Comments on: First Step In Closure: Rezone Carver/Century Students To Other Schools

By: KB

KB — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:35:55 +0000

I’m astonished to see so many voice OPINIONS. I will accept these only after they visit the school yourself, sit in a classroom, watch the teachers prepare, watch the children learn, only then will you know what goes on at that school. Please, know that the teachers at Carver/Century are highly qualified, just like any other teacher in the county. Know that these teachers put in the time and effort needed to teach these students. Know that even coaches put in extra time at the end of the day to take children home, because parents can’t get there to pick a child up, due to lack of everyday items, like the cars all of you take for granted. Know that these children are taking SO much pride in the fact that they earned a B this year and they came in class this year excited about it! Know that you all are tearing them down because quite frankly, you don’t care. Know that the children are not happy to ride at least an hour and a half a day on a bus. Know that this is time they could be spending at home, like more privileged children. Know that children at Bratt and Earnest Ward have better and richer home lives, leading to better grades and behaviors. Are these schools ready to “deal” with these students? Are they ready to spend the one on one time these “carver students” need? Not just on an education standpoint, but on a personal one. Are they ready to take these children home after practices to their homes close to 20 miles or more away? I really don’t think so. I know students at these other schools. These students have a sense of superiority over “Carver students.” I’m afraid they’re being taught this. This message board confirms that. What I’m hearing is that this is a great way to save money. But that’s the easy way out. The School Board should take some time, do some research, and save it somewhere else. This school is priceless to the underprivileged children who live in Century. If only you could live one day in their shoes. Are you prepared?

By: JEC

JEC — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:47:46 +0000

I cannot believe that everyone in Century did not see this coming after the closing of Century High School, did anyone really think that Century Elementary and Carver would last that long? As someone who attended Byrneville Elementary, Carver, and Century High School, it saddens me to see Century continue to go down to nothing, and the surrounding communities with it. I am glad I no longer live there, but UNTIL everyone in in Century, Byrneville, Bluff Springs, McDavid, Bogia, Walnut Hill, and Molino stand together, nothing will change.

By: Ben Drysdale

Ben Drysdale — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:28:31 +0000

One last comment on this issue. Century has had schools for a hundred years. And for most of that time the citizens of Century stood back and watched and uttered not a peep. Contrary to the poor me – poor me lamenting of people on this blog and at the school board meetings Century has always gotten far more than than the children of Pensacola have received: more teachers, more computers and more administrative support. according to the records I have been able to access. You chose to live in a rural area, so please stop whining about what you don’t have. Show a little dignity, fix your problem as any real community would do. Oh, I forgot, you don’t have a community anymore, Jim Paul and the School Board took it away. Will the last one out please turn out the lights.

By: Wm.

Wm. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:36:32 +0000

There is no room at Bratt or Ernest Ward for anymore kids! We R already dealing with Atmore kids. I don’t understand what is going on! Someone needs to do alot of back ground ck on where all the Atmore kids live. The question is “Do they live in FLA. or ALA.” And R they using someones address in FLA.. Think about it!!!!!

By: jessy

jessy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:26:27 +0000

I wonder when the last time some of you that are doing all the complaining about Century/Carver visited the school to see exactly what is happening there. Advanced technology, well trained teachers that are very devoted and dedicated to teaching their students. What school doesn’t have discipline problems, but the times I have spent at the school you see very little problems with the students. All these students and teachers want is a chance to prove themselves, and what better place to do that then in your home town school with the people that care about you. They have worked very hard to improve there FCAT score and have done a wonderful job and should be very proud of themselves. I believe if some of the school board members, Mr. Bergosh, our own representative Mr. Gindl and most important Mr. Paul, they would see what damage they will be doing not only to our students but also our community. The school is the heart of any community and we should be very proud of ours.

By: RESIDENT 3

RESIDENT 3 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:53:39 +0000

Has anyone considered the problems,this will bring.
Transportation for the students. Already have a problem with this .
All the Teachers and facility being put out of a job. Really ,when will it get
better for the north end of Escambia county. Where is our commissioner at
Anyone heard anything Jim Paul or Mr.White have done ,that is a positive thing lately ?ummmmmmmmmm When will our turn come , some are still living on dirt roads in the area, that get a monthly grading , closing this school is going to cause problems on top of problems ....

By: AMAZED

AMAZED — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:38:28 +0000

SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER NAIL IN JIM PAUL'S COFFIN. BUT I THOUGHT HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY LEFT. MUST HAVE BORROWED ONE FROM OUR FINE COUNTY ADMINSTRATORS. REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ELEMENTARY CHILDREN GETTING ON THE BUS AT SUCH A EARLY TIME. I THINK 6:05 AM IS EARLY FOR KINDERGARDENERS ON SCHOOL BUSES .AND HAVING TO RIDE WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BOOT .
BUT THAT IS A OPINION. HE'S DOING NOTHING FOR NORTHESCAMBIA .
( CONCERNED)

By: concerned citizen

concerned citizen — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:05:36 +0000

Mr. Drysdale:

It seems you have no idea how important a school is to a rural community. You must have never lived in a truly rural area. Schools are important for many reasons and that should not have to be explained to you.

It seems that recently almost daily services are cut to the Century area. Many, many programs from schools, Escarosa Workforce, WIC, the county health department, etc. receive grant monies by using the “underserved” numbers from this area to receive the grants. Now those very programs are reducing services. It is a bit infuriating to the people who reside here, own businesses here, etc. to see.

I do agree that it is not the role of the government is not to provide a sense of community, etc. This will be a long process for the folks of Century. This is a town of generation after generation of welfare recipients, then you also have the likes of people like Mr. Barnes and Mr. Moran who have made quite a bit of money applying for grants based on the “underserved” and “poor” quotient. Neither of these men have fostered a culture of community. Century residents need to learn how to be employed, how to be business owners, etc. not just recipients of handouts.

I digress, local schools are incredibly important for fostering a sense of community.
thank you

By: Ben Drysdale

Ben Drysdale — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:54:38 +0000

Anne Brooks seems to be a wee bit odd. Why in heavens name does she think that the tax payers of Escambia County who pay taxes to suppport schools have a responcibility to support her community. The job of the school board is to provide my children with a quality education, not to build or preserve your community. If you are dependent on the government to create community spirit and a sence of community you should join our friends in Cuba just a70 min les off our coast. If Century is destroyed because their school is closed as she says. The citizens of Century need to throw her out of office and elect someone that will stop whinning and get to work. The said truth is as long as Century has the likes of Benny Barnes and Anne Brooks acting as their advocates the city will remain a town lost in time.

By: unkown

unkown — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:57:49 +0000

Well, if all the kids would keep moving from alabama to florida to go to school. Maybe we would have the funds to keep this school open!