[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: District 281 Facilities Plan 1: Admiring The Problem

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
District 281 Facilities Plan 1: Admiring The Problem
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1230606195.shtml


   The Wold team of consultants has made their initial presentation,
   concluding that up to two elementary and up to one middle school could
   be considered for closing at this time. The reason: over-capacity.
   This was preceded by a detailed demographic analysis. It concluded
   that the enrollment will continue to decline from 12,000 today over
   the next ten years, leveling off around 11,000 students. In no
   scenario did demographer Hazel Reinhardt see enrollment rising, so
   there is no point in hanging on to an unneeded building for another
   baby boom or boomlet.
   A business faced with such a scenario would ordinarily not hesitate to
   shed the excess square feet, adjusting the remaining portfolio as
   needed. The only reason not to would be the unfavorable reaction of a
   major client, but even that can normally be mitigated.
   A school district is a bit different as it is a political entity,
   supported by everyone in the district. Everyone therefore has
   expectations, like continuing to have a nearby elementary school.
   Some, as we've seen, have great expectations carried over from decades
   past.
   But fiscal prudence is still fiscal prudence. If the District has
   excess capacity, it owes the public an explanation, a reduction, or a
   better plan for it. The consultants estimate that our elementary
   schools (K-5) have excess capacity of 1,400+ students, more than any
   two buildings combined.
   Is there a better usage, like K-6 or K-8? The District seems
   uninterested in either. The buildings may be too old and otherwise
   unsuitable for higher grades, so I won't push K-8 further. But what
   about K-6? There's no real educational case either way, given the
   large number of districts using K-6, including 281 years ago. That
   would close much of the elementary gap, but there's no real net gain
   as it simply adds to the middle school over-capacity of 784.
   Is there a better usage, as in lower class sizes to use up that space?
   Not that we can afford, especially now. It would raise costs, not
   lower them. Plus, we'd have to deal with the realities of reducing
   average teacher quality. Finally, the verifiable return on such an
   investment is specious.
   No, much as it pains me, the time has come to close at least one
   elementary school, probably two. What remains are the questions of
   which, when, and how. The consultants will be presenting at least two
   such scenarios at the next School Board meeting on January 5th.