School leaders warn vouchers are drawing students away; highlight summer programs and testing

Dr. Washington, principal of Elbert Black (introduced at the meeting as 'Dr. Washington'), told attendees the school is preparing students for end-of-year testing and summer programs and thanked a local foundation for a donation to support student incentives. "We are happy to report that we are 43 days away before the summer," she said, and described limited summer-school seats for course recovery and a summer expedition program for incoming eighth-graders.

Miss Corson, representing Sanford Middle School, said testing begins Monday and described a positive-behavior incentive that has involved roughly 300 students. A Cruz Academy representative also reported arts and athletics developments, including the school's first musical with newly installed theater lighting and a second-year girls flag-football team.

Miss Aar, identified as a school board member, said the district met with student-government associations and heard persistent concerns about enrollment loss. She said vouchers and other outside options are having "a major impact" on public schools and urged community members to invite families to campus tours to better understand programs such as engineering, automotive, EMT and health-academy pathways.

A resident who identified himself as Mr. B described how private, unaccredited providers can take public money while failing to educate students and then return some students to public schools. "You can get an abandoned storefront, put two people in there with high school diplomas... and you got school, they get $8,000 per child," he said, arguing the private entity keeps the money.

Why it matters: District leaders said enrollment and the local reputation of public schools affect program funding and staffing. The board urged neighbors to promote district schools and stressed that many high-school programs offer career and technical certification opportunities.

The meeting included no formal motion or board vote on policy; officials asked community members to help spread the word and offered contact points to schedule campus visits and ask questions.