Eric Miller , a math teacher at Porter Ridge High , is a “ floater .” He spends a good bit of his time each day pushing a cart , loaded with his teaching materials , from one classroom to another .
“ That ’ s a challenge ,” Miller said . “ I have three different classrooms , three different set ups . I can ’ t build in the efficiencies of having one spot , having things on the board , having a certain spot for them to go , because I ’ m bringing everything with me . I have to hook up my computer , then I have to take it down , then set it up in the next spot . I have to do that in six minutes .”
Miller is one of a number of Union County Public School teachers who “ float ” from one classroom to another throughout their day as there are not enough classrooms at their school .
Passage of the $ 54 million bond referendum would add a total of 49 new classrooms to six Union County Public Schools , as well as increasing student capacity in brick and mortar buildings by 2,136 students , thus eliminating those students ’ need to have classes in mobile units .
The six schools slated to receive these additional classrooms are Western Union Elementary ; Monroe , Porter Ridge , Sun Valley and Piedmont high schools ; and Porter Ridge Middle School .
Western Union Elementary School was built in 1956 , with a school capacity of about 578 students . By adding eight classrooms and expanding the school ’ s cafeteria , the school ’ s capacity would increase to 804 students .
“ The eight new classrooms will
Bond dollars would improve conditions for teachers , students These are a few of the stories behind the needs ...
Top : Lynn Mitchell , a floater teacher , directs chorus students at Sun Valley High School .
Right : Mobile units are shown at Western Union Elementary School .
allow all of our classes to be located inside the school building ,” said Western Union principal Kristi Williford . “ It will also allow us to put all our grade levels together . Right now , we have grade levels split up on different hallways . Putting all the kindergarten classes , for example , on the same hall will make those teachers feel like part of the team instead of feeling isolated .”
Lynn Mitchell , a 27-year-veteran teacher , begins her seventh year as Sun Valley High School ’ s chorus teacher . She is also a floater because the school has no chorus room . If the bond passes , however , that will change .
“ I look forward to a place we can call ours , where we can put our bulletin boards ; a place where we can put our trophies that show our achievements ,” she said . “ We have some success going on in this classroom . We participate in All-State and All-County chorus . We ’ ve been to Carnegie Hall in New York City . We were selected to perform at Disney World ’ s candlelight Christmas celebration . We work hard .”
Her students agree . “ We have to carry a keyboard and music stands with us to a classroom ,” said Sun Valley High junior Xavier Kelley . “ If we ’ re in the auditorium , we have to move out the piano , turn on the lights , and set up chairs . With our own classroom , the piano could stay in one place . The teacher could be in one place . It would be a lot easier to start class , and work more efficiently . And it would be our personal room . It would feel like a second home because choir is part of our lives .”
Porter Ridge middle and high schools are only about a decade old , but excessive growth in parts of the county has resulted in the need for a total of 19 additional classrooms between the two schools .
With the bond , the high school ’ s student capacity will increase to 1,800 . Porter Ridge Middle has a student capacity of 1,200 . If the bond passes , the student capacity for this school will increase to 1,600 .
Of all the schools on the bond project list , Porter Ridge Middle stands to gain the most number of new classrooms , as it ’ s slated to get 15 . Principal Dr . Brian Patience said this would impact about 400 students , bringing them inside the school building and allowing the removal of 21 mobile units .
Monroe High School would gain eight new classrooms , two teacher workrooms and two teacher offices , raising its student capacity from 1,000 to 1,500 . Its principal , Dr . Michael Harvey , said the school currently has 15 teachers who “ float .”
“ Each class period , these teachers are shuffled from one classroom to
another ,” Harvey said . “ For teachers to not have their own classroom creates many burdens on all parties .”
Piedmont High principal Dr . Jonathan Tyson said he is excited about the prospect of getting four additional classrooms , two teacher workrooms and two teacher offices .
“ With the proposed classrooms and office space , all of my teacher would have their own classroom ,” he said . “ This is essential as our enrollment is projected to continue to grow over the next two years .” Porter Ridge High School principal Dr . Bashawn Harris seems to reflect the sentiments shared by most UCPS educators ; all hoping the bond will pass and alleviate some of the concerns that currently exist from aging facilities and overcrowded conditions . “ It ’ s the right thing to do for kids ,” he said .
— This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communications Office .
4 • Nov / Dec 2016 • Parent Teacher News