The start of the school year is still weeks away but one school district and community is already working to reverse failing school ratings.
Hundreds of parents, educators, and city leaders met Tuesday night at the Leesburg Community Center to discuss the “F” ratings at some of Lake County schools – a situation some are calling “critical.”
The meeting was labeled an “education summit,” a two-hour discussion about what can be changed to reverse the ratings and bring them to an A.
"The fact our school grades have come out, there's a lot of questions out there, and we really wanted to open up the door to have a dialogue," Lake County Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Moxley said.
For the first time in Moxley's tenure, Lake County now has three schools ranking among the worst in the state: Eustis Heights Elementary, Beverly Shores Elementary and Leesburg Elementary.
To the failing schools, an additional hour of class will be added daily. But it’s what happens outside of school that is just as important of what is happening in the classroom.
Organizers hoped those at the meeting not only took away information and ideas but also talk to administrations about what they want to see changed.
“It isn’t as much they get, it’s what they give. This is an opportunity for people to really buy into their community and to their schools and that’s what I am excited about,” said Lake County School Board Member Bill Mathias.
However, both parents and educators agree something needs to be fixed, not only inside the schools but outside. What that is could be difficult to find out.
“The school that we’re at is Leesburg Elementary and it was a great school," said Susan Morrison. "I think there’s some parents and a lot of us need to do just a little bit better.”