Richards: Vote Shelby for RCPS merger

RC should join Shelby

Let me express my thanks to the Rising City School Board members for their work. Rising City is still my hometown and the Rising City Public Schools is still very near and dear to my heart. I respect the board's decision that it is time for a merger.

I have read both merger proposals. I find the David City proposal troubling. It seems much more like a takeover than a merger. There is nothing in the plan that indicates that the David City School District sees this as anything other than its chance to expand. I know there is mention in the David City plan of studying the possibility of opening a magnet/academy school at Rising City. I have some experience working in magnet schools as an employee of the Omaha Public Schools. Magnet schools are very expensive to open and take an enormous amount of work to keep going. I don't see a magnet school at Rising City ever happening.

The Shelby plan on the other hand seems to be much more a merger of two districts for the benefit of both. I think the idea of using the Rising City building as a middle school would be a great use of the facility. There would still be games to attend in the gym and activities going on that would involve the community. Having Shelby students attend school in Rising City for the middle years will also help Shelby families feel more connected with the town of Rising City. Under the David City plan an elementary only building would remain open (with no guarantees of how long) that would only house Rising City students. David City students and their families will probably never set foot in the Rising City building and they will have no vested interest in seeing the Rising City facility remain open. The Shelby plan welcomes Rising City to be part of a new educational community.

I urge you to vote in favor of the Shelby plan.

Sincerely,

Rick Richards