Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Gifted Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents urge clearer communication after proposed gifted-program changes at Bridal David and Saint Elmo
Summary
Two parents told the Muscogee County School District board they were alarmed by short notice and a lack of answers after the district proposed changes affecting Bridal David/BDMA students who attend the Saint Elmo gifted program; parents asked the district to preserve the Saint Elmo experience and improve outreach and question-and-answer follow-up.
Two parents who spoke during public comment at the Muscogee County School District board work session on May 11 urged the district to improve communication after a proposed change to how students from Bridal David/BDMA access the Saint Elmo gifted program.
"Some expressed being uncomfortable to speak out because they feared for repercussions for their child," Nashua Hallowell told the board, saying parents first heard about the proposed changes last year and that a short-notice Wednesday meeting, announced the previous Friday, prevented many families from attending. Hallowell said an email sent the morning of the work session later confirmed students would still attend Saint Elmo on Fridays, and she noted a petition that collected "almost 80 signatures" over the weekend.
Hallowell said parents remain concerned about unanswered questions: whether kindergarten gifted teachers would be counted for students who will not be taught by them, whether "advanced content" would count as gifted time, and whether families could opt out of "high achiever" status while remaining in the gifted program. "We're allowing politics to capitalize on our children," she said, arguing that reducing gifted-program time to 90 minutes would take away from the Saint Elmo experience and increase pressure on young students.
Jasper Worth, who identified himself as a parent of three Muscogee County students, said he appreciated the district's decision not to move forward immediately with the proposed model change but warned the process itself damaged trust. "For a decision of this magnitude, there was very little notice to families," Worth said, saying there was no communication through ClassDojo or the school's social media and that parents were asked to submit questions via a QR code but did not receive the promised answers afterward.
Worth urged the district to consider how BDMA students could better integrate with the district's larger gifted community and to ensure parents are included before major changes. "Parents simply want transparency, communication, and partnership," he said.
Superintendent Dr. Lewis told the board she expected principals Whitaker and Hull to collaborate with parents and staff to address concerns and that the district would convey parents' feedback back to school administrators.
What happens next: Board members thanked the speakers, and staff indicated they would follow up with school leaders; no formal board action on the gifted-program model was recorded in the work session minutes attached to the meeting transcript.
