Board Presentations
Last night I made two presentations to the board. Both are available on the district web site under “school reconfiguration”
Transitions:
Since we now know that Cross Street will be the first building to close, new transition plans have been created for both a successful bond vote as well as a failed bond vote. Please look them over and let me know if you have any concerns. In some cases there may be flexibility in changing the progression.
Hampton Street preliminary sketches:
I recommended changing the focus of the construction from 4 classrooms to a new Library media, music and art rooms. Preliminary sketches are in the presentation. I will be working with District council to create a committee to meet with the architect.
Posted in Around the District and School Closings 13 years, 4 months ago at 11:55 am. 10 comments
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Dr. Nagler
Maybe it is my perception, but I felt there was a lot more campaigning for the last bond. I think the last bond was a much bigger issue so maybe that added to the reason for more information or my perception of it.
Either way this is still an important bond for people to consider. I know we have a lot of penny pinchers in this district who just vote on the bottom line. I think this is a foolsih way to look at the issue. (Pennywise pound foolish). Just because voting down this bond saves a bit more money now, doesn’t make it economically smarter. All of our home and business values are tied into the success of our school district. People pay 10-20% more for the same homes just block apart based on school district. So while you may save $10-15 per month on your property taxes, how many years of those savings would you need to make up for that 10-20% you lose or gain in home value? Well if the average home is say $400,000 it would take you about 222 years to make up that 10%.
Penny wise pound foolish.
Voting yes on this bond offers a good compromise to our community, we save money and we keep the parents happy. It would follow the CCC recommendation(made up of parent and non parent community residents) and address the main concern on the latest survey. We have been a school district in a constant state of flux for too long.This bond offers a greater chance of giving the a stable school district now and in the future.
That stability will save may save us from future changes at a greater financial cost later.
There was an OUTREACH dedicated to the bond that arrived in homes last week. The bond has been advertised on all seven school buildings (banners). I spoke with the HSPTSA on January 24th. The elementary and MS PTA’s are holding a joint meeting on February 7 at Jackson Avenue and I will be making a presentation for them. I am scheduled to speak with the Willis Avenue PTO tomorrow night. I don’t understand your comment about silence.
While I think it was a good decision by the board to make Hampton the South side school I believe it has doomed the next bond vote.
I had planned on voting yes to both parts of the next bond when the Hapmton issue was still undecided. I think there were too many negative feelings about Willis ave to make it a viable option. In fairness I felt it was important that the south side students and parents were happy with their school and facilities.
Now that the issue with the South side school is decided hopefully it will become a priority to pay off the bond and either sell or rent Willis ave. It seems that school has been an anchor around the neck of this district for some time.
I still think it is important although less likely now, that we pass the bond next week. It stays in line with the CCC recommendation and it adresses the one of the biggest concerns to parents in the latest survey. It will help us have a school district that we can live with for the foreseeable future. Although I make no claims to be an educator, I do see some problems arising with moving 8th graders to the high school. High schools have been 9-12 for many years and there must be a reason for that.
I haven’t really heard much from the district about why we should vote yes on the next bond. After being bombarded with info about the last bond I expected a similar effort put into passing this bond.
Why the silence?
I am grateful to the 3 Board members who have continued to work on developing a strategy to consolidate the schools to meet future needs. However I do have some concerns:
1- As indicted in recent news reports school districts will be facing significant pension contribution increases in the next few years.
2- If Hampton School is going to be upgraded in lieu of Willis Ave School using the undesignated fund balance will this further tighten funds available to meet rising pension costs as well as capital improvements sorely needed such as Middle School auditorium, athletic fields and developing new programs?
3- In lieu of a tight economy will the entire community support a bond for Jackson?
I would finally add that the idea of combining with Herricks is nothing but a red herring by the other Board Members. Indeed in NYC the trend has been to break up larger schools as they do not function as well as smaller schools.
We are currently working in the start times for each building in the new configuration(s). In addition if 5th and 8th grade move we will add a referendum to the May vote to change the bus mileage for 5th and 8th grade to coincide with the other grades in the buildings. For example 5th grade would move from .5 miles to 1 mile to match the current 6th and 7th grade.
If 5th Grade ends up being moved to the Middle School, how will it affect the bus schedule? Will 5th graders be on the same bus as their older siblings? I’ve heard some middle schoolers had to be at their bus stop as early as 7:00 or 7:15 in the morning.
Thank you for allowing the Hampton Street School to remain open.
The Hampton plans look fabulous!!
I am concerned with the noise level in the annex especially for the Library/Media Center. This even holds true for art classes. I love music and instrument, however it is not conducive to concentrating on research or attending to stories being read. I hope Sound Proofing is in the plans.
If the bond passes Pre-K students remain in Willis. If the bond fails current Pre-K students go to either Meadow or Hampton depending on which side of Jericho Turnpike you reside. I did fail to note that children that attend Jackson now and reside North of Jericho turnpike will attend Meadow.
I’m confused about the transition of this year’s Pre-K students according to the charts you have on the site. Where do they go for the 2011-2012 school year for K? All the charts list where the existing K students will go next year for grade one, but I had trouble figuring out where this year’s Pre-K students end up. Also, if Jericho is the border line for the north/ south model, why are incoming first grade students to Jackson who live north of Jericho attending Hampton? One would think they would attend Meadow if Jericho Turnpike is your border line. Could you please clarify this for me, thank you.