THUMB AWARD TRANSFER TROUBLES

Thumbs Down to the Piano School Board for proposing that more than 400 10th-grade students at two of the district’s high schools be transferred to Shepton High School. The transfer, which was proposed to reduce overcrowding, would subject many students to hour-long bus trips and would break up critical peer groups formed in the ninth grade. Many parents have suggested that the district begin the enrollment shift to Shepton next year and include only incoming ninth-graders. Meanwhile, supporters of the school board proposal say the shift is needed now (including 10th-graders) in order to boost enrollment enough to support an advanced curriculum. Wouldn’t the breakup of friendships prove more detrimental to the students than the temporary loss of a few courses?