Parents demand transparency in school placement crisis

During a recent government meeting, community concerns regarding school placement and traffic safety were brought to the forefront by local resident Frank Ray de Praya. As a parent of an incoming kindergarten student, de Praya expressed frustration over the placement of his child at Strawberry Point Elementary, located nearly four miles away, instead of the closer Tam Valley Elementary or Park Elementary.

De Praya highlighted the challenges faced by families in the district, particularly the lack of transparency in the school selection process. He noted that at least ten families are similarly affected, feeling trapped in a system that does not adequately address their preferences or the logistical difficulties posed by heavy traffic routes to the assigned school.

In response to these ongoing issues, de Praya urged the school district to consider opening an additional first-grade classroom at Tam Valley Elementary for the upcoming school year in August 2025. He called for the board to add this matter to the agenda for the next meeting, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to resolve the recurring challenges faced by parents and students in the district.