Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Merger topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, residents urge board to oppose proposed NB Cook–OJ Sims merger, cite achievement gap
Summary
Several speakers objected to a proposed merger of NB Cook and OJ Sims, saying the schools’ performance gap and discipline differences make a merger harmful to students and could drive higher-performing families away.
At the Escambia County School Board meeting, several speakers opposed a potential merger of NB Cook and OJ Sims, saying the schools serve different student populations and a merger would harm academic outcomes.
Why it matters: Rita Anderson, who identified herself as a grandparent of a second grader at NB Cook, said NB Cook is designated a school of excellence with a grade of A while OJ Sims carries a C, and warned that merging could "create a school where the majority of the students perform at a low proficiency level." Anderson cited the district schoolwide improvement plan and noted disparities in proficiency and discipline rates.
Adopted remarks: "If the proposed merger is approved, your child's classroom could have the majority of students needing remedial action steps and attention that may not address the needs of the students at higher proficiency scores," Anderson told the board. Adoptive mother and homeowner Caroline Hartnett said families who had already used school choice felt they deserved better and asked board members to "vote yes" to preserve options for neighborhood families when a merger comes up for a vote.
Board action and context: comments came during the public forum and were directed at board members considering changes to school assignments. The transcript records public concerns but does not show a formal board vote on any merger at this meeting.
Local details cited: speakers referenced school grade thresholds (an A defined as 62% or greater and a C as 33%–49% in the district plan) and reported that a subgroup at MB Cook had a proficiency rate of about 42%. Speakers also noted higher suspension and disciplinary rates at OJ Sims and described current counseling and mentoring resources at that school.
Next steps: Speakers asked the board to allow OJ Sims to continue improvement efforts while preserving NB Cook's magnet program and military-family options. The transcript does not record a board response or decision during this meeting.
