Crescent wants to be heard before school board votes to close

CRESSENT, Iowa (Nebraska) – The Crescent children, their families and friends came to a meeting at the community center to find out why.

It’s hard for the mayor, a former Pottawatami County superintendent, and his community not to take personal credit for plans to close Crescent Elementary next fall—again.

“Yes, it’s very personal,” Mayor Charles Hildreth said. “This is the third time this small community has had to deal with this since 2006 and every time we have to deal with this people get angry and confused about what we are doing to our children.”

After notice of the redistricting and planned closure reached parents last week, the shock quickly turned into action and the community convened on Wednesday night, where they learned that the Council Bluffs School District had at least agreed to hear opinions. on this issue next week before voting. at the Board of Education meeting on March 28 in Council Bluffs. Many worry that it’s too late.

“This is our only opportunity to do this – public hearings,” said Sean Shi. “It will be decided by the 28th, and maybe already decided.”

There are currently only 67 students at Crescent Elementary, but the mayor says the number will grow with new development. He also points out that high school uncertainty doesn’t make his city as lucrative for young families.

The Urban family recently moved from Omaha. The main reason? Their two children, now four and six, will attend Crescent Elementary School.

“The population here is a little more spread out, the houses are not close together,” said Jessica Urban. “Not all cul-de-sacs are where kids play, so Crescent Elementary has given our kids the opportunity to have a sense of community and if it closes it will be taken away.”

“58 percent of our taxes go to the Council Bluffs School District, 58 percent,” Hildreth told the community.

“You have to stop doing this with Crescent,” he said. “You cannot tell us what you are opening and in two years you will close it. It’s not fair to the kids, it’s not fair to the parents, it’s not fair to our community.”

The school district denied our request for an application, but confirmed that a public meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm in Council Bluffs.

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