First off... Sorry for being an irresponsible and inconsistent blogger lately. Hopefully in ~3 wks my life will return to somewhat normal. This Summer has been CRAZY... (ie built paver patio, boat damaged/repaired, family member with ruptured disk/surgery, and finally a kitchen remodel, and work as crazy as ever....) Lord I hope it slows down soon. The upside is that I am learning a lot of information and developing some new skills. (ie paver prep/installation, fiberglass repair, recessed lighting install, the mechanics of the spine, sanding and staining of Maple, etc, etc, etc)
The topic of today is STEAM... And NO I did not say STEM... Apparently the Magnets committee has decided that STEAM is the best alternative. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) It kind of reminds me of the sales tax increase we passed awhile back. "If you can not get enough votes, throw someone else's concerns into the mix" (ie sales tax = environment and arts) Worked well for the Sales Tax, not sure it makes a good school strategy. Thoughts?
The second topic is the potential outsourcing of RAS Transportation. It is definitely a decision that needs to be considered, but researched carefully. There could be some very interesting consequences for the better and worse. The definite upside is that it would pave the way to selling off the current ESC/Bus Garage site. Then the District personnel could be placed in or distributed across other less expensive already owned sites. Thoughts?
8Aug11 Worksession packet
15Aug11 Board mtg packet
Sun RAS could save $1 million
Sun RAS STEAM
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5 comments:
Wasn't it just two years ago we went through a wrenching realignment of the District as a result of closing schools due to declining student body population trends? I find it quite interesting that the District established an Advisory Committee to study divestiture excess buildings that recommended selling them? Why hasn't that advice been followed?
The proposed Magnet school buildings need serious capital funding to be functional. Where is this funding going to come from. What part of budget deficit discussions are the Board members failing to understand?
Proposed spending to upgrade Pilgrim Lane will be in the neighborhood of $10-15 million based on estimates of the repairs and upgrades needed. Money that comes from property taxes, state income taxes and federal grants is not "free" money. It all comes from taxpayers who are losing jobs, facing foreclosure and being squeezed by rising food and utility costs. Does the District really need to expand into two more buildings with the additional staff and maintenance costs in addition to capital costs? In my opinion, the District needs to hold the line on spending and focus on the actual funding necessary to run the District efficiently and stop proposing new spending for wants and desires that establish elite schools that will be unavailable to struggling students living in poverty. Why can't these programs be implemented in a "school within a school concept"?
Outsourcing transportation is a good start. Then I think we should outsource District administration and finally, pupil instruction. Government operates everything at more cost with lower quality. I'm serious.
And a question. If we start up a school that specializes in S,T,E,M and A, are we finally teaching what should be taught in the schools already? That is, why do we need another school to teach these things?
J. Ewing
I've sensed an odd coalition between the Walsh "reopen Pilgrim Lane!" and Green "keep charters out of PL!" forces. With money tight, Spanish Immersion #2 and STEM are narrow and expensive. So you're right, now it's STEAM, and it sort of works with 281's historical but fading claim to be among the best in the arts electives.
But the more we specialize, must not the core suffer, even though Math is a core subject? Maybe that's the idea, because it's easier to inflate results in non-core programs.
We should probably spell STEAM as steAm, since with the most objectively measurable outcome (math) is a prerequisite to S,T,and E. If implemented, the focus will be on Art, you watch.
I prefer MEECH: Math, English, Economics, Civics and History.
Anon,
I agree. We were selling them all ASAP. Then we were going to sell all ASAP except Olson and PLE. And then the Hosterman sale and 287 construction tied up Cavanaugh and Sandburg for another yr. (ie or it looks like 2) 287 NEC Pg
It sure would be nice to have those capital dollars available for other projects.
Speaking of which... How are upgrades going at Northport and Lakeview? I have heard little. Where is that money coming from, since we have not sold anything?
Speed,
Or maybe...
G - Geography
I - Interprational Arts
V - Voice
E - English
M - Math
O - Origami
R - Recreational Sports
E - Economics
Terrible examples, but you get the idea...
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