By Monica Springer
springer@emporiagazette.com
The five proposals to reconfigure students in kindergarten through eighth grade boil down to two options for the Emporia school board: To keep the Lowther buildings or to not keep them.
The way kindergarten through eighth grade classes are configured in buildings was a topic that Theresa Davidson, interim superintendent, and Nancy Horst, director of community relations, discussed on Monday afternoon in a meeting with members of the media.
The Emporia USD 253 Board of Education decided last week to consider five possibilities for the way grades are grouped in USD 253 buildings. One possibility is that the grade configurations will be kept the same.
Other options include having both Lowther buildings house both fifth and sixth grade; have the Lowther buildings alternate between fifth and sixth grade centers; move fifth grade back to K-4 buildings, close Lowther South, add on to middle school and close Lowther North; or move fifth grade back to elementary buildings, close Lowther South and keep sixth grade at Lowther North.
Davidson said if an addition is built on to Emporia Middle School the school district would try to fund the project and try to avoid having a bond election and raising taxes.
Davidson said the school district currently has $1.7 million in stimulus money that is currently slated to replace windows at the Lowther buildings. Should the board decide to sell the buildings, that $1.7 million could be used for materials for an addition at the middle school, such as new windows, fixtures, lighting and plumbing.
Davidson said even if the configurations are kept the same, there is still going to be some cost involved. The Lowther buildings are the oldest buildings in the school district and need repairs, Davidson said. The $1.7 million that is currently scheduled to go into the Lowther buildings for new windows has to be spent in the next two years or the district will lose those funds, Davidson said.
No decision has been made, Davidson said. The configuration committee is studying which scenario to recommend to the board, and the board will decide how to configure grades at a future meeting.
For more on this story, see Tuesday's edition of The Emporia Gazette.
snow (anonymous) says...
Ah! Stimulus funds driving the decisions of your local school administration. Just as The Founders would have wanted it.
Can't we use the money to buy windows, then sell the windows and pay the teachers?
November 1, 2010 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiahelper (anonymous) says...
This is probably the most stupid idea I have heard from the board. Stop making bogus reasons and just go on with the new windows. It would be extremely dumb to close either of those schools. Fifth graders have no business being in with the older crowd. Keep the situation the same.
November 1, 2010 at 10:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mac_vb (anonymous) says...
Apparently you haven't read the suggestions -- fifth graders would return to the elementary schools... duh. The current situation gives too many transitions at critical period. Emporia kids deserve better!
November 2, 2010 at 6:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Do you remember in one of the first articles on this story, the board said there were no plans for any new buildings? Now the super is talking an addition on the middle school and "trying" to avoid any bond issue.
Taxpayers, you had better start calling or emailing your board members and put you foot down. NO NEW BONDS !
School board, MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.
November 2, 2010 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
First of all, 1.7 million for windows????? WTF? Second, I'm getting sick of these idiots with their big ideas about spending our money. Those schools are old. So what? So are a lot of the buildings on Ivy league school campuses and they still tend to manage to educate students there. The age of the building has squat to do with it. Quit thinking of new ways to blow money and do your damn jobs.
That is to educate our children in case you've forgotten!
November 2, 2010 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Those buildings are better left as schools the way they are. Use the stimulus to replace windows and be done with it. Besides that, who is going to buy those old buildings?
It sure sounds to me like they're leaning toward building on to the middle school and using those stimulus funds there. Uh huh.
And this really bothers me ---"the school district would TRY to fund the project and TRY to avoid having a bond election and raising taxes." Yeah, sure. Who are they kidding? We can't afford any more new taxes.
Here is further information. http://www.usd253.org/home/inside-usd...
By the way, the school board is accepting public comments on November 10. We need to e-mail them now.
November 2, 2010 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Here are the board members and how to contact them from the USD 253 website. Please be civil.
http://www.usd253.org/home/board-of-e...
November 2, 2010 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Stimulus funds were meant to provide employment for the areas that requested and received them. New windows on the old buildings will do exactly that. When I e-mail board members, I plan to ask that they employ local contractors.
November 2, 2010 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Holy Cow ! Was my post pulled for some reason ?
November 2, 2010 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Anytime the school district decides anything it leans towards building something new. Since at least one of their options includes the continued use of Lowther South that tells me the building is not beyond repair. I say keep using those two building and forgo building any thing new in this hard economic time.
Besides, just who do you suppose would be interested in buying either or both of those buildings......and at what cost and for what purpose. That is just a smoke screen being put out to justify closing the buildings down. The reality is they would then set there empty into foreseeable future at which time the taxpayers would get stuck with removing them. Leave things alone for once.
November 2, 2010 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
genxer...
I agree. What does being old have to do with anything. Hell, there are people in Europe that are living in the same house their family has lived in since before America was a country, and some of those homes are thought of as national treasures.
Lowther North and South are kinda like ole biscuitboy....old but not dead yet.
methusla
Are you sure you remembered to post it. I have done that several times then when I go back later I wonder where my post went.....because I forgot to hit post comment. I have no idea about yours....Just a possibility.
November 2, 2010 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I e-mailed all the board members this morning. It took awhile because I wrote to each member separately and didn't just do a mass mailing. I hate receiving those.
Basically I urged them to leave the Lowther buildings as is and to replace the windows using local contractors so that local people could be employed. I also said that now is not the time for new property taxes.
I urge you all to e-mail them too.
November 2, 2010 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orlando (anonymous) says...
Why the move to reconfigure? When Timmerman and Riverside were built, wasn't it because of the increasing enrollment figures? Did that happen? Wasn't that why 5th grades were moved to Lowther from the elementary schools?
Have any decisions been made with forethought about the effect of "transitions" on the students?
Have any "green" ideas come up to deal with the window issues at Lowther buildings? Perhaps some input should be gotten from Bill Hanlon at FHTC, perhaps for less $ than the 1.7 million $.
Is someone interested in purchasing the buildings? The Teachers Hall of Fame is still for sale. How long would these buildings sit and deteriorate if they were empty?
Just some rambling thoughts......
November 2, 2010 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmadog (anonymous) says...
Good idea, Create. I just emailed all board members. I told them that they are not in the business of historic preservation and to get rid of those old inefficient buildings that are costing me, the taxpayer, too much money in heating and cooling and repair. I told them to build a "green" addition to the middle school and bring our kids into the 21st century. I told them to please moth ball those old buildings until a new use can be found. I thanked them for moving those 5th graders back into the neighborhood schools so that they can walk their little brothers and sisters to school and be good role models in their neighborhoods. I also commended them on being on-the-ball and looking for ways to use the 1.7 million and encouraged them to use local contractors and labor on that new addition to the middle school.
November 2, 2010 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks, karmadog. Even though our ideas are not exactly the same, I'm glad you e-mailed board members. Nice job!
November 2, 2010 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
I am sure the Lowther buildings need some work on them as they are old buildings. But I say, let's repair the Lowther buildings, keep the grade configurations as they are currently. No need to "add on" to the middle school. We do not need any more new taxes added to our already strained budgets. Fix the windows and start teaching our kids.
November 2, 2010 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Another thing we need to consider, and something I did not think about, is the heating bills for those old buildings. They are sky high.
Will the new windows fix that? I do know that I put new windows in my c1892 Victorian house this past summer. Almost immediately, I noticed a difference in my a/c bills. Since it has turned cold, I have had the furnace on and it has not cut on as often as it has in the past.
November 2, 2010 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
mcrouch@fhtc.edu
November 2, 2010 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
SORRY PEOPLE, just use creates link above.
November 2, 2010 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wildcatnurse (anonymous) says...
I don't live in 253, but in the work-related visits I have made to the Lowther buildings, one thing stuck out.....The height of the ceilings. Replace the windows and put in drop ceilings. Yes, you will lose the "charm", but utilities will drop dramatically.
WORK WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT. There is no reason to add on to EMS. To even bring it up, is a slap to the tax payers of 253.
November 2, 2010 at 7:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
ditto, wildcatnurse.
November 3, 2010 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I third the motion wildcat and Steve.
November 3, 2010 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Just listened to talk of Emporia about this.
While we,(USD253) are not a plaintiff in the just filed lawsuit, we are a member of the group that filed it. Huummmmmm.
What is the board thinking?
Can they go 1 year without doing something to spend more money?
it may be time for some 62 year olds on social security to run for the school board and set things right.
Money for educating the kids, not fancy things !
Why not do away completely with school buildings. It would be cheaper to give every student a laptop and have their classes at home.
Oh wait, that would mean no taxpayer funded day care for working parents.
November 3, 2010 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I actually like that idea Steve. Then the students that really wanted to learn and had something to learn with could get all the education they wanted....and we wouldn't have to waste money educating a bunch of kids that aren't going to ever do any thing but manual labor anyway.
It's obvious by reading these boards that many that went through 12 years of school didn't really learn much to start with.
November 3, 2010 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Your idea is not as far off as you might think, Steve. You're also right on the taxpayer funded day care. Every summer, you hear people wail, "what are we gonna do about the kids all summer?"
In Australia, for many years, kids in the far distant areas of that country are educated via computer. Before then, they were educated via a daily broadcast on closed circuit TV. It has always worked for them.
My granddaughter in Chicago takes advanced language and math classes via computer. Her school gives kids the opportunity to do this and it is working very well for her. She is disciplined to do the work, but that says a lot about her parents too. They don't let her run wild.
Considering the many behavior problems teachers face in the classroom setting today, how long do you think this computer laptop program would work?
November 3, 2010 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AverageCitizen2 (anonymous) says...
Steve,
When I was in school (I graduated high school in 1991) I was always told that part of going to school was getting us (the students) prepared for the schedule of a regular work day.
Do you really think that school is just daycare?
I realize that our schools are spending $ on frivolous, unnecessary items and they aren't doing that great of job at educating our kids.
But, really? You think the solution is home schooling?
Were you home schooled?
November 3, 2010 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
create
For the ones it doesn't work for let them go. As long as we molly-coddle them they just cost us more money and still don't learn anything anyway.
After a few years in the real world without a good education some will be willing to pay to get back to school. The rest that are happy where they are.....good for em....leave them there working at McDucks drive up or digging ditches. We need people to do those type jobs anyway.
November 3, 2010 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AverageCitizen2 (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy,
All students are not high school students that can readily go into the work force. Who in their right mind wants to hire my 5-year-old and teach him a trade?
The only kids that get any recognition are the bad ones. So, because of the bad kids, let's shut down the schools completely. Give 'em a laptop and tell them good luck.
That is ridiculous. What exactly is that going to solve? Your tax burden? Trust me...with a plan like that, it will increase in other areas.
November 3, 2010 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
AverageCitizen2
Obviously you haven't followed these threads very long or you would know that I took a lot of heat for my support of a tax increase to fund the shortfall of education funding awhile back. In fact on any given day I get called a tax and spend liberal with regularity. A quick reading of post made just today on other threads will quickly reveal just what a darling I am not to the conservative no taxes crowd.
I would think it would go without saying that I was not suggesting we send 5-year old's off to dig ditches. Unequal and unfair treatment of labor is another area that results in my being considered (whether it be deserved or not) the resident mad-dog liberal around here. If you are talking about a person that supports education I am one of the best friends you have.
It seemed obvious to me that I was referring to high school education. If that was not obvious I apologize. But we do waste a lot of time at the high school level coxing a lot of students through four years where they do not have any desire to be there and are learning nothing. And I do believe that is a waste of time and money.
I guess this is just my day to be damned from all quarters. So go ahead....I'm used to it....and I can stick up for myself whether any one else chooses to or not.
November 3, 2010 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AverageCitizen2 (anonymous) says...
The people on this forum whose children are grown and out of the house call school a "taxpayer funded daycare". I guarantee that each and every one of you were suckling the "taxpayer funded daycare" teat when your kids were young and attending public schools. Stop the hypocrisy.
November 3, 2010 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
AverageCitizen2
I am sorry I forgot the smiley face at the end of my earlier post. I was referring to those parents who cannot be bothered by the task of raising their kids, so they ship them off to school for the teachers to do it. Oh and while they are there can you feed them breakfast, lunch and dinner? it was not a put down of the schools or teachers.
But to the main point of the story, if the school board is truly looking toward the future needs of students shouldn't on-line classes for high school students be part of that plan?
Wouldn't that play a part in cutting down the costs of physical classroom space?
But I still think the board needs to stop unnecessary spending for a year or two, and this plan seems to be unnecessary at this time.
November 3, 2010 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I never had children so I never sucked from the teat at all except when I received my own education....but I have paid taxes to support education all my life. I did so willing because I believe our next generation of educated children is the most valuable resource we have. That doesn't mean however that I believe we should spoon feed it to the ones who have either insufficient motivation or insufficient brain-power to gain anything from it.
That's just throwing money away that could be better spent improving what we offer to the ones that really want it, and are willing to work for it. The danger we must of course avoid is the attitude that white children are the only ones that deserve it. That has happened in the past and should never happen again.
November 3, 2010 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Also, I was not home schooled, went to EHS and barely graduated. i think they passed me just to get rid of me. And my kids went to school here. Walked to school or when old enough drove themselves. we paid for their own lunches. The teachers had them for a few hours a day to teach them, not raise them. And it didn't bother us in the least to pay for their education, it still doesn't bother us to pay to support education now either. It's all the fancy extras that are beginning to grind me down.
Sorry I struck a nerve with my comment.
November 3, 2010 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Perhaps we should return to the military draft. That little stint in the Army or other branch contributes a good deal to a kid's maturity, especially those fresh out of high school. This goes for girls too. And no one should be exempt except the infirm. And those who are stoned on drugs? Nothing like boot camp to withdraw.
Now, let the screaming begin.
November 3, 2010 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Actually a great idea. If your idea were law Matt wouldn't be headed for Afghanistan right now. And our countries budget and unemployment problems wouldn't be as bad.
November 3, 2010 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I agree totally....
I was at the very best a mediocre C- high school student. The very kind I am now saying should put out on their own. I spent six years in the Navy and about four more working my butt off when I finally decided education was worth something. I then went to college and hit my stride. Still look back at those four years as the best part of my life. And I was married and working as I went to school. I wasn't living in the frat house partying my education away.
November 3, 2010 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Old facilities cost a fortune to heat. New windows help some but installing them would expose lead paint and uncover new problems that would have to be mitigated. Asbestos was used in nearly all building materials when those building were erected. Mold and radon is another problem that would require attention as a building of that era is sealed in glass. Modern building codes are quite specific when it comes to things like the maximum distance between electrical outlets. Any renovation would be required to bring everything up to code. Unfortunately, it is less expensive to demolish these structures and construct new that it is to renovate them.
We could save a small fortune by unplugging all the vending machines located throughout these school buildings. Teachers personal refrigerators are probably costing taxpayers 1k per month in electricity at a minimum. Unplugging unused equipment would help some too. jmo
November 3, 2010 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
STOP, RIGHT NOW.
To use the lead paint and asbestos issue in this discussion is nothing more than fear mongering. it makes NO DIFFERENCE . These older buidings have it. The school board owns it. It doesn't matter if the buildings are torn down, remodeled or sold, (fat chance), usd 253 is responsible for taking care of it. So please, don't use this as an excuse.
November 3, 2010 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I seem to remember a few months ago talking about asbestos and mold in Emporia school buildings and being threatened with a lawsuit, and challenged on my assertions.
What do you have to say now guys?
November 3, 2010 at 9:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
I say usd253 you might have just seen your last bond isue passed .The BOARD OFFICE is like a giant empty sucking sound , saying feed me , feeds me I need more tax payer money to spend on B. S......In no way do I imply that teachers are overpayed, only that the board office is a terrible steward of tax $$$
November 3, 2010 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Steve, I was just trying to explain that renovating a commercial or publicly owned structure is much more complex than a homeowner remodeling their own home. I wasn't trying to scare people. Sorry.
November 3, 2010 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )