Washington parents say no to seventh and eighth grade move
Once again, Washington residents told the school board not to move seventh and eighth graders to the high school. The conversation came up at Washington's school board meeting Monday night.
The board will have a public hearing about the matter Monday at 7 p.m. at Washington Park School.
The following Monday, June 15, the board is expected to vote on the proposal during its business meeting.
The board will have a public hearing about the matter Monday at 7 p.m. at Washington Park School.
The following Monday, June 15, the board is expected to vote on the proposal during its business meeting.
Labels: Moving seventh and eighth graders to the high school
posted by Dawn Keller at
12:06 PM
15 Comments:
As a parent of children in Washington School District, I am still trying to figure out how our school district has 19 million dollars to spend on a renovation.
If I'm not mistaken, the school board is still in negotiations with the teachers' contract. So does the the district have money to give the teachers a raise after this big renovation?
I would hate to see another strike.
Looks like Washington School District is going to give more business to Howard Hanna and Century 21.
For the life of me I can't understand why our Superintendent insists on trying to make this school district broke!! We are losing families every day! We can not afford to lose any more. The idea of a school district is to make it more appealing for people to move INTO not out of the district. Apparently nobody has made our "leaders" aware of that fact! Next, are we going to push to do the renovations to the buildings knowing that we are going into teacher contract negotiations? Whose idea is it to blow that money on the buildings when you won't have quality teachers teaching. What difference does it make how our buildings look if they are empty?Wake up and do what's best for the students and the community.
We need more parents, community members, council members, and teachers to come and let the school board members and administration know that this community SAYS NO to the moving of the 7th and 8th graders. I think most people have no objections to upgrading the facilities.
I beg to differ. Most people oppose the upgrading to the tune of $20 million as well. Remember, this is an estimate...as a contractor I can tell you now to plan for a 20% overage after they start getting involved in the old building. Fix up the place where it needs fixed...nobody in their right mind is planning major construction projects during these tough economic times. Those who think this is okay are delusional, insane, iresponsible, or all three. Has any administrator in the district had business training or run a company responsible for making a profit or simply not spending more money than you take in. Most companies do not have the ability to tax to make up for mistakes or to "experiment" with other people's money. If I am not mistaken, the administrators in this district do not live and pay taxes here. Back off!
IT WOULD NOT BE BAD IF OUR STUDENTS ARE GETTING BETTER ELECTIVES AND COURSES. AT ONE TIME OUR SCHOOL HAD BAND IN 4TH GRADE. WHERE IS THAT NOW. WE HAVE IT IN 5TH GRADE AND NOW WE HAVE A Band TEACHER THAT WILL VISIT OUR SCHOOL. THE OTHER NIGHT WAS 8TH GRADE REC. THIS CAME WITH A DANCE. THIS YEAR THERE WAS NOT A DANCE BECAUSE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE STUDENTS THAT HAD UNDER 100 DEMERITS. WHAT KIND OF SYSTEM IS THAT. WE SHOULD BE REWARDING STUDENTS FOR DOING GOD INSTEAD OF PICKING ON THINGS LIKE SECONDS LATE FOR CLASS OR NOT HAVING A PENCIL. WHEN THIS MOVE TAKES PLACE THERE WILL DEFINATELY NOT BE ANY KIND OF REC BECAUSE THESE KIDS WON'T BE THE OLDEST. AND WHAT ABOUT OTHER SCHOOLS THAT HAVE LANGAUAGES AT A YOUNGER AGE. COULDN'T MONEY BE SPEND ON PREPARING OUR CHILDREN LIKE ALL THE REST. WE HAVE VERY SMART CHILDREN BUT WE DON'T EXCEL THEM TO THE POTENTIAL. IF THIS MOVE WOULD PROVE TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT, I WOULD SAY GO FOR IT BUT TO THIS POINT EVERYTHING SAYS THE THOUGHT IS IN THE FUTURE AFTER THEY GET USED TO THE TRANSITION.
THE BOARD WILLM NOT SHOW DATA OF WHAT THEY ARE BASING THIS ON OR THE ACADEMICS THEY KIDS WILL RECEIVE.
IT IS TIME TO SAY, STAND UP AND SHOW US THE DATA!
IMPROVE OUR SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FIRST AND IN THE PROCESS MAKES SOME RENOVATIONS!
Here is a question, if we have $20 million why are my taxes going up? That is nonsense! As far as renovating, use the money more wisely! There is no sense in spending it where it isn't needed. I can think of numerous places that the money would be spent better than renovating buildings for a senseless move. It doens't take much common sense to know, especially during these dreary economic times, that it is much better "sit on the cash" then to blow it. I guess if any of our administrators actually lived in the district that pays their salaries, maybe they would be more connected to the community. It is easy to spend money that isn't yours to begin with!! Those of you on the board, take a look around, you are just being controlled by the Chief Puppeteer. Stand up for your community, do the RIGHT thing for your school...
"I beg to differ. Most people oppose the upgrading to the tune of $20 million as well."
I WAS NOT SPEAKING ABOUT USING $20 MILLION TO UPGRADE THE SCHOOLS. I DEFINATELY THINK THE FACILITIES NEED TO BE UPGRADED, BUT NO TO THE TUNE OF $20 MILLION.
Does this mean that 7th and 8th graders will get to go to the prom if asked by a junior or senior?
Anon:
One can only hope! Growl!
its not that big of deal if the little kids go to high school. in my school they do and the older kids dont really see them enough to cause problems. they are treated differently and do not have the same privleges as the older kids because they are younger.
Living near rhe high school trust me you do not need your 7 & 8 grade kids listing to the foul mouth older kids going home. I have caught several kids sneeking away from high school to have their cigerettes in my driveway.Let them grow up slowly.
It is bad enough that school district has no discpline policy on the older kids ,,,fights have occur near my properity where the police have been called.
What is the reasoning for moving these students in the first place? Will this move remove busing and reduce costs or will the younger students continue to have public transportation, even at the high school location? This costly idea appears fruitless and unnecessary. Let's improve the content of education rather than bricks and morter - this is something the residents will support.
After attending the board meeting last night, in my opinion if the board goes forward with the renovations they are insane!! They were not given enough data to support the project. The architect that was there completely low balled the estimate! How could he even put a cost on the project without a scope of work? Are the taxpayers supposed to think that this is acceptable? I for one do not! Another issue I have is that our superintendent wants the board to support her on this decision. How can they make an informed decision without all of the facts. The presentation just gave us, in the superintendent's opinion, the pros of the project. Not once anywhere were there any cons discussed. When the Community tried to get answers, the school board president interrupted them and told them that there wasn't time for their concerns! How rude and pompus! What a slap in the face that is to the people who he is supposed to represent!! Amazingly enough the only parent who got to get answers to their questions was the only one in the crowd that supported the project. Coincidence?? Maybe? Like it was planned ahead of time.
The last thing I have to say is that the school board developed the Parent Advisory Committee to "bridge the gap" between the superintendent puppets we call our school board and the community!! Then they go out and talk to neighbors, relatives and friends and report back to the board, but they are treated as second class citizens! We need to clean house, starting with the superintendent and ending with the school board. Either that or have the superintendent and the business manager move into the school district to help shoulder the burden of wasteful spending and higher taxes!
Washington School District formed a Parent Advisory Committee to help out with issues such as the 7th & 8th grade moving to the high school. At one point during the meeting last night Dr. DiLorenzo asked if there were any questions. Mr. Interval, who is on the committee, attempted to asked a question but was rudely interruped by the school board president Mr. Stotka. Mr. Interval returned to his seat and never had the chance to ask his question. After another presentation, Dr. DiLorenzo again asked the community if there were any questions. Mr. Griffin, who is also on the committee, went to the podium and was told to return to his seat by Mr. Stotka. Both of these men attempted to get answers to important questions for the parents and the community. Mr. Stotka owes Mr. Interval and Mr. Griffin an apology for being so rude!!
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