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Parents urge inclusive kindergarten pilot and object to boundary split that divides a neighborhood
Summary
During public comment, a parent asked the board to pilot inclusive kindergarten placements; another speaker representing over 100 parents urged changing a boundary that splits the Finwick neighborhood and criticized communication about timing and use of consultants.
Two public commenters addressed district priorities and process during the Edmond Public Schools meeting.
Jerica Cummings, a parent and technology attorney, urged the board to implement an inclusive kindergarten pilot so general-education and special-education students can learn in the same classroom. Cummings said her requests to meet with administrators were ignored and described three reasons she was given for why inclusive kindergarten had not been implemented: administrative turnover, teacher certification limitations and budget constraints. She pointed to recent capital expenditures cited in the meeting — "$6.8 million for astroturf, nearly 200k for brand new vehicles" — and urged the board to hold administration accountable to pursue programs that she said could have large impacts for vulnerable students.
Clint Reichenberger, a GIS professional speaking for more than 100 parents in the district, argued a proposed boundary shift between Dau and Westfield unnecessarily splits the Finwick neighborhood and proposed moving the boundary to Penn Avenue to meet utilization goals while keeping neighborhoods intact. He said communication to affected residents came late and that the boundary decision followed quickly after the public-comment window closed; he encouraged the board to reconsider the boundary during new business.
Board members did not take immediate action during public comment but acknowledged the concerns and the need to coordinate follow-up with administration.
