new school." Yes, it has been described that way. It certainly is new, especially when compared to the buildings from the 1920s and 1950s that we currently use and that have been discussed here. There is one thing that is not in dispute and that all parties can agree upon: The current schools are not in an acceptable condition. I'll be honest. I don't care if a new school is built or not. What we have though is unacceptable and needs to be fixed. Of the four plans that were researched and provided, a new school was the best option for price and life of effective use. Multiple decades of declining borough tax revenues and indifference by succeeding boards (plural) of education and borough councils (plural again) have led us here. The citizens of Morrisville are paying the price for these decades of neglect and indifference, and I would ask you to question your long time neighbors and ask what they did back in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s to have prevented us from reaching this point.

I am all for well run schools, financed as inexpensively as possible, providing the highest quality of education possible. Don't ever think otherwise. I cringe every month when the escrow check is written and I will give the Emperor his due if starting in July, my taxes go down as significantly as he has promised. I'm not holding my breath though.

What about school performance? An excellent question, and it was addressed by Superintendent Yonson at a recent board meeting. Morrisville has a high density of rental homes and apartments dwellers. Children that come and go are hard to educate for the short time that they are here. Much needs to be undone before the learning can be "done." She read off a list of some fifteen transfer students with their grade level, and their reading level. The top of the class was a high schooler with a low middle school reading level. Remember...these students transferred in at that level. They are not a product of Morrisville schools, but they are now Morrisville's to educate.

I see a great many Morrisville students. I attend student activities, sports, etc. with my children and their friends. Nothing is ever 100 percent, but these students are being educated. Stop by one of the elementary schools and check in with Kate Taylor or Karen Huggins. Ask for Melanie Gehrens at the high school, or Beth Yonson at the superintendents office. See for yourself.

I do welcome you to Morrisville. It's obvious you're a thoughtful and concerned parent. We need many, many more like you.

Anyone else?