May 11, 2000 Portsmouth East to Secede Tonight's school board meeting was, essentially, a plea to keep Portsmouth East operating. The method of choice from most Sciotoville citizens was to formally withdraw from the Portsmouth City School system and form a new school district in Sciotoville. In an apparently condescending manner, the Portsmouth City School Board agreed to give Sciotoville one year to organize a new district; if they are unable to, consolidation with Portsmouth High School will be imminent. Possible Close to a Dynasty The main reason for consolidation is to save money. Maintenance of the old schools and dwindling numbers of students is apparently (according to the school board) creating over two million dollars loss yearly. To achieve a state closer to financial stability, superfluous and ancient elementary schools in downtown are to be closed, and many teachers (reports indicate between 35 and 60 people) will be laid off. Early reports to the website indicate that Portsmouth East's band program (and teacher) has been deemed superfluous, and unnecessary. This inevitably would signal the end of the Portsmouth East Marching Band until Sciotoville can maintain their own school system. It is unknown at this time whether this is set in stone at the current time. Several measures from Sciotoville citizens have been suggested. One possibility presented was for the community to provide Eric Hambrick's (band director) salary, but it is unknown whether it is allowable or financially feasible for the Sciotoville community. Watch this website, as we intend to provide contact information to combat this action. "...Listen to my music,
and hear what it can do, "...From the moment
I reached out to hold I felt a sound, |