Concerns Rise Over Future of Lakewood Elementary in Huntsville
Huntsville, Ala. — The future of Lakewood Elementary remains uncertain as Huntsville City Schools implements its recently approved capital plan. Under the current plans for the feeder system to Jemison High School, Lakewood is slated to relocate to the site of the Academy of Science and Foreign Language. However, a proposal to transform the existing Lakewood building on Kenwood Drive into an alternative school has raised concerns among community members.
Community Voices Discontent
Chaundra Jones, a candidate for the District 1 School Board, has received numerous complaints from constituents who believe that converting Lakewood into an alternative school could adversely affect property values and safety in their neighborhoods. Jones emphasized the importance of transparency in the decision-making process surrounding the future of the school.
“Our community deserves to be informed about decisions that affect their neighborhoods and their children’s education,” Jones stated. “The closure of Lakewood Elementary and its conversion into an alternative school was a significant decision that should have involved open dialogue with the community.” Furthermore, Jones expressed the necessity for community engagement, stating, “When people have felt like they are left out of that process, that makes a big difference.”
Current School Board Member Comments
Michelle Watkins, a current member of the District 1 Board of Education, confirmed that discussions regarding Lakewood’s future are ongoing. Although she did not explicitly mention the alternative school, she clarified that no decisions have been finalized at this point.
“The superintendent has not made a decision on that yet. He has some ideas, he just hasn’t made a decision,” said Watkins. As Watkins prepares to leave her school board position for a run for the District 1 City Council seat, she has been in discussions about the future of Lakewood.
Questioning the Fairness of School Allocations
Former School Board member Devyn Keith weighed in on the situation, raising questions about the logic behind relocating alternative school students to an older facility while newer students receive a newly built school. “If it’s time to close a campus, that means that campus is not good for any students,” Keith remarked. He suggested that moving students to a new school while sending others to an old one is unjust.
The Upcoming Elections
As the discussions continue, the race for Watkins’ school board seat is also heating up. Chaundra Jones and her opponent Pat King are both competing for the position, which is set to go to a runoff election later this month.
With the fate of Lakewood Elementary still undetermined, parents and community members are advocating for more inclusion and transparency in a process they feel greatly impacts their children’s education and the overall safety of their neighborhoods.
As future decisions unfold, the community watches closely, ensuring their voices are heard in matters that directly affect them.
