Bloomingdale parents upset with district changes

Posted: Updated:

By Brooke Kelley - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Big changes coming to schools in the Savannah-Chatham school district aren't sitting well with some parents.

In December, the school board approved the Passport to Excellence Reorganization plan, which could change where many students go to school.

See SCCPSS board approves reorganization plan.

Many parents of Bloomingdale Elementary students are concerned about losing the school's fine arts programs under the new plan.

Tuesday, parents put up signs on their cars protesting the district's changes.

Bloomingdale PTA president Laura Arneson and Teresa Macbride, are just two of many parents decorating their cars.

They want the school board to reverse its decision to change Bloomingdale Elementary School from designated fine arts school to a neighborhood school.

"All of the sudden it passed and they say your school is going to change, yeah we've got some upset and emotional parents and I am as well,"said Macbride.

"We have proven both academically and in the area of fine arts we can be successful we have great participation we are everything they want a Chatham county school to be and yet they are trying to rip it apart. It makes no sense,"said Arneson.

Programs that include drama, strings and dance would move to Garrison Elementary school. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Lockamy says Garrison has more room for students to enroll in the fine arts program.

Lockamy also says moving the program to a more centrally located school in Savannah will help the district cut down on transportation costs.

But those reasons aren't good enough for many Bloomingdale parents.

"There's numerous parents I've talked to who want their children in the fine arts program and they moved to this area because of the reputation we have built,"said Arneson.

"I just feel like my family is being ripped apart and I have no control over it,"said Macbride.

A meeting is planned Tuesday at 6pm with Lockamy to discuss parents concerns. Lockamy tells WTOC he hopes to answer as many questions as he can.

He also says just because he's relocating a speciality program, doesn't mean students won't be able to continue with fine arts.