How much should be spent on renovations in the next bond issue, especially when it comes to issues of equity?
As noted in today's article, those are among the difficult questions that will have to be answered as the school board formulates the next capital improvement plan and bond issue.
“We need to have expectations for our older schools that have been around for a generation or two," said Kevin Hill, vice chairman of the school board.
Hill said the school system has an obligation to make sure that older schools get the facilities they need to provide students with a good education.
But Terry Stoops, education policy analyst for the John Locke Foundation, is questioning whether the renovations are meant more to win voter support. Stoops noted how the report from the Citizens' Facilities Advisory Committee, of which he was a member, questioned why so much of the renovations in the 2006 bond issue dealt with non-classroom space.
"There's definitely a connection between renovations and politics," Stoops said.
Stoops argues that, especially in light of the weak economy, the school district should focus on new schools and renovations in high-growth areas.
Click here for the list that was presented to the school board on Tuesday.
Comments
As for the Brier Creek kids
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 19:50 — jenmanAs for the Brier Creek kids going to Leesville. It is a long distance, but I'd rather go to Daniels solely because of the academic opportunities it offers. I think the Brier Creek kids have the best of both worlds--they get the magnet programs but they still get to go to school with their neighborhood friends.
Does it amaze anybody else that kids in regular middle schools are only allowed ONE elective per term? I have not heard of a school system as large as or in such a well funded, well educated area as Wake only having one elective option.
Bob--I think you're right
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 19:43 — jenmanBob--I think you're right about Anne McLaurin's seat. At least if WCPSS looks logically at the census figures when they redraw the boundaries in 2011. But when they redrew the districts last time, one of the 'guidelines' they used was to not redraw them so as to remove any current members from office. With Bev Clark and Anne M living only a few miles away that will be hard to do, but you can bet they will do it unless the rest of us speak up.
Big Winnie--I agree with you about Leesville not being 'all that'. Not that I think its a bad school or area, just that the image is not the reality. Just like some areas assigned to Davis Drive. The news shows all these nice houses and everybody assumes they must cost a ton of money. When in reality, they are most likely paying less for their homes than people living in Western ITB are. Yet Davis Drive and Leesville get portrayed as elitist areas.
Jenman that's exactly right
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 19:51 — bigwinnieJenman that's exactly right about the Leesville area...not a bad area, it's a great area and the Leesville campus has good schools, but mercy me, there's not all BMW's and Mercedes in the high school student lot (instead of parking on some grass to make a point)....there may be some sure, but I think there are probably "some" just about anywhere in the Triangle anymore heck Brier Creek auctioned off a CAR for their last Silent Auction, they've got more $$ over that way than Leesville....it's takes such a one-two from so many for all the wrong reasons.
shank--thanks for the
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 13:48 — jenmanshank--thanks for the insight on Daniels and Broughton. Yes, I think its time for a big shift in assignments down there. Reassignments have seemed to go east-west or west-east north of 440, when we need to think about adding some north-south shifts as well.
I know there was a time when ITB schools were losing students to the newer schools and I'm glad that something was done to help them. But now the pendulum has swung too far the other way.
It cracks me up to hear about 'equity' for the older schools when all the schools ITB get magnet programs anyway. I'm not against doing renovations needed for health & safety, but not just to keep up appearances. I'd gladly trade my newer school for an older one like Wiley that my kids could walk to and get to choose from 4 different foreign languages to take.
And then when these schools are renovated and all shiny & new, they still get to keep their magnet programs. Must be nice.
voiceforequity.blogspot.com
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 17:06 — jenmanWhile we are on the subject of magnet schools and equity, I have just updated my blog with posts about the magnet review that is supposed to be going on now.
We have at least 6 magnets that are serving middle to high income base nodes. Underwood, Joyner, Wiley, Daniels, Martin & Broughton are all due for review based on the base populations they serve.
I also agree with the idea of closing some of these magnets. Or how about turning some of them into 6th or 9th grade centers for overcrowded middle and high schools?
Now is the time to write the BOE to tell them what you think!
Nice overview and data on
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 07:49 — shank56Nice overview and data on your blog, jenman.
If I recall correctly, at a time when Daniels was struggling, along with Carroll- there was an opportunity for assignment shift from a crowded Leesville MS. But the Leesville schools were always "protected" - so a magnet program was put in place at Daniels and at Broughton which had lost kids to Leesville, Enloe and private.
Leesville still busting at the seams- and Carroll still underenrolled. If Daniels is demagnetized, could not shifts be made from Leesville to Daniles and Carroll?
Aren't the kids from Brier Creek still assigned to Daniels base? Are they not crying to be much closer to home at Leesville MS?
"Aren't the kids from Brier
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 19:04 — NWRaleighMom"Aren't the kids from Brier Creek still assigned to Daniels base? Are they not crying to be much closer to home at Leesville MS"
Are you kidding??? Daniels has really nice magnet program. So, whoever can't get to Ligon/Martin is really happy in Daniels. It would've been different, if they had been assigned to Carroll..... But who's going to assign such an affluent neighborhood to Carroll?
"But who's going to assign
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 19:11 — bigwinnie"But who's going to assign such an affluent neighborhood to Carroll?"
and not get sued over that!? Truth be told LRMS is not "all that" that some on this blog seem to think so Daniels is probably a step up.
Leesville Protected No Longer
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 10:33 — Lisa_BWow, that has a nice ring to it---"Leesville schools were always "protected". Don't I selfishly wish that was still the case !?!
Unfortunately, it's the opposite. Leesville schools have been TARGETED in recent years. In my opinion, it's like anything that is going well---SOMEONE decides to "take it down" and ruin a great thing. (you know, little Johnny has a much cooler bike than some of the other kids, so if we can't have a bike just like his we'll just break his bike instead)
Our community is rallying now, hoping to get the campus all back to the traditional calendars. BUT, the uphill battle described by Keung is certainly true. If we can't even get our own Board Representative to represent us (by US I mean the collective "us"--the majority of families and staff members who are BEGGING to be unconverted) then we are certainly fighting an uphill battle.
Uphill is better than having no battle at all, right? I hope that all 22 schools continue FIGHTING for what makes sense.
ITB
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 10:56 — joeciullaInstead of renovating some of the inside-the-beltline schools, we should look at demolishing them. There are far more seats for elementary students inside the beltline than there are actual students. To continue to pour money into these schools only encourages dragging more kids out of their neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, as long as Rosa and her ITB gang only have to answer to their own districts, we'll continue to pour money down the drain.
Homey don't think so, Joe.......
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 12:59 — WuptdoJoe, Joe, Joe -- geez, you seem to forget there are actually two school systems in Wake County. The "have's" inside the beltline and the "have nots" outside of the beltline.
The "have's" inside the beltline, like their older, smaller, neighborhood schools and don't want them torn down, just renovated at a much higher cost. And since they are "have's" they will get what they want. What makes it even better for them is those outside of the beltline actually pay the lions share of taxes, and anytime the "have's" can make life better for themselves, at the "have nots" expense, it makes it even more sweeter -- like getting your cake and ice cream too.
Why do you think the "ITB'ers" are so afraid of "at-large" elections?
After the redistricting...
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 16:42 — Bob_SconceThe "haves" will have a less power in 2011. Anne McLaurin, for example, is going to have a tough time keeping her seat. It seems to me that the only reasonable thing to do will be to move district 5 out and divvy up what used to be the top 1/3 of district 5 among districts 4 & 6. District 9 may have to stretch out to form another pie-wedge as well.
I couldn't Agree More
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 11:33 — Voice_of_Reason_The land is free, tear down the schools and rebuild them with more capacity. In most cases it is cheaper than renovating. Why build all these nice new schools and fill them up with trailer lots so we can take the overflow from ITB?
Well,
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 13:11 — Bob_SconceI think the flow generally goes from OTB -> ITB. That's why all the magnet schools are ITB.
Only two of the schools proposed for renovations are actually ITB -- Conn & Broughton. Conn seems to be an excellent candidate for closing -- it's a magnet school, so a large part of its population comes from someplace else, and it sits on land that would be pretty valuable. By WCPSS standards, it's also fairly small.
I think they should sell it off and use the proceeds to build a school near where people live. They'll spend almost that much renovating.
I have no problems with renovations when they're cost-efficient and done to increase capacity, fix health and safety issues or correct deficiencies that seriously impede learning. I do object to the "Waahh... Evverybody else gets a nice new school. Where's ours?" attitude. If you want a new school, move.
College classrooms are often ancient, yet nobody seems to be complaining about professors still being forced to use chalkboards.
On Older Schools
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 13:58 — Voice_of_Reason_Bob, in general I agree; however, there is something called economy of scale. It is more efficient with the administrative overhead of modern schools that makes it more efficient to have larger schools. Of course there is a maximum size that should be considered too, but many older schools are just too small for the population they serve. What I do have a big problem with is the dumping of modular units as "permanent" structures at school. Are we expecting the population to decrease?
Image if.....
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 10:18 — WuptdoImage if we had 4 more like Mr. Stoops, along with Ron M on our School Board. The possibilities of finally get some education out of the schools instead of fail social engineering -- what a novel idea!
School where you actually learn something -- brilliant!
So rational, yet so unreasonable
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 07:40 — Dadof3Stoops, amen!
The only thing missing from this reasonable and rational approach is the implemention of Del-Chuck's Pipedreamistan nation.
No one else's money is spared until we get there!