Attorney Phillip Hoon has filed for an injunction with the Kent County Circuit Court on behalf of Nathan A. Blazejak et al. The objective is to get the Kent County Board of Education (BOE) to cease and desist — or at least pause — the closing of Galena and Rock Hall middle schools and consolidating those students into Chestertown Middle School. The letter contends that proper procedures weren’t followed. The letter cites specific requirements for public notification of BOE’s intent as well as time constraints before taking action that were not followed. In addition to the requirement for parental notification, the appeal contends that the BOE is required to advertise intent in two general circulation newspapers in the geographical area at least two weeks prior to public hearings. Additionally, the appeal states the BOE violated the ’90-day rule’ i.e. that no action may be taken prior to 90 days after the notification of the decision to close the schools. Hoon’s letter says that means the BOE cannot implement the proposed changes prior to July 15th, yet the toilets in both middle schools have been changed to accommodate elementary school students, the Rock Hall Middle school sign has been taken down and callers to the school are now informed they have reached Rock Hall Elementary School. The principal at Galena Middle has been reassigned to Chestertown Middle – significant, Hoon’s letter says, because principals work in their schools over the summer — and a letter from the principal of what is now called Galena Elementary School has gone out to parents.
The superintendent’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Troup says
Shew, thank the Provident. The lawyers are involved!
Concerned citizen says
Good for the lawyers….although theres so much more that needs to be said. I’m sure it will all come out – although it will probably be too late. Not only were the toilets and sinks already changed at the middles schools – more white boards were installed in all classrooms for the new elementary children to arrive in August. What a shame…the current middle schoolers didn’t deserve new white boards while they attended the schools? I’m sure there are more changes that have occured that the public just doesn’t even know about. Many things have changed…the new bus routes are posted online. The school calendar for 10/11 was printed at taxpayer cost and distributed and it shows all new schools, new school names with addresses and phone numbers. Since January the principals of the middle schools have not hardly ever been in their current respective buildings because the Admin has them down at the Board office all the time changing things around and meeting. The teachers are a wreck because they’ve all been switched and some arn’t too happy and have quit…some told they don’t have jobs….such a shame in economic times like this.
With all the monies the Admin is asking for to renovate the RHES into a Board office (between $300K and $500K) its a wonder they might just give themselves a raise next year too! I wonder how many friends the Board and the Admin truly have here in Kent county…..guess that remains to be seen!
George says
Oh “goody” lets get the lawyers involved!
So now instead of heading this “ship” on bearing, we are once again rudderless and have no course until the lawyers are done.
So we all just sit and wait? Who benefits from that “plan?” That’s right, the lawyers! Certainly not the kids!
Reminds me of the old song refrain… “one step forward, two steps back”