By Carolyn Cole/Staff Writer
published March 16, 2008

A proposal to move El Reno elementary students into grade-center schools may have led some parents to question the idea, but for children in Weatherford, Elk City and Clinton, the system has become status-quo.

El Reno school officials are studying a plan to move all of the classes of one grade into a single school. Under the “centers” plan, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes would be in one school building, first- and second-grade classes would be in another facility, and third and fourth grade would be grouped together. Fifth-graders would attend classes at one site.

The El Reno School Board heard concerns from three local residents about the plan, including that the change would “cover up” problems. Elk City Superintendent Gaelard Roper said he’s heard all of the parents’ worries and concerns before — 14 years ago.

When Roper took the reins at Elk City, he said moving to grade centers was the first change he made. For those first few years, he wasn’t always popular, but once parents saw an improvement in their children’s educational services, he said they warmed to the idea.

“I understand it’s a change, and I understand it’s not the way we have always done it ... if you keep adding two and two you will continue to get four,” Roper said. “If you are going to change your outcome, you have to change your product.”

In some ways, 13 years ago, he said Elk City faced a similar situation as El Reno’s schools. The district had two newer elementary schools in higher-income neighborhoods, and two older facilities in economically disadvantaged areas. By moving to grade centers, Roper said Elk City remedied a situation where most parents wanted to transfer their children into the newer schools because now all children attend class in each facility.