Gallon's K-8 move: Best thing since sliced bread?

My K-8 experience took place in rooms much like this.

Could Plainfield's Board of Ed have hit one out of the park in the selection of Steve Gallon III as schools superintendent?

Only time will tell, but I am impressed by the way he is setting out on his Plainfield tenure.

First off, that he held retreats for the Board and his administrative team right away. Feedback I got from the staff retreat is positive, and the idea of having staffers submit written proposals for how to improve the district -- with bullet points on implementation -- only helps reinforce the sense we are stepping off on the right foot. After all, who better to give input on how to make improvements than those in the trenches?

Secondly, I am impressed that Dr. Gallon intends to develop K-8 schools in the system -- for two reasons.

First, that he is addressing head on a problem that I have been aware of since getting into real estate over twenty years ago: people feel quite comfortable about buying a home in Plainfield and using the elementary schools, but many search for alternatives as their kids approach middle school years.

Secondly, I am the product of a K-8 school, and think the model has a lot of upside benefits -- though perhaps some of what I experienced would not be allowed in these more politically correct days (would it be allowed for a 14-year-old to tend to stoking and removing the ashes of a coal-fired furnace?).

K-8s are a very old idea, and at one time were the norm throughout the country. Middle schools (or, as I knew them, 'Junior highs') were an invention of the 1920s. I may write more on my K-8 experiences some other time, but curious readers can check out my post on life lessons learned from penmanship instruction ("Can u rd this?").

For now, he and Board President Bridget Rivers are on the money as far as I am concerned. I was long ago told by a former school board member that 'people in Trenton' knew how many Plainfield kids attended non-public schools and where they went -- but good luck getting the information.

A quick unscientific glance at the numbers still suggests Gallon is attacking a real problem: with approximately 9,000 kids of school age residing in the city and somewhat around 7,000 enrolled in the public schools, we are looking at upwards of 23% of kids whose parents are making other choices.

Time to address the issue.

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• The Board of Education meets at 7:00 tonight, Washington School Cafetorium, 427 Darrow Avenue. Parking is available in the Spooner Avenue lot. The public may comment. All are welcome.

-- Dan Damon

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