The District 205 Board of Education approved the boundary changes that’ll be taking effect when Gale and Nielson close, leaving Silas Willard, Steele, and King Elementary schools open.
While several parents had spoken in the past about their wishes for the board to reconsider the boundary moves, last night support was given from several members of the crowd.
Prior to the meeting’s start, President of the Galesburg branch of the NAACP, Brittany Grimes, in support of the boundary changes.
“The invisible line at times has created very visible disparities in access to services, healthy foods, homes and more. Even as a child I was aware of the statements made in the last school board meeting of the perception of ‘rich’ or ‘poor’ schools. The proposed school lines are the first overarching effort to tear down these barriers. The NAACP stands behind the school board in this decision to make a fair and equitable elementary school system for Galesburg.
Board member Maury Lyon said that boundary changes aren’t perfect but that they meet the needs of the community and closely follows the board’s goals they set out for in the fall, adding that board policy dictates they look at the boundaries every year.
Board member Nicholas Walters said that the board will “more than likely” be addressing issues with the boundaries in the future.
Board member Courtney Rodriguez showed her appreciation to those that spoke in favor of the changes.
“I appreciate people backing us up on this, it’s not easy to decide this. Now that all of the teacher assignments have been out for next year, a lot of your student’s teachers will be also moving with your students. So they will not be in a place they don’t know anybody. A lot of teachers are transferring as well.”
