Pat, first of
all, "everyone you talk to" does not represent anything close to what I've heard
as opinions in the community. Contrary to your belief, many in the
community support the move of administration to the high school and the
improvement of the media/library center because it is cost effective and
educationally sound. Last I knew, the district was in the business of
educating children not saving windows (which by the way need replacement because
they aren't energy efficient). Early on, some (maybe those you talk
to) have been convinced that the referendum would not pass if the concourse
windows were affected. The CSPE group was a leader in the opposition, but they
were not and are not the majority, nor do they represent the best interests
of students when they continue their tirade. That issue is done. Now
saying you want to help but won't because you or others are unhappy with
how that issue is being settled is worse than sour grapes,
it's pathetic. I believe that the community should
organize a "vote of no confidence" for the CSPE, a group that
knowingly spread misinformation to promote their own cause.
In June, School Board member, Natalie Siderius,
read the following statement at a Board meeting and the Post
printed it. Perhaps you haven't seen or read the information. Perhaps
you could do so now that it is readily accessible to
you. The citizens committee for the
referendum are trying to organize votes that help our students, teachers, and
this community for the long term. Get on board!
Statement by Natalie Siderius
Misinformation #1. A less costly alternative has been proposed to
relocate central administrative staff currently housed in the Lincoln Building.
Fact: No proposal, including the CSPEs East Wing Plan, has been shown to be
less costly than the Relocation Committee and Boards concourse plan. The
concourse plan relocates all Lincoln administrative staff at a construction cost
of approximately $446,482 or $44.24 per square foot. The CSPEs East Wing
proposal allegedly relocates half of the administrative personnel at half the
cost ($223,241). Relocating the other half of the staff would reasonably add
another $223,241 to the cost, and the additional loss of two High School
classrooms. By any honest accounting, the total cost for the East Wing proposal
is no less than that of the concourse plan and educational space is negatively
impacted. To take classroom space, the Board would be surrendering to larger
class sizes, fewer classes, fewer teachers and less rigor. Additionally,
previous estimates prepared for the High Schools East Wing indicated a cost of
$64.85 and $68.74 per square foot in two different versions of the plan,
substantially higher costs than the concourse plan.
Misinformation #2. The administrative relocation plan is too costly
and a glass palace. Fact: The School Districts plan is very cost effective at
$44.24 per square foot. As a comparison, the County is looking at a range of $70
to $125 per square foot for their costs of relocating offices from the Plaza
Building. These costs are roughly 1/3 to 3 times higher than the School
Districts plan.
Misinformation #3. The School District shouldnt have closed the
Lincoln Building. Fact: The District will more than recoup the costs of the move
through the sale of Lincoln and savings realized in capital, personnel and
operational costs. Sale of Lincoln $700,000; Savings from Lincolns short term
capital needs (roof, tuckpointing, boiler, etc.) $200,000+; Lincolns
Operational Cost Savings over 10 Years ($35,000/yr) $350,000; Move of
Buildings/Grounds to District Office Cost Savings over 10 years $400,000+ (over
$20,000/yr reduction in secretarial costs & operational savings of
$20,000/yr); Other Efficiencies in District Offices being centralized, to be
determined; Long Term Capital Needs to bring Lincoln Building to Code
$2,000,000; Total Long Term Savings $3,650,000+. Further, the school district
loses no state aid based on the per-pupil formula from the closure of the
Lincoln Building as it has from other building closures.
Misinformation #4. The Board has ignored public input on the
administrative staff relocation. Fact: The Board has been listening to public
comment regarding this relocation for over two years. The CSPE presented for 35
minutes at the Boards May 19 th meeting. Some commentary has been respectful
and helpful and some has been less so, but all of it has reinforced the Boards
view that most peoples concerns are addressed by the Relocation Committees
concourse plan. In addition, the Board is appointing three committees/teams to
further address the administrative relocation, library and long term remodeling
needs at the High School. Each of these committees/teams will include a Board
member, community members, teachers, staff, parents and students; a very
representative mix of people able to resolve the issues at hand. Further, Board
Chair Laber invited the CSPE group to choose representatives and participate in
the Boards committees/teams. The CSPE rejected this offer and chose to run
their own process.
Misinformation #5. The updated library/media center under the
concourse plan is unnecessary and would not be staffed anyway. Fact: Student
performance is enhanced when up-to-date books and instructional technology are
accessible. The library/media center will be staffed. The library/media center
is not currently used by students or teachers out of past neglect (average
copyright date of 1971 and less than 1000 books checked out in a school year
compared with over 25,000 checked out at the Middle School). Remodeling the
library/media center so it is on one floor enables one person to staff the
entire library/media center rather than the two-person staff currently needed.
The staff savings in the operational budget would equal the total cost of the
project ($700,000) in less than ten years.
Misinformation #6. Capital spending can be used for operational
expenses. Fact: Under current law, this is not possible. The law could of course
be changed by the state legislature. The school board has not asked for such a
fund transfer due to a strong local demand for capital improvements.
Misinformation #7. The School Board is proposing painful cuts to scare
voters into supporting a future referendum. Fact: The Board has no choice but to
vote for cuts necessary to keep the district from statutory operating debt. If
the $3 million in cuts were not passed by the Board, the district would not
legally be able to negotiate contracts for its employees.
Misinformation #8. Closing elementary schools is the answer to the
budget shortfall. Fact: This has been tried, and has consistently failed to
produce anything but net losses in revenue for the district because state aid is
based on a per-pupil formula and many families simply choose charter or private
education for their children, which produces further reductions in the
districts state funding. Additionally, after almost 20 years of debate on
closing schools and deep division in the community, the Board has chosen to take
a different tack to fully utilize our buildings through partnership
opportunities that enhance educational value, provide revenue to the district or
both.
Misinformation #9. The School Board is draining the capital fund.
Fact: The Board will have approximately $830,000 dollars in the capital fund to
be used on other capital needs even though we are funding the new library/media
center and the Lincoln Relocation. These funds are the districts annual capital
allocation from the State and will be allocated to building projects, energy
projects, textbooks and technology throughout the district. Further, the School
Board has authorized a facilities study for the high school and all elementary
buildings. This allows the Board to prepare a plan to address all of the
deferred maintenance in the district.
Misinformation #10. There is lots of empty space in the elementary
buildings. Fact: Most space is now being utilized through moving of Lincoln
programs and new partnerships. ECFE and ECSE programs will now be housed at
Goodview. Central School is now the site for Key Kids. Jefferson Schools
basement is being leased and remodeled by the Hiawatha Valley Education District
to house an elementary at-risk program. Future partnerships for other buildings
are being pursued. Programmatic facility changes which enhance education are
also being considered such as moving libraries from hallways and closets, moving
music rooms from basements, etc. The elementary facility review currently being
completed will help the district determine best programmatic space usage. The
Superintendent and Board are working hard to ensure that all of the districts
space is used efficiently.
Misinformation #11. The Board is not fiscally responsible. Fact: This
Board, Superintendent and administrative team have saved this district millions
of dollars and was recently awarded the State Department of Educations
Comprehensive School Finance Award, its highest fiscal award. Savings or
Enhanced Revenues: bond refinance $1,700,000; two tier busing system
$650,000/yr; energy program $33,000/ every 4 months; one day bond issue
$392,000; copier contract consolidation $15,000/yr; central printing re-vamp
$65,000/yr; SE Tech partnership on WMS fields $85,000; HVED partnership
$12,000/yr.+ $40,000 building improvements; Food Service Charge Back $67,000/yr;
Closure of Maintenance Building $20,000/yr + $30,000/yr potential revenue;
Business Office Staff absorbed student activity accounting, internal audit
preparation, operational efficiencies $62,000/yr.; other partnerships, cost
savings and revenue enhancements.
It is time for the community to allow this Board to work through the
unresolved issues surrounding the Lincoln Relocation through the process and
committees/teams it has put in place. I have complete faith that satisfactory
resolution will be achieved.
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