October 29, 2008

 

Dear Estacado Parents:

All of you should have received a letter from L.I.S.D.  Superintendent Mr. Wayne Havens this past weekend informing you that Estacado High School did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the No Child Left Behind Law.  This is an informative letter and not a notice that Estacado will be closing as a school.  I have received many phone calls asking if Estacado will be closed after this year.  I can assure you with absolute confidence that there are no plans to close Estacado High School.

Every year the federal government raises the bar for all schools to perform at a higher level and in many cases they are unrealistic in their requirements.  Estacado High School is not against accountability as long as it is fair and attainable.  This year all the high schools in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, and Odessa did not meet AYP.  In my opinion this is more a problem with the accountability system than the schools.

In the letter from Mr. Havens Estacado students are allowed to transfer to another LISD school after a conference with me in person.  I just want to inform you that in the letter from Mr. Havens he also pointed out that all the other high schools in LISD also did not meet AYP.  Currently Estacado High School has an enrollment of 844 students and that gives our teachers an opportunity to work more one on one with our students.  This number also places us at the top of the AAA ladder, and this makes us very competitive in all UIL events.  Losing students will only weaken our competitive edge.

Our parents and community are the best ambassadors of our school and I ask you to be our advocates and help stop the rumor.  With your support and encouragement we can make Estacado High School the best school in LISD.   

If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 766-1339 or come by for a visit.

Sincerely,

David J. Vasquez