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Community urges New Albany Floyd County Schools to keep Latin amid proposed cuts
Summary
More than a dozen alumni, parents and students urged the New Albany Floyd County Schools board to preserve Latin at both high schools, arguing the course builds vocabulary, critical thinking and career-ready skills; Superintendent Dr. Madison said new information will be reviewed and that "the board tells me you're gonna have Latin next year."
Dozens of community members pressed the New Albany Floyd County Schools board to reverse or delay a proposal to eliminate Latin from the district high-school curriculum, saying the course provides unique academic benefits and strong community support.
Steve Prince, a New Albany alumnus and longtime Latin teacher, told the board: "Please find a way to keep Latin alive in this district." Prince said Latin is rare in Indiana ("approximately 35" schools still offering Latin, he said) and pleaded with the board to preserve the program's tradition and the opportunities it provides to college-bound students.
Other speakers echoed that appeal. Tim Harbison, a former student and teacher, asked the board to "stand up for our college bound students" by preserving course diversity. Ben Maddox called Latin a form of mental "resistance training," saying it strengthens vocabulary, reasoning and standardized-test performance. Senior students and NJROTC cadets also described scholarship offers and competitive results that they and their peers have achieved.
Board members and the superintendent responded after public comment. Board member Mary Jo Goldman—who said she has served nine years on the board—urged administrators to give the new Latin teacher time to complete a master's degree so the instructor can pursue dual-credit approvals and rebuild enrollment. Goldman noted administrators had proposed scheduling changes that might co-seat or split assignments to reach higher enrollment thresholds.
Superintendent Dr. Madison said the district will review points raised by speakers and follow up with the board. She told the assembly that, based on recent figures shared with the board, Latin currently enrolls about 70 students across both high schools and acknowledged the staffing and dual-credit issues that prompted the proposal. "We'll look into it and talk about it a little bit more," she said. "But the board tells me you're gonna have Latin next year. Board will do it."
District materials and speakers at the meeting referenced specific enrollment benchmarks: a cited "magic number" of roughly 150 students to support program staffing models, and a separate 50-student threshold mentioned in connection with a proposed virtual Prosser program. Speakers asked the district to consider co-seating, shared assignments and other scheduling solutions to increase enrollment without cutting the course.
What happens next: Dr. Madison said the administration will continue discussions with principals and bring additional recommendations back to the board in June. The board did not take a binding vote on curriculum elimination at this meeting.
