DEAR EDITOR:
I felt the editorial on El Portal last week was not balanced nor
fair to El Portal and the children that can benefit from El Portal.
This is not a complaint but to provide another viewpoint which you
might consider in the future.
DEAR EDITOR:
I felt the editorial on El Portal last week was not balanced nor fair to El Portal and the children that can benefit from El Portal. This is not a complaint but to provide another viewpoint which you might consider in the future.
In my opinion, El Portal had serious problems last year with turnover, academics, focus, discipline, etc. It was a tough struggle deciding if they should be allowed to continue. A key decision for me was the huge need for students that are falling through the crack (not only in Gilroy, but also in most of California) to have a place to gain self-esteem and focused instruction. I believe that Gilroy needs more than ever what a charter school can provide. If a charter school can keep 80 students per year from falling through the cracks – with all the social and individual negatives – then it was worth it to try one more year.
I do not know if El Portal will make it. At the least they must handle significant financial challenges and recruit a solid class for next year. In addition, the professionals at GUSD need to keep evaluating the academic progress, etc. of this year’s operation. Time will tell.
I can say that I am impressed with the energy put in by staff and the continuity that has been established this year. Everything I have seen this year – and it has been a limited view – indicates significant progress in the classroom. I also realize that there is much more to be done. Again I could be deceived, but before I make a public statement to the opposite I sure would want to know more than I do at this time.
Yes, at times we can look at a situation and say how can they celebrate with 10th graders that have test scores that show the average still at elementary or middle school level. A sad situation for sure, but the same situation we face at GUSD and in much of the state. All any of us can do with the children that are way behind is to try to make as many gains as possible and to keep them interested in learning so they do not join the large numbers dropping out. At the same time we must find ways to start their younger brothers/sisters out with a better chance of getting ahead.
Editorials by their nature are challenging to a part of the community and in general The Dispatch does this. This editorial hurt the pride of some people who likely deserved better but of a greater concern to me is that you could have helped create a situation which could doom El Portal.
El Portal needs a full class next year. If families with children who are in need of special attention read the editorial and without the full picture were swayed to not look further at El Portal then they might be missing an opportunity. If enough miss the opportunity then it could be lost for all.
Bob Kraemer, Gilroy school trustee
Submitted Wednesday, March 5 to ed****@****ic.com
