Dunbar Elementary already making the grade

Two years ago, Dunbar Elementary was being removed from the school closure list. Two years later, Dunbar is yet again on the chopping block. While the Shelby County School Board is not looking to close the school this time around, cycling the school into the izone program is essentially the same thing. Per the SCS website, “izone is a subset of Shelby County Schools designed to turn around under-performing schools.” Two years ago, Dunbar fit the bill.

At the point of closure, we were a level 1 TVASS school. In exchange for remaining open, Dunbar was tasked to show substantial academic growth. At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, we became a level 5 TVASS school. In the span of a year, the students, staff, parents and volunteers worked to move from the lowest to the highest achievement level. Attendance increased along with scores for the NWMAPS assessments. All of this occurred without the assistance of the izone program. All of this CAN and WILL continue without the assistance of the izone program. The school has the right principal, teachers and support staff needed for Dunbar to continue to thrive.

Now the question remains: If the students are progressing, why does the board see fit to stunt that growth? I ask that the board reconsider its position on this matter and allow Dunbar to maintain its community.

Jasmine Pruitt, Memphis