Retired North Meck principal remembers W.A. Hough, outlines concerns over new North Meck boundaries

Jimmy Poole at Summit Coffee in November.

To the editor:

Several people asked me why my name wasn’t considered for the new high school on Bailey Road I told them that first of all, I am still alive, and second, someone would probably find a way to make fun of my name.

On the name Hough High: If the issue is over process, then I cannot comment on that as I was not involved with the committee. I, along with other alumni, got involved with the attacks on the name. Having worked in education for 35 years at all levels, I am certain that any ridicule of the Hough name will be short lived. I knew Mr. Hough as my principal, my boss and my friend. He was an esteemed educator, a man of integrity, who espoused the ideals of honesty, hard work, faith and love. He was a humble man who helped start the boilers in the morning to get heat to the school and drove the bus for the football games because he said, “I am going anyway.” I can just see him now concerning this fuss (over his name). He would shake his head, smile and say, “I declare.” The new school should be named for him.

WHAT TO NAME THE NORTH MECK STADIUM

In addition, something at North Meck should bear his name. I will give a little history. In the mid 90s, we dedicated the new media center to him since we couldn’t name a building for someone living at that time. The rules have changed now. The new football stadium was completed just before I retired. We formed a committee to consider names. We wanted a lot of input, so it took some time. Someone suggested that we name different parts of the sports complex in order to honor many – like my alma mater Davidson, and other colleges, did with the sports complex, the stadium, the field house, press box, etc. This naming process was not complete when I retired, and the new administration has not completed it either. I am sure Mr. Hough could be honored here in some way. Mr. Burch (the current principal) recently called me about naming something at North and I suggested he reconvene this committee.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW BOUNDARIES

CMS chose a modified option 2 (the middle map) for the Hough High boundaries. Click picture to download the detailed maps and descriptions. (PDF)

On North Meck’s new boundaries (click HERE to see the PDF map CMS adopted): I am getting contact each day from parents in the North district who are just realizing the impact the new boundaries will have on the school and their children. They regrettably did not get involved in the process because they wanted their children to go to North and they trusted the three plans (presented by CMS as possible boundaries for the new Hough High) would be relatively fair and equitable. They were not.

The school board had three options before them when the school assignment boundaries were being established for the new school, involving areas currently assigned to North,  Hopewell, and West Charlotte High. Of the three options, the school board chose the plan that most negatively impacts North. With the chosen plan, North will lose its identity, sense of community and become a low-performing school. I wish I had time to share an e-mail from a Hough High parent who, along with others, is choosing to send her child to Hough instead of North’s IB program, mainly because of the new boundaries.  I predict that the highly successful IB program will dissolve within five years for lack of participation and that students will leave North for the nearby charter and private schools.

SEEKING A REMEDY

A simple change would solve the problem. Reconsider the amendment proposed by a school board member to allow students who live from Sunset Road to I-85 to remain at their present school (currently West Charlotte High).  Allow students from the Hornet’s Nest area to return to North (they have been assigned there before) and allow the newly-assigned students nearer their home school to remain there.  I predict most, if not all, would prefer that.

The resulting school would not be too large at 2,000. North has provided positive educational experiences for students in the northern end of the county in spite of overcrowded conditions. It was the largest school in the state several times, with a student population of nearly 3,000 students in a facility built for 1,500. History has shown that the northern area is popular with newcomers to the area and North Mecklenburg High will inevitably grow. There should be no concern about the school becoming too small.  Recent news reports have indicated that the commuter rail-oriented development across the street from the school (Bryton) will eventually have 4,000 single- and multi-family houses, though I’m sure many parents will hesitate to buy in that neighborhood unless there is a strong, high-performing school nearby for their children to attend.

Built in 1951, North Mecklenburg High successfully served the northern end of the county for 58 years. However, the school has lost many students from the five communities that first walked its halls. North lost students from Derita when Vance opened, then lost student from Long Creek and the lake when Hopewell was built and lost others when Mallard Creek opened its doors. Despite each opening, the school still continued to grow. I knew that we would eventually lose the Davidson and Cornelius areas but I never dreamed we would also lose many hometown Huntersville students.

NOT TOO LATE TO ADJUST NORTH BOUNDARIES

I believe that Mr. Hough would be sad about the attacks on his name, but I think he would be more upset over the changes his beloved North Mecklenburg High will suffer from the inequity in the new student assignment that evolved from the building of the new school. I know the school board’s objections: it is too late.  But it really isn’t, and it seems logical that it would be better to prevent a problem than to deal with it later.  And there is a precedent — the school board made modifications at East after the new Mint Hill boundary decisions was made, because the board realized the impact on East.  The boundary changes resulting from the new Hough High will have a far worse impact on North than the assignment plans for those other schools.

The school board needs to amend the assignment plan for North and not create another low-performing school. North should be allowed to remain small for a time and keep what remains of its sense of community and excellence.

Jimmy K. Poole

North Graduate of 1963
North’s Principal 1994-2005, and
president of the North Mecklenburg Alumni Association

SEE RELATED COVERAGE

Our March 11 post discussed the boundary options:  “CMS workshop on Bailey Road high school” (Click on the headline to read the story.)

Click on our “Hough High” tag to see related coverage of about the new high school.