R SCHOOLS R OVERCROWDED! HOW DO WE FIX 2DAY?

[lacy]

If people have stopped moving into our district it sure as heck doesn't have anything to do with whether Ken and Barbie (who presumably already live in 204) can pay their current mortgage - now does it?

People move into desirable school districts. Our district is in a state of paralysis at the moment - overcrowded middle schools - no land to build a third high school on (but a referendum that was passed almost 1 year ago). If they've been following along, they know we've been in litigation for how long now? And the SB president doesn't know how much that has cost the district.

Why exactly would this be attractive to a prospective buyer?

[Arch]

lacy said:

Why exactly would this be attractive to a prospective buyer?

I'm sure we could find a home builder who could promise attendance at a certain high school... That, or we need more home buyers who believe they could never be re-boundaried.

[doctorwho]

lacy said:

If people have stopped moving into our district it sure as heck doesn't have anything to do with whether Ken and Barbie (who presumably already live in 204) can pay their current mortgage - now does it?

People move into desirable school districts. Our district is in a state of paralysis at the moment - overcrowded middle schools - no land to build a third high school on (but a referendum that was passed almost 1 year ago). If they've been following along, they know we've been in litigation for how long now? And the SB president doesn't know how much that has cost the district.

Why exactly would this be attractive to a prospective buyer?

Well I highly doubt any realtors are cluing people in on this ( not good for biz) - and most realtors I know have not followed where we are....friends in 203 and Oswego etc. sometimes ask what is going on with the school, but again really have no insight to the overcrowding or anything else. Heck we can't even get 15% of the electorate in 204 to the polls in a non election year -- I am not sure exactly what the level of understanding really is -- now I am sure that parents with kids in schools that are very overcrowded - let's say like Scullen - have a level of knowledge that says, I don't see any relief coming - why not ? Unless you talk boundaries it is amazing at how passive many people seem to be about it ---

[bob]

lacy said:

If people have stopped moving into our district it sure as heck doesn't have anything to do with whether Ken and Barbie (who presumably already live in 204) can pay their current mortgage - now does it?

People move into desirable school districts. Our district is in a state of paralysis at the moment - overcrowded middle schools - no land to build a third high school on (but a referendum that was passed almost 1 year ago). If they've been following along, they know we've been in litigation for how long now? And the SB president doesn't know how much that has cost the district.

Why exactly would this be attractive to a prospective buyer?

The most important thing in selling a house is PRICE.

How can one buy a house here when they can't sell their own house? Or how can they buy a house when mortgage companies are looking for 10-20% down? Tough to buy a house when one has to put 50k -100k down.

[Arch]

Actually, Dr.. This SB is so awesome in its power that it can cause the exact same effect in other districts in the state and even in other states with respect to house sales.

Wow, I underestimated their awesomeness. I shall never make that mistake again. I'm certain that means that as soon as we have a land decision the whole real estate market and the economy in general is headed 'to the moon'.

[momof3]

archwinsome said:

Hedge that bet w/ the possibility that foreign investors may pull out of the real estate market (and accepting huge losses) due to the falling dollar

Tell that to Garrett Kelleher! I think the falling dollar will spark more foreign real estate investment but I don't think the market will bottom out until next year.

eta - out today. IAR/NAR is always optimistic, but prices are up, sales are down.
www.illinoisrealtor.org/iar/marketstats/quarterly/2007/3Qnews.html

eta2 - Canadians jump to mind too. Whodathunk 5 years ago a loonie would be worth more that a dollar? And they are having quite a real estate boom.
chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27180
Canadian firm buys Chicago-based REIT investor

[Arch]

momof3 said:

archwinsome said:

Hedge that bet w/ the possibility that foreign investors may pull out of the real estate market (and accepting huge losses) due to the falling dollar

Tell that to Garrett Kelleher! I think the falling dollar will spark more foreign real estate investment but I don't think the market will bottom out until next year.

eta - out today. IAR/NAR is always optimistic, but prices are up, sales are down.
www.illinoisrealtor.org/iar/marketstats/quarterly/2007/3Qnews.html

eta2 - Canadians jump to mind too. Whodathunk 5 years ago a loonie would be worth more that a dollar? And they are having quite a real estate boom.
chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27180
Canadian firm buys Chicago-based REIT investor

I said I hope I am wrong. There is this neat thing in the stock market called a dead cat bounce that usually snags some unfortunate souls too.

[fence]

What's with all the freaking out? Do we seriously think 90% of the people that live here are made of veneer? Seems like everyone around me is doing just fine.

I don't expect there to be a huge exodus out of the district because George Bailey's Building and Loan ran out of money. And I don't think a tough housing market will address the current crowding problems.

Either way, my son goes to the most crowded MS school in the district, and regardless of the #s, it's a great school and he loves it. So I'm not getting hysterical over present problems, because that doesn't seem to be our priority right now, and clearly, 204 moves like a glacier so what difference does today make anyway when it's already tomorrow? And I don't know what the 3rd HS future holds - heaven knows how this will end, it just feels like by the time we figure it out, we'll have a different problem to solve..... Just like everything else in life.

[wvhsparent]

fence said:

What's with all the freaking out? Do we seriously think 90% of the people that live here are made of veneer? Seems like everyone around me is doing just fine.

I don't expect there to be a huge exodus out of the district because George Bailey's Building and Loan ran out of money. And I don't think a tough housing market will address the current crowding problems.

Either way, my son goes to the most crowded MS school in the district, and regardless of the #s, it's a great school and he loves it. So I'm not getting hysterical over present problems, because that doesn't seem to be our priority right now, and clearly, 204 moves like a glacier so what difference does today make anyway when it's already tomorrow? And I don't know what the 3rd HS future holds - heaven knows how this will end, it just feels like by the time we figure it out, we'll have a different problem to solve..... Just like everything else in life.

Welcome back fence!!!!
Yes I do believe in many of the newer areas of the SD are "veneer" as you put it, and have been for quite a while. I recall my wife's aunt used to clean people's homes in the area (Both 203 and 204) Many were "house rich" and cash poor. All monies tied into the house, and the houses were fairly empty of furniture.
The Re-fi craze hit and even more people tapped into their homes. I know I did. I am OK for now, but it's close.
In my Subdivision there are at least 10 homes that have been on the market, some over 6 months.
So the reports of home values rising means little if there are no buyers.

All that said, do I still feel there is the need for the 3rd HS.....Yes I do. I am just wondering now if the timefame is longer now as the increases have slowed.
Also with the down markets, the SD should bargain hard and not accept any "time delay increases". You want the work or not? should be their in their barganing toolbox. I don't mean to say they should lowball or go with a shoddy contractor, but merely state this is our acceptable range that they must work within or we will find someone else.

[fence]

hi parent! Yes, that's probably about new areas, and there are some harsh realities, but generally I think people are just sitting tight, which is all one can do. And I sure do agree that anyone willing to buy and build anything these days is in the power position. And I too still believe we need a 3rd HS, but I'm concerned about the where and the when, and that we're already too late to help the kids at the front end of the mess we were trying to avoid.

[Arch]

My whole point wasn't that we won't have overcrowding.. we will and in specific cases, do. It merely 'slowed' the rate we've been packing them in.. which for now, is a good thing due to all of the delays.

[wvhsparent]

archwinsome said:

My whole point wasn't that we won't have overcrowding.. we will and in specific cases, do. It merely 'slowed' the rate we've been packing them in.. which for now, is a good thing due to all of the delays.

agreed, which give us a little (not much) breathing room. Those already in the schools are enough to to fill the need.
Depending on the site chosen, the next task must be a complete redrawing of all boundaries. (if BB is finally chosen, then HS is OK, the ES and MS will then need to be redone) to address the crowding in certain schools.

[harry]

Wow!!

Of the 26 posts only 3 remained mostly on topic.

I guess that once again, it shows that there aren't problems that need solutions today, and with many of the posts echoing that they predict the student population to slide down for the next 1-3 years, I am seriously still asking two questions...

1. Why is the SB NOT doing anything about the alleged current overcrowding

2. Looks like that 3rd hs need is V E R Y questionnable at best.

p.s I do not expect many comments regarding the above as the mind set here is 3rd hs or I will have voted wrong....That's ok,,,,but if one is so forward thinking, I am wondering why none of you have pondered/emailed the SB asking if we truly need in excess to $124.6m attached to our taxes

peace

ETA gatormom!!!!

[gatormom]

harry said:

Wow!!

Of the 26 posts only 3 remained mostly on topic.

I guess that once again, it shows that there aren't problems that need solutions today, and with many of the posts echoing that they predict the student population to slide down for the next 1-3 years, I am seriously still asking two questions...

1. Why is the SB NOT doing anything about the alleged current overcrowding

2. Looks like that 3rd hs need is V E R Y questionnable at best.

p.s I do not expect many comments regarding the above as the mind set here is 3rd hs or I will have voted wrong....That's ok,,,,but if one is so forward thinking, I am wondering why none of you have pondered/emailed the SB asking if we truly need in excess to $124.6m attached to our taxes

peace

ETA gatormom!!!!

1. SB's job is not to get nitty gritty with the day-to-day facilities management. The SB is doing the job of selecting a site for Metea Valley which will provide the relief at the MS level and the high schools.

2. Your opinion. Metea is needed.

As far as how the district is managing overcrowding, that is a building by building issue and the district seems to have a method to handling it. As long as the overcrowding is temporary, as this is, we all muddle through and make the best of it until the permanent solution is in place. Historically, that is how overcrowding in this district has been handled. Do you know a better way?

[harry]

gatormom said:

harry said:

Wow!!

Of the 26 posts only 3 remained mostly on topic.

I guess that once again, it shows that there aren't problems that need solutions today, and with many of the posts echoing that they predict the student population to slide down for the next 1-3 years, I am seriously still asking two questions...

1. Why is the SB NOT doing anything about the alleged current overcrowding

2. Looks like that 3rd hs need is V E R Y questionnable at best.

p.s I do not expect many comments regarding the above as the mind set here is 3rd hs or I will have voted wrong....That's ok,,,,but if one is so forward thinking, I am wondering why none of you have pondered/emailed the SB asking if we truly need in excess to $124.6m attached to our taxes

peace

ETA gatormom!!!!

1. SB's job is not to get nitty gritty with the day-to-day facilities management. The SB is doing the job of selecting a site for Metea Valley which will provide the relief at the MS level and the high schools.

2. Your opinion. Metea is needed.

As far as how the district is managing overcrowding, that is a building by building issue and the district seems to have a method to handling it. As long as the overcrowding is temporary, as this is, we all muddle through and make the best of it until the permanent solution is in place. Historically, that is how overcrowding in this district has been handled. Do you know a better way?

I am sorry but it is of utmost importance for the SB to make sure that each and every district 204 student gets the best education possible, and not to get a substandard one for 'a few years while we figure it out.' As it sits, there will not be hs or ms relief for at least 3 years as the SB cannot blank or get off of the pot.



How does that help the current situation???

2. My opinion,.,,,,,,we don't need a 3rd hs. Numbers are numbers.

So let's do the best with what we have and stop wasting time on an unnecessary object.

eta Why are we not expending resources to STOP muddling thru anything less than satisfactory??? I just don't get the C- attitude.