Diversity argued in ongoing discussion
Spartan Village Elementary School’s pupils are known for their different skin colors and cultural backgrounds. The small elementary at 1460 Middlevale Road is a blessing for parents such as Vicki Sorrone, who want a diverse education for their young children. But Sorrone said it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that her blessing is what nearly brought the school to closure by the East Lansing school board in an attempt to remedy the district’s financial woes. “Personally, I think one of the reasons they chose Spartan Village is because some of the parents here are international and do not participate in the community as much as parents from some other schools,” Sorrone said at a school board meeting earlier this month. Sorrone, a school-of-choice parent from Haslett, said she kept her two children from attending Haslett schools because its system is “too white.” Board Treasurer Barb McMillan said Spartan Village was considered for cuts because it has the lowest number of residential students, making transportation costs higher than any other school in the district. Board member Rod Murphy said, if anything, diversity was a factor that helped the school stay open. “Because of university apartments and because of the international flavor at MSU, our schools have always had an international flair,” Murphy said.