[Nfbwv-talk] WVSD&B STORY ON PUBLIC RADIO TODAY

Tue Oct 9 18:56:41 UTC 2012

Ed, 

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Charlene

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbwv-talk [mailto:nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ed
McDonald
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 4:44 PM
To: NFB of West Virginia Discussion List
Cc: wvsb alumni info list
Subject: [Nfbwv-talk] WVSD&B STORY ON PUBLIC RADIO TODAY

West Virginia Public Radio earlier today ran a feature story about the 
ten-year Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan (CEFP) for the Schools
for 
the Deaf and Blind. The plan was approved last week by the State Board
of 
Education.

The story was produced by reporter Cecelia Mason and was based primarily

upon an interview with superintendent Lynn Boyer. It also included a
brief 
excerpt from a telephone interview which Mason conducted with me about
three 
weeks ago. In preparing the story, Mason also interviewed Debbi
Williamson, 
president of the School for the Blind Alumni Association, but she
apparently 
chose not to include any of that interview in the story.

Needless to say, the story focuses primarily upon provisions of the plan

itself, with comparatively little attention given to the concerns which
were 
expressed during the public hearing.

Below is the text of the piece. You should also be able to find an audio

version at

www.wvpubcast.org/news

It should appear near the top of the list of current West Virginia
stories 
with a link to "audio."

I do not know at this time when the state School Building Authority is 
scheduled to consider the matter of funding the project.

Ed

#########################

Schools for Deaf and Blind changes approved

By Cecelia Mason

October 8, 2012 * The State Board of Education approved a plan to revamp
the 
West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind during its monthly meeting
last 
week.

If the 10-year comprehensive plan is fully implemented it will mean
major 
changes to the campus in Romney and in the school's mission.

An education department audit done two years ago showed a variety of 
problems at the schools, so in July of 2011 the State School Board hired
Dr. 
Lynn Boyer as superintendent and gave her the task of correcting these 
problems.

Boyer said the audit found buildings that are deteriorated and out of
date 
and a need to update the curriculum to meet state standards.

"They didn't see current materials, they didn't see sufficient
technology, 
they interviewed and observed teachers teaching without relevance to the

content standards in the state," Boyer said. "The organizational
leadership 
was somewhat in disarray so they did not believe that it was an
efficient 
and effective organizational structure."

In an effort to address concerns in the audit the school has put
together it's 
first-ever 10-year comprehensive plan.

"And we had to talk about 'what is it we do now and what we want to do
in 10 
years? What do we want the children to have access to?'" Boyer said.
"How do 
we believe we can design a campus that will be more accessible for them,

that will make it more of a community for them?"

Boyer said one goal is to retain some of the school's history while 
accommodating technology and amenities like health and wellness
facilities 
that many other schools across the nation offer.

Currently there are 19 buildings on the campus, eight of which are not
used. 
There are three education buildings and two freestanding dormitories.
They 
range in age with the oldest dating to 1845 and the newest to 1992.

"As it's designed now, even though it's always been a campus for
children 
who are blind as well as deaf, the design of the campus is really
difficult 
for them to navigate," Boyer said.

"With the change in the use of some buildings we have some children who
are 
blind who are now in the position to traverse across curbed walkways
which 
are not the easiest for them and some distance, 10 to 15 minutes
walking, 
several times a day."

The plan calls for drastic and controversial changes that would
completely 
alter the look of the campus and how it functions. Boyer said many of
the 
older buildings can't accommodate modern educational equipment or meet
the 
needs of today's students.

"The intention is to have a campus that is 21st century, that
incorporates 
all the design features that we know these children need with classrooms

that we know will enhance their learning," Boyer said.

It would cost an estimated $75 to $80 million to implement the plan in
its 
entirety. At least 11 buildings would be torn down and a set of new 
buildings would be erected over the next ten years. Some alumni are 
concerned that the school will tear down buildings and not have the
money to 
build new ones, making it possible to justify closing the school.

1968 graduate, and First Vice President for the National Federation of
the 
Blind West Virginia, Ed McDonald, said both blind and deaf alumni are
also 
worried that the plan calls for the two student populations to share
some 
facilities.

"Because communication can be difficult between the two populations that

based on some past experience opens up the possibility for possible 
bullying, that kind of thing," McDonald said. "But even more than that I

think just to maintain the integrity and the specialization of the two 
instructional programs causes some concern."

Boyer said the school does not intend to have blind and deaf students in
the 
classrooms at the same time, and it will be important to make sure
children 
who are basically unable to communicate with each other are not bullied.

And she emphasizes that closing the school is not part of the plan.
Boyer 
believes a new, modern campus will help increase enrollment and make
sending 
a child to school there more appealing.

"Because of the design of the campus, because of the age of the
buildings, 
the instructional options within the way the buildings are designed now,
we 
have families who come and counties who would like to place children
here 
who are not absolutely assured that the education this child would get
here 
is comparable to what they would get in the county," Boyer said.

Currently there are about 125 students on the Romney campus. The school
also 
provides educational resources for counties with blind and deaf
students. 
Boyer said the plan calls for ramping up the educational outreach and 
technical assistance that's offered throughout the state.

"One of the buildings will be repurposed to be a center for excellence
in 
teaching and learning for these populations," Boyer said. "We'll be
doing 
professional development there. We'll be repurposing it so it's
hospitality, 
career option, we'll be training students there."

The plan calls for renovating the dorms so teachers who come for 
professional development will have a place to stay, and for space where 
higher education institutions can locate satellite programs.

Boyer said the next step is to find money to implement the plan. The
School 
Building Authority has made several visits to look at the campus and she

anticipates needing a campaign to raise private money as well. Boyer
said as 
the school moves forward it may also have to alter the plan to address 
concerns by alumni and the community.

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