Tonight begins the long anticipated workshop by Team 6. I was privileged to see a couple of building plans last week at a Citizen's Advisory Council meeting. The discussion included how E. Cook will have six sections of each grade K to 3. If I remember correctly, E. Cook will be a SAGE school. That means there will be about 15 to 17 students per section. If my math is correct, that is at least 90 Kindergarteners, 90 first graders, 90 second graders, and 90 third graders for a total of 360 students in one building. Looking at the plans, E. Cook will nearly triple in size. Of course this is all dependent on what does and does not get cut from the plan to make it more realistic and palatable.
E. Cook will basically absorb enough students and be constructed large enough to replace Lakeside. While we lose one building on paper, we are keeping the square footage and not making a difference in roofing and operational expenses. Having six sections of each grade, we aren't losing any staff either.
If the rest of the plans are like this one, I can see why the "savings" projected way back when were only $1.5 million.
I look forward to seeing the other plans. Possibly what is not saved with the E. Cook plans will be more than made up for with the other plans.
Something Green Meadow and Lakeside areas should be aware of, as should anyone else concerned with/interested in this plan: the discussion at Monday's ASC meeting indicated that Team 6 was looking at what it would take to fix Lakeside and Green Meadow. They have not yet decided if Lakeside will be kept, Green Meadow, or neither. The possibility still exists that we could still lose both south side schools. Team 6 will create 3 sub-teams to answer this and other such questions like how to implement K-3, 4-8.
Because of the magnitude of Team 6's report, the workshop will be broken up into two to three BOE meetings. There may be an additional meeting next Wednesday should the BOE feel they need more time for discussion. Taking on such an important issue in segments is an excellent idea, in my opinion. BOE members will not be subjected to choosing between an all-nighter, or asking important questions. Not to mention, we all will get some sleep and have the opportunity to ask our own questions during forums.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Marathon Building Plans
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6 comments:
Where and when is tonite's meeting? Isn't this something we should be concerned with attending as parents of students?
The meeting is tonight at district offices on Eagle Street at 7pm.
This plan should be a concern of all community members since we will be the ones paying for it. There is a chance for community members to speak on whatever they like at the beginning of the meeting during the public forum portion.
They have not yet decided if Lakeside will be kept, Green Meadow, or neither.
The possibility exists that we could still LOSE BOTH south side schools.
Bussing students from a South-side schools to a NEW north side school.
TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!
Drop the "SAGE" program. Administrators and teachers unions hail the class size reduction program as an educational miracle that boosts performance of kids in first through fourth grade.
Studies show those kids end up at the same test levels as kids who did not go through SAGE schools by the time they reach seventh and eight grades.
The state blackmails districts into the program by giving them a little more money--which does not meet the full cost of hiring the extra teachers or maintaining the extra classrooms. Unfortunately, the bang for SAGE bucks does not justify the extra cost.
"Bussing students from a South-side schools to a NEW north side school."
Where ever did you get that idea?
If they close Lakeside and/or Green Meadow WHERE will these students GO??
It was part of the facilities discussion.
Most would attend Shapiro apparently.
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