Parents organizing to defend CLP Middle School

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Concerned about losing one of its two schools, LaPorte parents have formed a group called Friends of Cache La Poudre Middle School.

Its formation was prompted by Poudre School District's current facilities study process, which is looking at ways to use the district's buildings more efficiently. It's possible that the LaPorte middle school could be closed, depending on what options a district committee recommends.

The Lab School wants to move to a kindergarten through eighth-grade configuration, and one of the possible locations is the Cache La Poudre schools. The lab school could occupy both the elementary and middle school buildings.

According to assistant superintendent Kevin Hahn, a Lab School move to LaPorte would not necessarily mean the closure of the neighborhood schools. He said there is no talk of closing CLP Elementary; that school could co-exist with the Lab School. The future of CLP Middle School is more uncertain, however.

Debbie Hayhow, a member of the new parent organization, said its primary objective is to "ensure that the Poudre School District board hears from parents and other concerned citizens served by CLPMS." The group, she said, is "organizing to ensure that CLPMS remains a vibrant and central part of community life in the north Fort Collins and mountain areas."

Anyone interested in joining can e-mail FriendsOfCLPMS@mywdo.com.

Lynn Long, volunteer coordinator for CLPMS, said that after talking with Principal Skip Cadoo, she's confident the district won't close the middle school. There's room at the school to absorb Lab School students, she said.

"Our school is extremely necessary in this community," Long stated. "It's such a great environment for the kids, and the staff is incredibly dedicated. I don't know any other school where the principal knows every student by name."

Long said she moved to the LaPorte area just so her children could attend middle school at CLP.

Parents with concerns are welcome to talk to Cadoo, Long noted.

The facility design feasibility committee, formed in mid-October, plans to solicit input from citizens, but the timeline is short. PSD officials hope to make decisions about facilities changes by December or early January.

Other schools being considered as Lab School sites include Moore, Riffenburgh and Bauder elementary schools.