School construction

[Tom Benjey]

This a question for all candidates for the school board.

If I understood Dr. Sanker correctly the current high school expansion is curriculum driven and is not intended to support a larger school population. Given the large amount of residential development underway or proposed (approximately 1600 units at last count), will additional school construction be required?

[Eileen]

Tom,

Obviously, I'm not running for school board, but you've touched on something that has been one of my concerns all along. We're about to spend nearly $13 million on renovation based on the projection that the district won't grow. The school population has been relatively stable for years despite the growth that's taken place. However, I just can't see that continuing.

My concerns are:

1. Are we going to spend all this money (some of which, I believe, is unnecessary) for a renovation only to need a new school in a few years?
2. What if Rendell et al. force through the "subsidized daycare for all" plan? How much is a primary center going to cost? Will we need additional real estate?

These are questions that have been buried as the school board searched for the brass ring in the high school renovation, and I'm not sure they've been answered adequately by either the school board or administration. We're already looking at more than a 28% tax increase over the next 4 years. How many of our long-term residents will be taxed out of their homes before this is all over? How many new residents will be turned off by the tax assesments in the township and decide to settle elsewhere? What are we really looking at, and can we afford it? It seems to me that a lot of students learn just fine with less than the best facilities money can buy. Shouldn't we be putting our tax dollars into the part of the educational program that will really make a difference?

P.S. Don't forget that the school districts are picking up an increasing tab for the retirement plan. . .and the debt service, which was already high, is gonna go through the roof with this school renovation.

[Mike Berk]

Tom -

The question of whether we will grow will be debated by different folks. Personally, with all the development planned, I can't see how we can avoid growing. My concern is whether we are prepared to address the issue of growth, if and when it happens.

With number of new housing units planned, the school board needs to develop a Facilities Strategic Plan that addresses possible growth in our school district.

This plan can be separate or a part of the strategic plan the district is required to develop for the Department of Education.

Such a plan could include the following:

• Population studies from at least three different sources. The Department of Education will differ in its projection formula from other sources such as the Pennsylvania Economy League. I think we should have data from different sources to analyze not just the one source that gives us the answer we desire.
  
  
• Scenarios/options should be developed that give the Board choices depending on which age groups experience the population growth. The options should include the possiblilties for new construction, additions to existing buildings, temporary construction, and possible changes in grade allignments.
  
  
• The plan should also include a list of potential tracts of land that are on the market that might be possible locations for future schools. This list can be updated periodically as tracts are sold or newly listed on the market.
  

The reason for developing a Facilities Strategic Plan is to prepare the Board for any change in the student-age population. The plan gives us a foundation for planning.

The issue of new construction, modular classrooms, renovations etc. can be a an emotional issue for a community as evidenced by the debate over in the late 90s regarding where we should build the middle school. Therefore, as the facilities strategic plan is developed, the community should be kept informed of its progress.

Hope this answers your question...and then some.

Mike


PS - I thought this quote was appropriate:

[glow=red,2,300]Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. - Alexander Graham Bell[/glow]