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Dear Editor:

Recently (Oct. 28), I requested information from the Maryville City Schools regarding the "proposed" relocation of Maryville High School students to an alternative site for math and science curriculum. The school system responded back to me via e-mail with "we are in the middle of a feasibility study at this time and will release more information as it comes available."

This somewhat vague response illustrates that a divided student population, in spite of declining enrollment in the city schools and a tax base that is declining at a rate unprecedented, is definitely "in the works" as new construction is usually the next step after a feasibility study. I am trying to remember the last time a feasibility study ended without a "throw some money at it" philosophy.

To my knowledge The Daily Times has not written a story in regards to "gutting" Maryville High School of a significant number of students in order to secure some additional, available and seemingly unlimited government funds, in spite of what would be great dissension from the community over a multi-site Maryville High School.

It really is a shame that such a "feasibility study" has not been knowingly made public or is being done in the shadows as are most things that are being manipulated or directed by those outside of the school system or educational process.

Surely the political pressure is not so great that our school administrators cannot withstand the heat of doing the right thing and saying "no, this is not in the best interest of our students." My neighbor, four houses up, has a daughter who recently graduated from Harvard, and she walked the halls of Maryville High School. Countless other students are going to some of the best four-year institutions in the country and reaching their goals beyond Maryville High, proof evident that Maryvlle is a starting point and not a destination.

It is almost laughable that the new Maryville High School "alternative site" being tossed around is on the other side of town, a 20-minute ride to the R and D corridor. Imagine the increased costs of busing, transportation, for multi sites in relationship to what we have now. Sure we could build the building with "free money," but the operating expenses would have to be paid with "real money," yours and mine.

Hopefully this letter will begin the process of the school system making public a "feasibility study" to divide the student population at Maryville High School, long the benchmark of public education in this community. Don't be fooled by political action groups (Blount Education Initiative) who want to lump Maryville High School in with other schools with High School in the name, even if those schools are only a few miles away.

When this "feasibility study" becomes public, as I was told via e-mail will happen "when more information becomes available." Please ask the question of why our to who this information obviously has already been made available. Please contact your Maryville City School Board members and voice your dissatisfaction in the manner this has been handled and then be firmly mounted in opposition to a multi-site Maryville High school, because a betting man would say the "feasibility study" will say "we need it."

This letter respectfully submitted in appreciation of the principals, counselors and especially the teachers who commit to helping young people achieve.

Tom Robinson

2120 Chas Way Blvd.

Maryville, TN 37803