Save South Park

Members of the school board, ladies and gentlemen,

My name is Miriam Cade Nichol, and I am a native of Beaumont, a lifetime resident, and a graduate of South Park High School, class of 1969.

I’m proud to be here this evening representing a growing group of citizens which includes residents of the South Park community, former students from both South Park Middle School and South Park High School, and residents from other communities throughout the city.   As residents and taxpayers, our group shares common concerns about several issues that will directly affect our communities.  A primary issue involves the future of the South Park Middle School building.  We, as concerned citizens, would like to see that the building be preserved, both as a historical icon and as a functioning educational facility, hopefully restored to the status of High School.  Additionally, and related to the primary issue, we are opposed to transporting students from the South Park Neighborhood to outlying communities when the South Park Neighborhood has existing facilities that can accommodate those students.

 At the board meeting on March 6th, I gave each board member a packet containing copies of a petition that our group has been circulating and also a few letters of concern and support from citizens and SP alumni.  To this date we have received additional support letters and over 1,000 signed petitions ... and the petitions continue to come in strong.   You might find it interesting to know that our list of petition signers includes SPHS graduates dating as far back as the 1920s and ranging to current students.

The historical value of the old SPHS building to the town of Beaumont is indisputable, and to even consider tearing all or part of the building down or remodeling it to the point where it is no longer recognizable as a historical building is as unconscionable as doing away with our courthouse or Tyrrell Library or any of our other historical buildings in which we take pride.   Our concerns, however, as stated earlier, involve more than just preserving a building.  We are convinced that if a quality K-12 school system were returned to the South Park area, it would give the children of South Park not only accessibility to their education but also the intangible sense of identity and connection to their community, which, in turn, would help revitalize the community.

As we have been circulating our petitions through merchants and their patrons in the neighborhoods of SP, we've been overwhelmed by the intensity of their reactions. Many merchants have been willing and eager to display the petitions in their stores.  Many have shared their thoughts about the school's historical value.  Some have expressed concerns about possible negative effects on their businesses if more children are bussed away, as that might result in driving residents away.  Some are understanding that it would simply be good for business to have all 12 grades in the area again.  The enthusiasm and eagerness that patrons have demonstrated has been amazing to witness.  Many have requested additional petition forms to take to their families and neighbors.  Parents have expressed their anger and frustration that their children are being bussed away to high school, and they've shared with us their fears that more students will be bussed, as is indicated by the proposed closing of Bingman Elementary.  Many say, "What are they thinking!" when they speak of the prospects that the historical building could be compromised in any way.   Numerous times we've heard statements such as, "I went to that school!" or "My mom went to that school" or "That's MY school!" - all with expressions of pride and in many cases a definite tone of ownership.  We've also talked to students who have expressed their concerns about the fate of the school.  The spirit of pride and community is very much alive in South Park.

It's imperative that BISD be made aware of these concerns within the community while the proposals to repair, renovate and change the city's schools are still in the planning stages.  This school board should be reminded that it is indeed a grave injustice to the SP community that it is presently deprived of a K-12 system, which should be the right of any community.

We have heard the argument that there are not enough children left in SP to support K-12; but that seems a bit disingenuous when you consider the number of currently enrolled students in Bingman, Pietzsch/MacArthur, and SPMS, which, according to the enrollment records, is a significant number.  Those students will be progressing to a high school  somewhere.   Currently, high school students are being bussed to Ozen and West Brook.  The need for a local high school seems obvious.  We feel that restoring the old SPHS building to its originally intended status of High School would not only be beneficial to the residents of the South Park community but it could also have a direct impact on reducing the overcrowding conditions at Ozen and West Brook.  Additionally it could reduce the need for renovations at those respective schools as well as relieve the district of related bussing expenses.  I shouldn't need to point out that the SP facility already includes a stadium, practice field, and tennis courts ... all of which can be repaired and renovated.  

A school system is one of the primary foundations of any community.  If you provide a community with a good school system, the students will come.  Commerce will come.   The community will grow.  The residents and students will benefit. The school district and the city will benefit.  Lamar University, as its neighbor, will benefit.  The taxpayers will benefit.   The school facilities are already there, waiting to be properly cared for and utilized. 

Thank you.