Van-Cove and Wickes, consolidating???

Van-Cove and Wickes consolidating as early as next year? Did anyone else hear this??

Talked to Van-Cove superintendent yesterday.. He said it was still just in the talking stages now... i am not so enthused about the idea.

Double the Debt, Double the Fun!!!!

I'm sorry but did people not see this coming? Cove should of been in the mix of the consolidating when Hatfield was. They were the same size if not smaller than Hatfield. I'm sorry this is happening, but like Hatfield you guys are probably a little late on trying to save your schools.

Actually both Van-Cove and Wickes schools have been bigger than Hatfield for awhile. When Hatfield shut down, a lot of the students went to Cove, which made them even bigger.

I am a VC alumini and yes, I have been anticipating them consilidating for a long time. In fact, I have made comments over and over to people that I believe that by the time my children get in high school, the only school left in Polk County was going to be Mena.

Cove and Hatfield did talk of consolidating at one point but Hatfield couldn't come to an agreement with them....they probably wish now that they had, but now its too late...

Hey, it is working for Acorn and Oden, why couldn't it work for these two schools....just for the record, it is Wickes that is in financial trouble, not Cove....

This post has been edited by jpicker on Nov 7 2009, 05:32 PM

Don't forget Wickes is consolidated with Umpire.

[QUOTE] Actually both Van-Cove and Wickes schools have been bigger than Hatfield for awhile. When Hatfield shut down, a lot of the students went to Cove, which made them even bigger..

Ya I realize they are now bigger because of all the kids that went to cove after hatfield consolidated with mena.... I ment back when Hatfield was having to consolidate they were about the same size if not smaller... I know it has to be hard on any of the kids to feel like they are losing their schools. I went to a small school and I loved it. But now I see that if I had of went to a bigger school there was alot more being offered for the kids. So I personally am glad that Hatfield merged with Mena instead of Cove.....

I just think that people (both cove and wickes) better prepare themselves now for an answer they don't want to hear. That way when it does happen they won't be so suprised.

This post has been edited by dirtylittlesecret on Nov 8 2009, 09:09 AM

My understanding of the situation is that Wickes is in financial distress. They had to borrow $600,000.00 for payroll during last summer. Years of reckless spending and mismanagement have ruined them. The new Supt. got saddled with a mess and has some tough times and tough choices ahead. Cove is financially secure but has low numbers. I think consolidating would help them both, but I heard as many as 37 teachers would be let go.