Citizens are concerned about the possible closure of P.A.S.S Academy in Dothan
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Updated: 6:48 PM Aug 14, 2009
Citizens are concerned about the possible closure of P.A.S.S Academy in Dothan
The Dothan City School Board will hold its bi-weekly meeting up for discussion is the option of closing P.A.S.S Academy next Monday. This comes after proration hit 11 percent leaving Dothan city schools short five-and-a-half million dollars.
Posted: 4:45 PM Aug 14, 2009
Reporter: Rhiana Huckins
Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com
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The Dothan City School Board will hold its bi-weekly meeting up for discussion is the option of closing P.A.S.S Academy next Monday. This comes after proration hit 11 percent leaving Dothan city schools short five-and-a-half million dollars.

The school principal and other employees at PASS Academy are remaining tight lipped on the issue as they wait to see what happens next. Some have told News 4 off camera that they hate to see this happen to the school and the students.

"A lot of people are going to be losing their jobs" says Pastor Kenneth Glasgow of the Ordinary People’s Society.

It is not old news for Dothan city schools, money is tight and closing PASS Academy could save the system close to half a million dollars.

"Those teachers- and the principal- Mr. Brooks at P.A.S.S Academy made great progress" says Glasgow

If PASS Academy does close, some teachers and employees could be moved to open positions in other schools while the students may be put into an "optional" academy after hours.

Some feel this alternative may not work well.

"If we are losing our children- are you going to put money before our children's future? If these children are placed back in regular schools, that we are going to see the same disciplinary problems and special education problems the same problems that P.A.S.S Academy was created for".

Pastor Glasgow and a team of others are passing around a petition to help save the school.

The group plans on attending the school board meeting on Monday and others are expected to help with the cause.

"I think it’s a shame because these children need a second chance and PASS Academy is doing a brilliant job" says Diana Floyd of Dothan.

"It's done a great thing in our community and these children need something like Pass academy - it’s their last chance and we don't need to throw them away. We need to find a place for them and hopefully we can work something out" says Dothan Mayor Elect Mike Schmitz.

Superintendent Dr. Sam Nichols was busy on Friday so he was unavailable for comment but News 4 are expecting to have more information from school officials on Monday at the board meeting.


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