www.PearHead.org

I graduated from Central too, and visited for several years after I graduated, and even in the years immediately after my graduation, the school was taking a turn for the worst. Fighting and gangs had become a problem, as had (of course) overpopulation. Closing Central seems like a bad idea in the sense that the school board is taking these problems and simply moving them to other schools, and compounding the overpopulation problem.

Unfortunately, Duluth is, as I've described it before, on it's way to becoming a ghost town.

I have more to say about that, but need breakfast.

http://www.yearofglad.com

I never really noticed the gang/fighting when I was there. I don't know if it got worse immediately after I left or if I was just oblivious to it (probably both).

I would hope that the school board is looking at population of the two schools when they consider this. You're not going to eliminate the gang/fighting problems by moving people around, nor do I think you're going to make it worse. That's a problem that is probably not related to the location so much as the students/staff/parents.

Duluth is on it's way to becoming a ghost town only in the fact that it's population is declining. I think it's a long ways from a ghost town, and "ghost town" may be a little dramatic.

No, it got worse after you and I both left - I didn't notice it much when I was there, either. According to Mr. B, it got considerably worse, and very fast. And, unfortunately, in public education (Duluth or elsewhere), the bottom line isn't the students - it's the money. So, while I'm sure they're making sure the plan is feasible, it perhaps isn't reasonable. And you were right to apply the old strong tag to the word "parents."

http://www.yearofglad.com

So I recently moved to Duluth MN from South Dakota, and am in my Senior year at Central High. I visited all the high schools, even Herman Town, and Central had a very friendly and the most clean and "inviting"environment. Although my old high school was bigger and definately better in many aspect- it was a new and more modern school built in 2004- Central was definately the better choice. East, which I know many others who attend, has an extreme problem with drugs, and school violence. I know this by word and as a primary source, and so far this year, I have seen one fight in Central. There really is not any sort of violence, or segragation, or concrete high school "clicks" which was very refreshing for me- this I think is because of an excellent principal, and a smaller student population. However, I must say, I think Duluth is a "has been" city.

I would hope that the school board is looking at population of the two schools when they consider this