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NORTH MANCHESTER - Concerned parents staved off a proposal Monday to restructure the Gemini I program for the 2002-03 school year due to low enrollment numbers.
The Manchester school board listened to the concerns for nearly an hour. In response, they agreed to table the issue until the next meeting.
Laketon Elementary principal Denny Craft will gather more facts for a way to keep the program alive.
Craft said 50 percent of the students nominated and approved for the gifted and talented program turn down the chance.
The opportunity passed by because it is not "the right decision for their particular child at that particular time," Craft said. Deeper reasons are not pursued.
Barb Ihnen, an elementary school teacher, said transportation and school changes were more likely the reasons.
In kindergarten and first grade classrooms, the corporation is aiming for an 18-students-per-teacher ratio. Only 13 students were enrolled in the Gemini class.
"The recommendation to restructure the Gemini I program is an attempt to deliver enrichment opportunities to many more than 13 students," Thurston said.
This year, 19 students qualified for the Gemini I, II and III programs. Eight entered, seven didn't and four students are undecided, according to Craft.
Ihnen was disappointed that the committee dealing with like matters was not consulted. She urged a restart on gathering facts about the issue, which included the broad-based committee's input.
"I don't feel comfortable voting tonight," board president Sally Krouse said after hearing the parents' concerns.
The school board members are president Sally Krouse, vice president Todd Speicher, secretary Brad Perrott, Larry Miller, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill, Caryle McLaughlin, acting superintendent Kim Thurston and school corporation attorney Al Schlitt.
