BISD has presented two options. A third alternative was presented at last week's meeting by members of the community (see previous blog posts to read news stories on the subject). A packet was distributed to all board members and we have heard that it is on the agenda for Thursday's meeting.
The options are:
1. To begin construction on-site while school is in session. Portable buildings will be built behind the school while the current building is demolished and rebuilt.
2. Wait until Regina-Howell is completed and then move the Curtis students into the portable buildings on Major Drive. This option would delay the project until Summer 2012.
The alternative:
Put portable buildings at the new YMCA facility on Dishman Road while construction goes on at the current Sallie Curtis location. This option would allow Curtis to be completed on time without children being exposed to nearby construction.
This is an excerpt from the YMCA's President and CEO in a letter to Carrol Thomas: "It is our belief that the YMCA will provide a great environment for all and will offer many amenities that are not currently available at your temporary campus on Major Drive. .. If you choose to utilize our property, the YMCA will be willing to work with the school district on a swimming program for your students, we will also be allowed usage of our playground and of our community room for meetings, fairs or other school events."
What do you think? Option 1, Option 2 or Alternative #3? Talk it out here!
We want to hear from 100% of the parents if possible! Please let us know what you think and what you would vote for by emailing CurtisVotes@yahoo.com.
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I would like to see the board look into the YMCA location. I feel like they have already made up their mind and then they went and asked for feedback they didn't really want to listen to. This is very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteMeigan Merrell,mother of a 3rd grader at Curtis and a 3 year old soon to attend Curtis. I have a 6th grader at Marshall. I also attended Curtis as a child.
I am confused. How can individuals point fingers and say the board is not listening. The BISD board came to our school, shared with us the options they felt were in our best interest and asked for further input from our SC community. We are then asked to get back to them by the 17th of this month with our thoughts and concerns. From what I can see we have not given them the opportunity to respond yet. Let us stop pointing fingers and put a good proposal together IF that is what our SC community really wants (Whatever that may be). Let's stay focused on the goal...What is best for our children?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the big rush? Is the school falling apart? People just want to have something new as soon as possible when the current location is sufficing just fine and it wont hurt anyone to wait until a safe environment is available. I would not want to have my child around all the construction men/crews (which Im sure some will be illegal and who knows probably a few convicts/child predators), trucks, diesels, fumes, etc. A construction site is no place for a few hundred children on a daily basis, then add afternoon pickup mahem into the situation - so the YMCA location seems best fit if things just have to be done NOW.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the Board told us they would start on the school in January of 2010 yet they are pushing it back. So is it ok for us just to go along with them when they push it back? The athletic complex sure is moving along just fine isn't it? And did anyone notice a few months back that the Board was trying to push through 'enhancements' to the athletic complex (I believe they wanted to build an auditorium but I'd have to go back and check to make sure of that). Fortunately some of the local bond watch groups got hold of that information and put a stop to it...at least for now.
ReplyDeleteSecond, and most importantly, what is the risk of building now vs waiting? None. We get a new school, we get it sooner, and most impotantly we won't be last on the list. Do I want the school now so my child can use it? Absolutely! That's one of the main reasons I voted for the bond. However, I'd also like to make sure the school is there for others to enjoy. Now, what is the risk of waiting? Isn't it possible that if we are last on the list that funds won't be available to build? Isn't it possible that they could fall behind schedule and it could be 3+ years before they build? Isn't it possible that they could end up extending the project too long and then would have to extend the Parsons and 3DI contracts? They can say that the money will be there until they are blue in the face but NOBODY can guarantee that. Conversely, nobody can guarantee that it won't.
Third, most anyone that has dealt with this board will tell you that it would be a mistake to allow them to put off the new Curtis until later.
Anyway, I've heard most of the pros and cons of building now. However, nobody seems to be able to come up with any legitimate pros for waiting. About the only one is "I don't want my kids to have to go to school at a construction site". Now, do I WANT my kids to have to do that? NO. Do I think its worth the TEMPORARY inconvenience in order to make sure the school is built and that it is built as quickly as possible? Absolutely!!!
To me, the best option is the YMCA, second would be the portables at Curtis, the riskiest (and least desirable) would be waiting. The other thing all of the naysayers/let's wait crowd should remember is that all of the options will be inconvenient. And all of the hassles will be TEMPORARY!!
So I say DO NOT WAIT!!! BUILD CURTIS NOW AS PROMISED IN THE BOND!!! THAT IS WHAT I VOTED FOR AND THAT IS WHAT OUR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY DESERVE!
K. Moff
ReplyDeleteI agree we need to get the school built and not delay any longer. I too, voted for the bond so my children will have an opportunity to benefit. I feel the board is going thru the motions as if they are listening to the parents. I am concerned that while we are so close to the school being built the discussion and issue has just recently arisen as to where our children will attend. This board needs to be deligent in the decision making process and recall what they presented to those who voted in favor for the bond. This is such a huge undertaking building all the new schools, but with such a large district with many involved it is baffling that this decision was not decided on long before now. I am hoping that the board will opt for the YMCA location. This sounds most fit and the YMCA appears to be very accomodating and open to having our kids located on their grounds. I strongly feel the board had ample time to implement in their planning phase a "solution" for our children since the time the bond was voted in. Better planning would result in less finger pointing.
What is best for our children is to keep them safe and provide the best we can for their education. From what I have read, the YMCA is very willing to work with BISD to help our children to have a fun, safe, temporary campus. The added bounus is that we could possibly use the Y's playground and maybe even get a swimming program the whole school district can use.
ReplyDeleteIf we wait to take up residence in the temp orary campus on Major Drive, I am very concerned that there would not be enough money. BISD assures us there will be, but the price of things change from year to year. I am also worried about the fact that this is now a huge issue when construction is to begin shortly. This should have been decided and finalized months ago.
Besides, if we wait my son may not even get to be in the new Curtis School. He and all his classmates deserve not only the best possible education, but the also deserve a safe environment in which to learn. Don't wait, take the YMCA up on their offer. BISD and Teh Y will both benefit from it and our community will too!!