2017-02-01 Hearing Transcript - BennettMcKeagueSPP12-141

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WYNN: Okay. My name is Dwyann Wynn, and I live in Hawaiian Paradise Park on Fourth Street. Shady Grove is very near my home as well as near to my heart, and I've always felt that it's an asset to our community. I have never once heard any of my neighbors express any negative things about Shady Grove. In fact, I've only heard positive statements. My neighbors have expressed how much they enjoy hearing the recording music drifting through the trees; how much they enjoy the performances that they've been invited to the, of the children of Shady Grove. But, it's for the children that are now attending Shady Grove as well as those that will attend in the future that I'm really here for today. When Jean asked me if I would speak, it brought back memories of the last meeting that I attended which was way back in early December of 2012. The, where a standing room only crowd of people raised their voices in support of Shady Grove. There was much praise for this small school that day, but there was one voice that I remember the most. That was the voice of a young girl who stood tall and expressed her appreciation of Shady Grove. She stated how she had never felt like she belonged at her previous school, and that she was bored with learning until she entered Shady Grove. This made me think of my own daughter, Sarah, who was part of Shady Grove's first class with Jean. When Sarah was six years old, she decided she hated school. I literally pried her hands off the blankets in the morning and then listened to her sob all the way to school. I just kind of looked at what was happening and decided that there was something wrong with this picture, and so I decided to take her out of school and home school her until she was a little older. The next day, a friend of mine told me about Shady Grove, and the following day, Sarah and I went to check it out. At that point, Sarah began loving Shady Grove, and she never stopped loving Shady Grove for eight years. She be, Jean not only became Sarah's teacher that day. She became a good friend who has remained so throughout the years. Later, my grandson and then my granddaughter also went on to Shady Grove. I have helped with handwork at Shady Grove. I helped for probably about 20 years and had the opportunity to see some children enter this school with learning problems as well as social problems and leave the school with their own self-worth restored because of, they had the opportunity to overcome these problems. The reason why I'm telling you these stories is to show you how important this school is to the children that now attend and the children in the future. I'm truly grateful to Jean for allowing our family to have the opportunity to send our children and feel that her help with these children at Shady Grove has played a big part in preparing them academically as well as socially to lead productive lives in our community and beyond. I feel like there should always be alternatives made available for children because not all children fit into what many of us consider the norm nowadays, and that we not only need Shady Grove, we need more schools like Shady Grove. And, I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express my feelings about such a fine educational establishment which is led by a great teacher, Jean McKeague. CLARKSON: You're welcome, and thank you. Commissioners, are there any questions for the testifiers? In that case, please WYNN: —Thank you. EXHIBIT A 7