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DEL.ICIO.USMary Lin process makes school board rethink policy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/01/08
Heather Kotler had camped out for more than two days when she read a letter saying all her work to get her son into the highly coveted pre-k program at Mary Lin Elementary could be for nothing.
She and nearly 30 other families parked campers and RVs across the street from the school in Atlanta's Candler Park. They created a line for Thursday's registration during which officials would fill the 20 openings. Spots are awarded first-come, first-served.
 John Spink/AJC | ||||
| Pre-k parent hopefuls, Julia Murray (left) and Nathan Sibly, shout for a lottery Thursday morning. | ||||
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Then, Wednesday Kotler and others in line received a letter from Superintendent Beverly Hall saying the camp-out queue would not be the official registration line. She wrote parents who camp out violate city ordinances and create an unfair situation for families without the resources to do so.
Hall and other district officials said the Mary Lin crowd was an unusually large crowd this year. Parents agreed, but said the district had no right to change the rules in the middle of the game.
"This is the way it works every year," Kotler said. "Everyone knows that."
The annual camp-out dates back at least four years. Parents privately organize the line, but it has become such a tradition that the PTA raises money for the school by auctioning off items to make the wait more enjoyable. Kotler and her husband paid $200 in a PTA auction to use a camper for the long wait.
Parents said Wednesday evening Atlanta police officers ordered them to move all campers and RVs. Police barricades blocked parents from entering school property until officials were ready Thursday.
In all, 33 people registered. Kotler's son, Brody Weiss, got a seat in the school's pre-k. Not everyone who camped out was as lucky and some were put on a wait list.
"Shame on you!" one parent shouted at school officials. A sign hanging from one car read: "Superintendent Beverly Hall You Should Be Ashamed."
All Georgia 4-year-olds are eligible for pre-k. Registration for the free, lottery-funded classes takes place every spring.
The state lets local program directors decide how to handle registration. Many hold lotteries. Others, such as Atlanta Public Schools, award seats first-come, first-served.
The school district has said parents prefer it that way. Still, the system plans to evaluate the process. School board chairwoman LaChandra Butler Burks said there will be a debriefing within the next couple of weeks.
"It has gotten to be a little, what I consider, unfair," Burks said. "After this week, I think we all realize it is time to review our process."
Burks said it's too soon to say what changes would occur.
Parent Julia Murray said changes are needed. Murray, who works full-time and couldn't afford to camp out, arrived around 6 a.m. Thursday to register her son, who did not get in.
"We all don't have spouses or families or bosses that will help us or let us camp out for days on end for this," Murray said. "They need to come up with a new way to do this. It isn't fair."
The state says all pre-k programs offer the same curriculum, but the Mary Lin hopefuls said the school is different.
It has a strong reputation for high test scores and a diverse student body. Other parents say the campus is in their community and want to go to their neighborhood school. Many also have older children attending the school and said they wanted all their kids at the same campus.
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Comments
By Michele Bowman
May 13, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
I am a Candler Park resident and live a few blocks from Mary Lin with my two-year old twins. I moved into Candler Park when it was still a shaky neighborhood. I'm not a well-off person looking for a free ride when I could afford other options. I NEED free GA pre-K and there are simply not enough spots for kids. We need MORE pre-K programs AND a lottery to make it fair.
By brody
May 5, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
One reason this was unfair is that the parents banded together to keep others out. If you want to select who your kids go to school with, the take them over to paidela. these parents do not reflect the mindset of candler park.
By Toomer parent
May 2, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
There was an ugly post about my neighborhood school, Toomer Elementary. So, while a little off topic, I wanted to post the following, in case anyone read it:
2007 CRCT test scores for 3rd grade (from www.GreatSchools.net website):
Toomer Elementary School 100%(math) 100%(lang. arts) 95% (reading)
Lin Elementary School
96%(math) 96%(lang. arts) 95%(reading)
Clearly, the person who made the earlier post hasn't been paying attention to what is happening at Toomer. Besides the rising, now fabulous, test scores, we have implemented the 1st (in APS) intensive Mandarin Chinese language program in an elementary school.
By J Alfred Prufrock
May 2, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
You think this is unfair - try to get into a Private School pre-K!
Talk about a corrupt good ol boys money talks society there $$$$$
My wife and I have been trying to get our son in to no avail for two years..
What a sad statement on society.
By APS Doesn't Sanction the Campout??? What???
May 2, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
APS doesn't sanction the campout? Lin doesn't sanction the campout? Excuse me??
After writing on the Internet, "In the past, parents have chosen to camp out. THIS YEAR SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT."
They still even have that up on the Internet!
And my gosh, they even AUCTION OFF items FOR the camp out! That's not sanctioning the campout - taking $200 for the rental of a camper and putting it into the PTA's funds????
They were even dumb enough to put onto paper:
Campout for Pre-K in Comfort
Camp-out for Pre-K in comfort in the mmmm`s camper instead of the cramped backseat of your car! The table is great for getting work done during the day and playing cards at night. The mmmms will bring the camper over and help you set it up when you are ready to start your stay. There is even battery-run electricity - enough for one day (so use wisely).
And they leave that up on the Internet for the whole world to see!! So much for Lin/APS "not sanctioning" the campout.
It's even been more sanctioned in the past, w/ Dr. Vail coming around and opening up the building for them and greeting them!
Campout for Pre-K in Comfort
Camp-out for Pre-K in comfort in the Mann`s camper instead of the cramped backseat of your car! The table is great for getting work done during the day and playing cards at night. The Manns will bring the camper over and help you set it up when you are ready to start your stay. There is even battery-run electricity - enough for one day (so use wisely).
By alex
May 2, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
I find it interesting that the names of "parents behaving badly" during the registration process have now been removed from this news story. Could it be that once the smoke cleared they realized they traded their dignity and reputations for a FREE pre-K slot?
By alisa
May 2, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
i agree with the sentiment that APS should switch to a lottery system. the camp out system is deeply unfair and the first come, first served system is beyond frustrating. i recently took part in a lottery for a certain summer camp program, and although my child did not get into the program, it is a much better way to lose...if there is such a thing.
By Diva4x4
May 2, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Always blaming others for your rotten attitude of I must have my way. Where does your responsibility and accountability come into action? Oh... that's right NOWHERE. The "fortunate" folks of the U.S. are nothing but a bunch of self-serving, don't give a damn who we're hurting, screw loving your neighbor unless your getting something out of it other than a good conscience, bunch of jerks.
By Artie
May 2, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Just meddling/over-bearing parents who will have children with coping issues in the future.
By Red Foreman
May 2, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
A lottery is the only fair way. Many parents work and can not "camp" out.
We complicate too many things in this world...
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