Southwest Licking Local Schools wants new school
PATASKALA -- Southwest Licking Local Schools wants to head off overcrowding issues by building a new school.
On Thursday, the school board instructed Superintendent Forest Yocum to form a committee that will be given the task of helping determine the grade organization of a yet-to-be-built school. Notice it not a committee to see if the building is needed or can be afforded just which are we going to build.
The board did not discuss funding for the school, Don't want to go there. but school board member Roger Zeune said he hopes Southwest Licking does not have to revisit the 1990s -- a time when students needed to be housed in closet-like spaces -- before voters approve some sort of funding issue. That one way to keep the student to kid ratio small.
"I just hope we don't have to be (as) bad off as we were before," said Zeune, pointing out voters in the 1990s eventually approved a bond issue that allowed the district to build Etna Elementary School and expand other school buildings. Recent and projected enrollment increases prompted Zeune's concern and the school board's directive to Yocum. Yea, we have all those new developments. Never mind that half are filled with forclosesure and stand empty.
From 2004 to 2005, student enrollment increased by 61, from 3,481 to 3,542. Those figures could have been higher, but the district was mired in a financial crisis during that span, school board member Donald Huber said. "People stayed away," said Huber, pointing out the district made numerous cutbacks to avoid deficit spending. "Now we're healthy again." So your saying you don’t need money? I’m not going to hear how we need money to run the schools or their will be cutbacks?
Residents approved an emergency operating levy in 2005, and statistics show parents have started moving into the district at a greater rate. From 2005 to 2006, enrollment increased by 164 students, and school officials expect more increases in the coming years. Expect more students but we won’t fight a TIF that will steal any increase money from commercial property. We learned how to press parents with school bussing and rumors of split sessions.
The increases have forced the district to scramble for space to house students, school officials said Thursday. Southwest Licking has turned a teacher's lounge at the kindergarten center and a hallway at the high school into classrooms. In addition, the high school is so pressed for space that there is not enough room to add additional courses, Yocum said. "We're hurting," he said. My wallet is hurting already just thinking about it.
Enrollment increases also have forced the district's three elementary schools to scramble for space. Southwest Licking buses some students miles away from their home schools to lessen overcrowding. In fact, the three elementary schools are filling up so fast the district needs to find another strategy other than busing, Huber said. "We are approaching the limits of that strategy," he said.
Huber suggested the district consider building a new intermediate school, but he and his elected peers later decided to let Yocum's committee have some input on the selection. Gee wonder what they will come up with?
"I think we need to let the community come to us with some advice," school board member David Engel said. Keep it simple! How that for advice. Don't put in grand stairways and glass fronts. Build a damn pole barn; call it being in touch with our farming roots.
To that end, the committee will consist of parents, staff and two board members, among others. Yocum will select the members. I hope you find some NO people or at least some that will play devil's advocate.
No timetable was set Thursday for the selection, but Huber said the district needs to move fast if it wants to secure land for a future school. If the district does not get options on sites, property in the district will either get "gobbled up" or become too expensive, Yocum said. The property on 310 are going fast and if the school board don't move they won't be able to add School buses to the Wal-mart and Home-Depot traffic.
Originally published October 13, 2006 by By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter see article here
My opinions in red.
On Thursday, the school board instructed Superintendent Forest Yocum to form a committee that will be given the task of helping determine the grade organization of a yet-to-be-built school. Notice it not a committee to see if the building is needed or can be afforded just which are we going to build.
The board did not discuss funding for the school, Don't want to go there. but school board member Roger Zeune said he hopes Southwest Licking does not have to revisit the 1990s -- a time when students needed to be housed in closet-like spaces -- before voters approve some sort of funding issue. That one way to keep the student to kid ratio small.
"I just hope we don't have to be (as) bad off as we were before," said Zeune, pointing out voters in the 1990s eventually approved a bond issue that allowed the district to build Etna Elementary School and expand other school buildings. Recent and projected enrollment increases prompted Zeune's concern and the school board's directive to Yocum. Yea, we have all those new developments. Never mind that half are filled with forclosesure and stand empty.
From 2004 to 2005, student enrollment increased by 61, from 3,481 to 3,542. Those figures could have been higher, but the district was mired in a financial crisis during that span, school board member Donald Huber said. "People stayed away," said Huber, pointing out the district made numerous cutbacks to avoid deficit spending. "Now we're healthy again." So your saying you don’t need money? I’m not going to hear how we need money to run the schools or their will be cutbacks?
Residents approved an emergency operating levy in 2005, and statistics show parents have started moving into the district at a greater rate. From 2005 to 2006, enrollment increased by 164 students, and school officials expect more increases in the coming years. Expect more students but we won’t fight a TIF that will steal any increase money from commercial property. We learned how to press parents with school bussing and rumors of split sessions.
The increases have forced the district to scramble for space to house students, school officials said Thursday. Southwest Licking has turned a teacher's lounge at the kindergarten center and a hallway at the high school into classrooms. In addition, the high school is so pressed for space that there is not enough room to add additional courses, Yocum said. "We're hurting," he said. My wallet is hurting already just thinking about it.
Enrollment increases also have forced the district's three elementary schools to scramble for space. Southwest Licking buses some students miles away from their home schools to lessen overcrowding. In fact, the three elementary schools are filling up so fast the district needs to find another strategy other than busing, Huber said. "We are approaching the limits of that strategy," he said.
Huber suggested the district consider building a new intermediate school, but he and his elected peers later decided to let Yocum's committee have some input on the selection. Gee wonder what they will come up with?
"I think we need to let the community come to us with some advice," school board member David Engel said. Keep it simple! How that for advice. Don't put in grand stairways and glass fronts. Build a damn pole barn; call it being in touch with our farming roots.
To that end, the committee will consist of parents, staff and two board members, among others. Yocum will select the members. I hope you find some NO people or at least some that will play devil's advocate.
No timetable was set Thursday for the selection, but Huber said the district needs to move fast if it wants to secure land for a future school. If the district does not get options on sites, property in the district will either get "gobbled up" or become too expensive, Yocum said. The property on 310 are going fast and if the school board don't move they won't be able to add School buses to the Wal-mart and Home-Depot traffic.
Originally published October 13, 2006 by By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter see article here
My opinions in red.
posted by Tough_Waters at 3:16 PM
2 Comments:
My involvement with the SWL Schools started in 1986 when our first son entered Kirkersville Elementary School. I have been active in Board issues since 1997 the year of the first DeRolph decision.
In reference to your post: David Engle, Board Member said “I think we need to let the community come to us with some advice," This is a very odd statement from one who doesn’t even invite people to e-mail him; has very little to say to anyone; and doesn’t interact much with the community. See: Board Member Info
The Board will take advice and so will the Superintendent. Nevertheless, they seem to discourage the community members from knowing what each other say. Community comments are heavily screened and processed. Even the questions at town meetings are screened before they are asked. It is all very controlled.
Scott Hayes and Don Huber are very good at replying to emails, answering phone calls, and talking with community members at meetings. They are the active part of the Board. The other three are very specific in their purpose on the Board.
Right now, I do not know if the District needs a new building. I am trying to get a spot on the committee. Generally, I have supported all requests for new construction. In the past, they have seemed well justified. But, I will play Devil’s Advocate.
I try to stay active in the community. See The Gravaman
My involvement with the SWL Schools started in 1986 when our first son entered Kirkersville Elementary School. I have been active in Board issues since 1997 the year of the first DeRolph decision.
In reference to your post: David Engle, Board Member said, “I think we need to let the community come to us with some advice." That is a very odd statement from one who doesn’t even invite people to e-mail him; has very little to say to anyone, and doesn’t interact much with the community. See: Board Member Info
The Board will take advice and so will the Superintendent. Nevertheless, they seem to discourage the community members from knowing what each other say, Comments are heavily screened and processed. Even the questions at town meetings are screened before they are asked. It is all very controlled.
Scott Hayes and Don Huber are very good at replying to email, phone calls, and talking with community members at meetings. They are the active part of the Board. The other three are very specific in their purpose on the Board.
Right now, I do not know if the District needs a new building. I am trying to get a spot on the committee. Generally, I have supported all requests for new construction. In the past, they have seemed well justified. But, I will play Devil’s Advocate.
I try to stay active in the community. See: The Gravaman
Post a Comment
<< Home