Jefferson woes distorted

Like many Jefferson parents, I’m troubled by the distorted assertions about our school’s students, programs, and the plans for rebuilding the campus structures that were last remodeled in 1948. Becky Heacox’s May 12 letter (“Protect neighborhood calm”) typifies that distortion on four key points.

“Historic Jefferson” is not in danger. Every rebuilding plan preserves the 1908 structure.

Rebuilding Jefferson will not create a “mega-school” that destroys the environment (though Heacox’s plan for parents to commute their Montessori kids to far-away Pratt Elementary would). The footprints for all the plans are similar. The number of trees in the neighborhood actually increases in several plans.

There is no conspiracy of “elitist” Montessori parents to abuse local residents by driving an “outsider” agenda. Proportionally more Montessori kids are driven to school than children whose local school is Jefferson. The greater reality is that all Spokane schools offer families such choices, and that’s a strength. In addition to the 150 Montessori kids, 63 kids from across the district choose to attend Jefferson, though it’s not their local school.

Finally, there is no “us versus them” conflict in the Jefferson community. Comstock residents should inform themselves and let the healing with their neighborhood school begin.

Ann Le Bar

Spokane