November PTO Member Meeting
November 11, 2008 6:30 pm at GRC library
Meeting was called to order by PTO President Shari Crisp
New Business - anyone interested in serving as PTO Officer (no response)
Speakers- Cora Heffner explained what Partners In Education role was and programs they currently have in place.
Debbie Fatkin and Ray Shearer where present from the school board. Judy Hicks and Rick Perry where present before meeting started but struck their name from the sign in sheet and left the meeting so as not to create a Forum which would have required a public meeting announcement.
This is a synopsis of the Q & A with much of the information given as a dialogue from Debbie Fatkin.
How was the decision to build a new high school reached?
Originally the plan was to renovate Fannie Bush Elementary but after an evaluation and estimates of the required repairs the state denied any funds to do the renovations. The state requires a plan every 4 years for repairs and other needs. A committee of 18 members was formed which involved parents, teachers, principals, school board members and other people outside the school system. In August 2006 the 18 member committee visited each school in Clark County School District and spoke with the Principals to determine the equity of the building, needs and condition. The plan was then devised after a series of more than 30 meetings. Everything it incorporates must be approved by the State.
Why was the decision made to close schools?
The state does not allow renovation of buildings with enrollment of 300 students or less so the plan was to close Hannah McClure, Fannie Bush, Pilot View, Trapp and Providence Elementaries and consolidate the middle schools. Another Elementary building will be constructed behind Central Elementary to hold 600 students that will replace Central Elementary which holds 450 students and replace Fannie Bush. Conkwright would become another elementary. The smaller schools require more teachers with fewer students in each class and consolidating them as well as proper planning would require fewer teachers per school. It was determined that closing the schools could save the school district as much as $250000 a year per school. The cost of maintaining these buildings, utilities and payroll are all factored in. Ray Shearer commented that he voted against the plan because the size of the new schools after consolidation would make the student body outside the states recommendation for best practices in education.
What happens to the old buildings?
They can be sold. The existing high school will be modified to hold the middle school. Hannah McClure will reopen as a Preschool to house 350 students.
Why was the location on Hwy 627 Boonesboro Road chosen?
The school board evaluated approximately 10 different potential sites that would provide 50 acres or more of useable property recommended by the state and most were eliminated because of location and/or availability of utilities. The board physically looked at 8 or 9 sites and of those the 89 acre property on Hwy 627 was decided upon because of the ability to expand later and the cost per acre was lower than other sites they evaluated.
Concerns from the membership where the safety because of heavy trucks traveling on Hwy 627 and the lack of traffic lights and turn lanes, no fire station to respond in the area that was close enough and had man-power to respond, creating more flooding in the neighborhoods off Old Boonesboro Rd.
There would be two entrances into the facility and the Board would be petitioning the state for traffic lights and turn lanes. The new building will have its own fire suppression system and the board will address additional fire coverage with the mayor and fire departments. The building construction is not expected to disturb any property in the bottom area of the site that would cause any other flooding in the neighborhood behind the site but the school board will consult with the architect to clarify the water retention concern.
What is bonded currently and how much? What is expected in the 2nd phase?
The 1st phase is bonded for $38 million which will build a new high school facility that will house 1700 students and every square foot will be utilized. A much larger cafeteria which will allow scheduling to dictate the lunch times. Currently the cafeteria controls the scheduling because they have to have 11 separate lunch periods only allowing students around 20 minutes for lunch. They expect the new cafeteria to accommodate large enough student groups that would require only 3-4 lunch periods. A new Science Lab so students can perform experiments in a safe laboratory environment. A state of the art technology room that can serve as a computer center as well as other classes. The 2nd phase will offer an auditorium, a Freshman wing, a performance gym and extra space for teacher planning periods at a cost of $15 million.
What about security in such a large facility?
The new high school will have a security room for School Resource Officers to monitor cameras located throughout the building. The layout of the building will be more open with fewer hiding spaces and corners. Principal Parido made a statement that in such a large student body the most important need for a student is to feel safe.
When is the projected completion date?
The original date was the Fall of 2011 but due to the delay in finding and closing on the location it will be Jan 2012. In order to close, surveys such as Geotechnical, road service evaluation, boundaries, as well as title searches were required. This held up the architect’s ability to provide the schematic design which is the next step now that the property has been purchased (they closed on Monday Nov 10).
Will the public have any input in the final design of the building? The answer is yes; the community and high school staff were and will continue to be consulted. Prior to preliminary designs of the building the teachers along with teams of students were consulted.
Comments from Principal Parido:
The biggest problem facing our school right now is the lack of resource teachers and curriculum specialists that other schools have which aids the teachers allowing them to spend more time educating students. We also have had a large increase of students who qualify for free and reduced lunches up to 50%. Our community is experiencing a high poverty rate. We also have no alternative placement for students who cannot learn in the environment at GRC because of the lack of funds this beneficial program was ended.
The consensus of the group is that there needs to be an improvement in the Public Relations but there was no funds available for that. Regardless of where either side stands on the issue or issues the one thing that is important is giving our Future Citizens the best education they can in a safe environment and with the best resources available. Due to the lack of revenues from the local tax and allotments from the state, our school district is falling way behind our surrounding counties. In building a new High School it is the expectation that it will give our students “Pride” in their school and a feeling that the community cares.
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