Frontier Campus

[macrockett]

Word is that Frontier Campus will be closing in 2010-2011.

Some PTA members seem to have this information rather than there being a general announcement to the public by the Board and the Administration.

I haven't confirmed this information at this point, but if true, it should be no surprise given the hemorrhaging in our budget.

Imo, this will represent just one of a number of steps that will be taken to offset the cost and impact of building MVHS.

Eventually the freshman campus at NVHS will probably go, as many have speculated, creating 3 3000 seat high schools; this, in spite of the fact that just under 50% of our kids live south of 87th street and approximate 70% of our kids are south and east of route 34.

More importantly, as I and others have laid out ad nauseam (my apologies to those who are intolerant of making an important point over and over as events and repercussions continue to unfold) all this for a school we did not, nor will not need.

If it holds true that Frontier, and then NVHS gold campus, are closed we will have reduced capacity by 1200 WVHS gold, 1200 NVHS gold, and 600 Frontier, for a total of 3000 seats.

In the process, we will have traded two $20 million schools ($40 million total) and the leasing cash flow cost of Frontier for a $150 million school, increasing capacity at the MS level in excess of what was actually need. As I have stated, I believe we spend approximately $100 million more than was necessary.

In addition, we will have shifted capacity from an area where the majority of the kids are to an area where approximately 17% of the kids reside. Also, in the process, we created an unnecessary and difficult dislocation for many kids.

Finally, all this having been done without the necessary due diligence upfront to properly assess what our capacity needs were and how to satisfy those needs.

Neither our State nor the Federal government could have done a better job!

What is the lesson I have learned? Get involved, hold our elected officials accountable. For those who don't think they have the time I have one message: be prepared to pay.

When I find out more I will pass it along.

[casey]

I'm not surprised as we all knew this was coming. If, in fact, it is closing 2010-2011, I AM surprised. They have been holding meetings for Frontier information night (in fact, there's one tonight) they hand out flyers and info about it. Now if they plan to pull the rug after these kids sign up and make schedules, then that's really BS. I do think they are looking for a way to move the concept into the main campuses but IMO that takes away what the whole thing really is. I doubt my junior will be going to Frontier next year but I think the campus has much merit and I'd hate to see it discontinued. It serves an important function for many.

As you have pointed out though, they must create the need for that third high school and having a freshman campus at NV as well as the Frontier campus will take too many of those kids out of the 3 high schools. They have to try to justify the need for the 3 high schools (you know the doom and gloom and high numbers we will have ). This is a shell game. We'll just move the kids around.

However if the SB was really thinking logically they'd be moving more kids into MV and WV and out of Neuqua. How does MV sit at 638 (class of 2013) and 585 (class of 2012)? Continue that trend and it puts Metea at roughly 2600 kids (in fall of 2011. first year HS will be all 4 classes). Waubonsie's 675 (class of 2013) and 649 (class of 2012) = 2600 (fall of 2011). Neuqua 1034 (class of 2013) and 1041 (class of 2012) = 4100 kids (fall of 2011 with a freshman campus though). I think the freshman campus will close as will Frontier and then Neuqua will continue to be overcrowded while Metea sits relatively vacant. Boundary changes have to be coming again soon (either that or Waubonsie will close).

It'll be just my luck my last child will start at Waubonsie and love it then will have to leave when the school closes and go back to a severely overcrowded Neuqua. I would tell anyone looking in 204 to run for the hills. Our district is a mess and it's going to get worse.

If I lived in Tamarack/West or any other sub west of 59, I'd be preparing for a future boundary change. In addition, I'd think Springbrook or Stillwater would be in consideration to a move to Waubonsie. More kids have to come out of Waubonsie and move to Metea, as well as kids coming out of Neuqua and moving to Waubonsie. Both schools need to have the enrollment increased if three schools is really the long-term plan.

IF (and that's a big IF) they don't close Waubonsie (3-5 years), I think there has to be more shuffling of students. It will be fun to see how many of those complaining of the severe overcrowding at Neuqua will decide it's not so overcrowded when their neighborhood is the one on the block for a boundary switch. I hope that I'm here for that one!

Oh, and for what it's worth, my sophomore's class is now 649 at Waubonsie vs. 1041 at Neuqua (I guess it's now 645 vs. 1045 now that those new exceptions were granted for the kids moving back to NV this week ).

[refbasics]

Jan 20, 2010 11:34:32 GMT -6 casey said:

I'm not surprised as we all knew this was coming. If, in fact, it is closing 2010-2011, I AM surprised. They have been holding meetings for Frontier information night (in fact, there's one tonight) they hand out flyers and info about it. Now if they plan to pull the rug after these kids sign up and make schedules, then that's really BS. I do think they are looking for a way to move the concept into the main campuses but IMO that takes away what the whole thing really is. I doubt my junior will be going to Frontier next year but I think the campus has much merit and I'd hate to see it discontinued. It serves an important function for many.

As you have pointed out though, they must create the need for that third high school and having a freshman campus at NV as well as the Frontier campus will take too many of those kids out of the 3 high schools. They have to try to justify the need for the 3 high schools (you know the doom and gloom and high numbers we will have ). This is a shell game. We'll just move the kids around.

However if the SB was really thinking logically they'd be moving more kids into MV and WV and out of Neuqua. How does MV sit at 638 (class of 2013) and 585 (class of 2012)? Continue that trend and it puts Metea at roughly 2600 kids (in fall of 2011. first year HS will be all 4 classes). Waubonsie's 675 (class of 2013) and 649 (class of 2012) = 2600 (fall of 2011). Neuqua 1034 (class of 2013) and 1041 (class of 2012) = 4100 kids (fall of 2011 with a freshman campus though). I think the freshman campus will close as will Frontier and then Neuqua will continue to be overcrowded while Metea sits relatively vacant. Boundary changes have to be coming again soon (either that or Waubonsie will close).

It'll be just my luck my last child will start at Waubonsie and love it then will have to leave when the school closes and go back to a severely overcrowded Neuqua. I would tell anyone looking in 204 to run for the hills. Our district is a mess and it's going to get worse.

If I lived in Tamarack/West or any other sub west of 59, I'd be preparing for a future boundary change. In addition, I'd think Springbrook or Stillwater would be in consideration to a move to Waubonsie. More kids have to come out of Waubonsie and move to Metea, as well as kids coming out of Neuqua and moving to Waubonsie. Both schools need to have the enrollment increased if three schools is really the long-term plan.

IF (and that's a big IF) they don't close Waubonsie (3-5 years), I think there has to be more shuffling of students. It will be fun to see how many of those complaining of the severe overcrowding at Neuqua will decide it's not so overcrowded when their neighborhood is the one on the block for a boundary switch. I hope that I'm here for that one!

Oh, and for what it's worth, my sophomore's class is now 649 at Waubonsie vs. 1041 at Neuqua (I guess it's now 645 vs. 1045 now that those new exceptions were granted for the kids moving back to NV this week ).

---------------------
www.tcdupage.org/abouttcd.html#6

and just to add an additional piece of info.... how does the technology college of du page impact our student count in the schools... will more kids be interested in taking advantage of more technical jobs/opportunities.. and are the architectural, engineering classes a good thing to take advantage of for a student who is thinking of pursuing these careers in college?? i don't know since i have a 7th grader right now.. and am not up on this.. and don't know anyone going to the tc of du page.

i have been getting the mailings because of my (now) senior.. and never checked out these offerings. has anyone had any experience with the engineering type classes?

[slp]

Jan 20, 2010 11:34:32 GMT -6 casey said:

I'm not surprised as we all knew this was coming. If, in fact, it is closing 2010-2011, I AM surprised. They have been holding meetings for Frontier information night (in fact, there's one tonight) they hand out flyers and info about it. Now if they plan to pull the rug after these kids sign up and make schedules, then that's really BS. I do think they are looking for a way to move the concept into the main campuses but IMO that takes away what the whole thing really is. I doubt my junior will be going to Frontier next year but I think the campus has much merit and I'd hate to see it discontinued. It serves an important function for many.

As you have pointed out though, they must create the need for that third high school and having a freshman campus at NV as well as the Frontier campus will take too many of those kids out of the 3 high schools. They have to try to justify the need for the 3 high schools (you know the doom and gloom and high numbers we will have ). This is a shell game. We'll just move the kids around.

However if the SB was really thinking logically they'd be moving more kids into MV and WV and out of Neuqua. How does MV sit at 638 (class of 2013) and 585 (class of 2012)? Continue that trend and it puts Metea at roughly 2600 kids (in fall of 2011. first year HS will be all 4 classes). Waubonsie's 675 (class of 2013) and 649 (class of 2012) = 2600 (fall of 2011). Neuqua 1034 (class of 2013) and 1041 (class of 2012) = 4100 kids (fall of 2011 with a freshman campus though). I think the freshman campus will close as will Frontier and then Neuqua will continue to be overcrowded while Metea sits relatively vacant. Boundary changes have to be coming again soon (either that or Waubonsie will close).

It'll be just my luck my last child will start at Waubonsie and love it then will have to leave when the school closes and go back to a severely overcrowded Neuqua. I would tell anyone looking in 204 to run for the hills. Our district is a mess and it's going to get worse.

If I lived in Tamarack/West or any other sub west of 59, I'd be preparing for a future boundary change. In addition, I'd think Springbrook or Stillwater would be in consideration to a move to Waubonsie. More kids have to come out of Waubonsie and move to Metea, as well as kids coming out of Neuqua and moving to Waubonsie. Both schools need to have the enrollment increased if three schools is really the long-term plan.

IF (and that's a big IF) they don't close Waubonsie (3-5 years), I think there has to be more shuffling of students. It will be fun to see how many of those complaining of the severe overcrowding at Neuqua will decide it's not so overcrowded when their neighborhood is the one on the block for a boundary switch. I hope that I'm here for that one!

Oh, and for what it's worth, my sophomore's class is now 649 at Waubonsie vs. 1041 at Neuqua (I guess it's now 645 vs. 1045 now that those new exceptions were granted for the kids moving back to NV this week ).

Casey,

I agree with everything you have stated.

There is an issue that just bothers me beyond all others right now...it is the continued exceptions for kids to leave WV to attend NV. Exceptions continue to be granted , even this week!!! Many I know to be bogus/fraudulent reasons....even worse, the kids know it too!!!

I have the strangest feeling too that some diseases are simmering within our current 8th grade population at Scullen that are slated to go to WV. I can only surmise the odd diseases that will surface which prevents attendance at WV. The side effects of these horrific diseases seem to subside at Neuqua; its truely a miracle for these families.

That said, I have not said a word about it up until now because I don't have a horse in the race; ie: didn't have a child in the class of 2012 nor do I have an older child at a separate high school ...BUT now I feel it does affect ALL of us at WV....because many of the exceptions have kept strong athletes at NV. That is not a legitimate reason to give an exception!!!!

I can think of two great 8th grade male athletes at Scullen right now that are slated to go to WV. My hunch is that their parents are pulling strings now to send them to NV. I hope I am wrong, but suspiscions are I am right. THIS NEEDS TO STOP!

I plan on speaking up if this continues and I suggest others do the same. I honestly think the admin. thinks we all don't realize whats going on....really?