Packed House Pleads to Keep Quincy School Programs

March 5, 2010

About 200 people filled a conference room at the Quincy School District Board office to hear the Board’s next move regarding $3.8 million in cuts.

But School District officials said discussion of $2 million of those cuts would happen in closed session Wednesday night and no action would be taken until the Board’s regular March meeting on March 24.

The district has already announced plans to cut $1.8 million from next year’s budget by closing Irving Alternative School and the Teen Parent Service school.

But about 20 people, consisting of students, former students and teachers, spoke to the Board before it went into closed session. Those people represented both programs which face closure.

“We’re here because we are fighting for kids’ lives,” said Amy Schmiedeskamp, a coordinator with the Young Lives program. “These kids are going to TPS and they are thriving.  They can function. The say ‘I feel safe here.’ Broken kids are restored.”

“Irving gave me a chance,” said Cynthia Romo. “They don’t judge me there like they do at the High School. I felt like a failure.”

“(TPS) saved my life,” said Angela Kite. “I was 16 and had been kicked out of two schools. If we want to save more kids, keep it open.”

“This program is one of the most secret, awesome gems of this district,” said Cynthia Baker, former director. “You should go see and observe this program. I never saw board members or administrators in there.”