Based on feedback from residents, the Moline School District has scaled back possible changes for two elementary schools. Thursday night the board of education will discuss the latest proposal from Superintendent Lanty McGuire for Willard and Lincoln-Irving schools.
To alleviate overcrowding at Willard, he'd originally proposed making them "sister schools," with kindergarten through 3rd grade at one, and 4th and 5th grades at the other. But along with transportation and some other issues, McGuire says that would have reduced the number of the very popular "dual language" classes, taught in Spanish and English.
"Probably the best proposal is just to leave the 3 sections at each grade level of dual language at Lincoln-Irving and then anybody who can't or does not wish to be in dual language in the Lincoln-Irving neighborhood would go to Willard. And if we have to make it two sections in some grades, then that's what we'll do."
The two schools are only about a half-mile apart. And fewer changes for students, he says, also mean fewer changes for teachers and other staff.
The special Moline school board meeting begins at 6 o'clock tonight at Lincoln-Irving school. Whatever changes are approved would go into effect in the fall.
