Where is the new HS going?

[204parent]

rural said:

I'm not suggesting that we don't need the extra room. I'm just saying we rushed into it. I definitely don't think we need a school the size and scale of MV. If we had taken the time to consider other options, we may not be in this mess. I believe the SB is to blame (CV was the only one saying it wasn't the right thing to do) for putting the pressure on the voters with their now or never tactics and doomsday scenarios.

Well, here's one scenario they never threw at us!

You must be kidding. CV has never had an original thought of her own. She was/is just the spokesperson for the VoteNo group. She was supporting the use of empty elementary school seats to handle the overcrowding in the Middle and High Schools, which was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

[gumby]

fence said:

I thought that a magnet school on the 25 acre BB property would be a perfect solution. It certainly would have avoided this train wreck. People would be clammoring to apply, vs running away screaming.

Anyway, I'm in WE with an 8th grader. I am in no way as informed as others, but here's my honest perspective:

I would be lying if I said I was excited about this situation. I mean, first of all, I believe our Junior Achievement team at Scullen could have done a better job managing the message and the process. SO there are alot of hard feelings around the district simply because of a lack of leadership and communication. People were totally misled, deliberately or not, it doesn't really matter. Here, look at these boundaries - you'll get a new school. Here, look at these boundaries, you'll stay at NV. Hey, look at how nice and neutral this BB land is. Isn't it just PERFECT? And yep, some the people that rallied hardest for the school end up with the shortest end. Let's all laugh at the folly - and wonder why people are p****d.

So you cannot expect people to be open to this idea of a Northern site when you've jacked them back and forth on every level for 2 years. And you've essentially given a gift to all the people who INSISTED we DIDN'T need the school at the end of the day. We don't have an overcrowding problem. It's too expensive. Leave us alone. VOTENO204. Now how did we think this recent turn of events would sit in our cumulative, proverbial craw?

And additionally, any time you even have to discuss things like enviornmental testing and say thing like "we swear the soil samples are within normal range", you will have at best a PR problem. And I know people really do swear that there's no problem. But the SD brought it up in the old site reports as a negative. Put something like that out there and have fun making it ever go away. "I am not a liar." - Richard Nixon

On the softer side, and yes, I do have one, there are a few minor observations:

We literally had a big assembly for the kids who were attending MV (back when they thought BB) and the kids named the mascot, picked the colors etc. Not like that's a big heartbreak, but I think that's a crappy thing to do to the little prides and joys of our fair district.

Second, I am going to need to figure out a way to scrape the wildcat claw off our car window after Sophmore year without damaging the rear defrost. I am hoping that they will have a NV to WV trade in policy on clothing, class rings and Pom Poms. I am interested to see how one goes from a Wildcat fan to a Warrior fan, after spending two seasons as rivals with the very school you will attend. Just a weird little sidebar. Again, I am certain that the fine children will survive. They will just have a brief identity crisis.

So to sum up, I think that the way that this came down was ridiculous, and I am not one bit surprised at the outburst over it. And I don't blame one person for being upset, over any of the issues that have been discussed.

But for me, because you asked, I really don't care about NV or WV, WV or MV, the building doesn't matter in the slightest bit to me. I am fairly confident that my son will continue to write all of his important papers at the last possible minute regardless of what building he is in.

And I feel that WE and TG will make a kick-butt combo at WV, just like we do at Scullen. I would LOVE to have Watts at WV, and I am hopeful that this will still happen. At the end of the day, it's a building and I don't really care. Not to sound too egotistical, but I think WV will be the hippest school in the district after all is said and done. People will simply be in tears over the fact that they no longer attend. (this is sort of a joke but not really).

But I would by lying if I said I didn't care about what it is unfortunately going to do to the value of my house.... Alas, that's another story for another day.

Great post fence! It resonated very strongly with me.

[sushi]

As a fellow WE resident, I feel very strongly that WVHS will lose it's (perceived) bad reputation and our property values will return once the dust settles. I think 204 will end up with three excellent HS's. It's just unfortunate that some kids have to sacrifice in the interim.
In the big picture, the new HS has to be built, and if AME is the best logical choice for many reasons, so be it.

[doctorwho]

fence said:

I thought that a magnet school on the 25 acre BB property would be a perfect solution. It certainly would have avoided this train wreck. People would be clammoring to apply, vs running away screaming.

Anyway, I'm in WE with an 8th grader. I am in no way as informed as others, but here's my honest perspective:

I would be lying if I said I was excited about this situation. I mean, first of all, I believe our Junior Achievement team at Scullen could have done a better job managing the message and the process. SO there are alot of hard feelings around the district simply because of a lack of leadership and communication. People were totally misled, deliberately or not, it doesn't really matter. Here, look at these boundaries - you'll get a new school. Here, look at these boundaries, you'll stay at NV. Hey, look at how nice and neutral this BB land is. Isn't it just PERFECT? And yep, some the people that rallied hardest for the school end up with the shortest end. Let's all laugh at the folly - and wonder why people are p****d.

So you cannot expect people to be open to this idea of a Northern site when you've jacked them back and forth on every level for 2 years. And you've essentially given a gift to all the people who INSISTED we DIDN'T need the school at the end of the day. We don't have an overcrowding problem. It's too expensive. Leave us alone. VOTENO204. Now how did we think this recent turn of events would sit in our cumulative, proverbial craw?

And additionally, any time you even have to discuss things like enviornmental testing and say thing like "we swear the soil samples are within normal range", you will have at best a PR problem. And I know people really do swear that there's no problem. But the SD brought it up in the old site reports as a negative. Put something like that out there and have fun making it ever go away. "I am not a liar." - Richard Nixon

On the softer side, and yes, I do have one, there are a few minor observations:

We literally had a big assembly for the kids who were attending MV (back when they thought BB) and the kids named the mascot, picked the colors etc. Not like that's a big heartbreak, but I think that's a crappy thing to do to the little prides and joys of our fair district.

Second, I am going to need to figure out a way to scrape the wildcat claw off our car window after Sophmore year without damaging the rear defrost. I am hoping that they will have a NV to WV trade in policy on clothing, class rings and Pom Poms. I am interested to see how one goes from a Wildcat fan to a Warrior fan, after spending two seasons as rivals with the very school you will attend. Just a weird little sidebar. Again, I am certain that the fine children will survive. They will just have a brief identity crisis.

So to sum up, I think that the way that this came down was ridiculous, and I am not one bit surprised at the outburst over it. And I don't blame one person for being upset, over any of the issues that have been discussed.

But for me, because you asked, I really don't care about NV or WV, WV or MV, the building doesn't matter in the slightest bit to me. I am fairly confident that my son will continue to write all of his important papers at the last possible minute regardless of what building he is in.

And I feel that WE and TG will make a kick-butt combo at WV, just like we do at Scullen. I would LOVE to have Watts at WV, and I am hopeful that this will still happen. At the end of the day, it's a building and I don't really care. Not to sound too egotistical, but I think WV will be the hippest school in the district after all is said and done. People will simply be in tears over the fact that they no longer attend. (this is sort of a joke but not really).

But I would by lying if I said I didn't care about what it is unfortunately going to do to the value of my house.... Alas, that's another story for another day.

Truly EXCELLENT post fence - you capture a lot in here - and we hope we are at WVHS with you also, more than you can believe- however I feel the die for our ultimate screw job has already been cast.

And as far as crying for not being at Waubonsie -- my daughter has been crying for 2 days straight now-- while others around her talk of their great fortune-- what a load that is....

But we'll keep our Warrior gear here- as we will always be a Warrior family, and we'll cheer you on - take care of WVHS, you will find it is truly special - and sadly most likely will not become a mustang

I was there tonight for the honors/AP meeting and I have to admit, it upset me a lot as they gave a Warriors chant at the end of it --

[d204mom]

If I could look at this as a complete outsider, it would be comical that the district expected everyone to forget the mismanagement and mistakes over the last 2 years; unquestioningly accept the financial analysis, and immediately accept a site change that they promised would never happen.

It is shocking that they put together a financial analysis that includes the avoidance of operating expenses as a source of income, a credit for a land sale that they don't have a contract for, and a minimum estimate of what the walk away costs are from litigation that has consistently proven to be double their minimum estimates and didn't expect any tough questions. It is shocking that the FAQs directly conflict with information they have provided to us just in the last 2 years.

They really don't underestimate the parents of this district that much, do they?

The way our elected officials treat us is sad and disturbing. We deserve better.

[Arch]

rural said:

I'm amazed at how quick everyone was to just vote yes two years ago. We needed a new school because it was "for the kids."

...and ensuring a site has as minimal potential as possible for any hazards presently or future is not for the kids exactly how?

Let me ask you this. If every other site under consideration was the exact same price, would you still believe AME was "best" "for the children"

Take money out of the equation for a moment and answer the question honestly. Price no option, where would *YOU* put it?

Price no option I would pick BB or Hamman (the absolute furthest from me) with Macom as a strong 3rd almost tied with Hamman. Smaller substation, same RR track lines and not having bordering property zoned-I are my reasons. BB because very little can go in next to it that will be a bother to a school and no past hazards on or around the area. Flight paths from Aero Estates do not go over the land. Hamman due to nothing else being around it and nothing formerly on it or next to it but I understand that could change in the future. What it is zoned for I don't know (Ag I believe) but that's likely further out in time than an interchange at Eola and I88 will be (only a guess based on traffic). Macom too has the advantage of the zoning around it and being a bit more boxed in without a major road like Eola or I88 being right on its edge. 95th will get busier as the commuter parking gets built but it will be inbound traffic to the parking lot to the north and not come/go type of drop offs that you would get at a real train station.

Again, put the school in a decent location with respect to current or future snags and I don't care where my kids end up. Heck, bus them to Hamman from Watts, I personally don't care because it will be at a better place (taking hazards into account) than AME, IMO.


Now that I have explained my reasons, please explain yours and let me know if you too will have your kids get bussed to the furthest school and what places you would put it and why.


ETA: Grammar fix

[gumby]

doctorwho said:

fence said:

I thought that a magnet school on the 25 acre BB property would be a perfect solution. It certainly would have avoided this train wreck. People would be clammoring to apply, vs running away screaming.

Anyway, I'm in WE with an 8th grader. I am in no way as informed as others, but here's my honest perspective:

I would be lying if I said I was excited about this situation. I mean, first of all, I believe our Junior Achievement team at Scullen could have done a better job managing the message and the process. SO there are alot of hard feelings around the district simply because of a lack of leadership and communication. People were totally misled, deliberately or not, it doesn't really matter. Here, look at these boundaries - you'll get a new school. Here, look at these boundaries, you'll stay at NV. Hey, look at how nice and neutral this BB land is. Isn't it just PERFECT? And yep, some the people that rallied hardest for the school end up with the shortest end. Let's all laugh at the folly - and wonder why people are p****d.

So you cannot expect people to be open to this idea of a Northern site when you've jacked them back and forth on every level for 2 years. And you've essentially given a gift to all the people who INSISTED we DIDN'T need the school at the end of the day. We don't have an overcrowding problem. It's too expensive. Leave us alone. VOTENO204. Now how did we think this recent turn of events would sit in our cumulative, proverbial craw?

And additionally, any time you even have to discuss things like enviornmental testing and say thing like "we swear the soil samples are within normal range", you will have at best a PR problem. And I know people really do swear that there's no problem. But the SD brought it up in the old site reports as a negative. Put something like that out there and have fun making it ever go away. "I am not a liar." - Richard Nixon

On the softer side, and yes, I do have one, there are a few minor observations:

We literally had a big assembly for the kids who were attending MV (back when they thought BB) and the kids named the mascot, picked the colors etc. Not like that's a big heartbreak, but I think that's a crappy thing to do to the little prides and joys of our fair district.

Second, I am going to need to figure out a way to scrape the wildcat claw off our car window after Sophmore year without damaging the rear defrost. I am hoping that they will have a NV to WV trade in policy on clothing, class rings and Pom Poms. I am interested to see how one goes from a Wildcat fan to a Warrior fan, after spending two seasons as rivals with the very school you will attend. Just a weird little sidebar. Again, I am certain that the fine children will survive. They will just have a brief identity crisis.

So to sum up, I think that the way that this came down was ridiculous, and I am not one bit surprised at the outburst over it. And I don't blame one person for being upset, over any of the issues that have been discussed.

But for me, because you asked, I really don't care about NV or WV, WV or MV, the building doesn't matter in the slightest bit to me. I am fairly confident that my son will continue to write all of his important papers at the last possible minute regardless of what building he is in.

And I feel that WE and TG will make a kick-butt combo at WV, just like we do at Scullen. I would LOVE to have Watts at WV, and I am hopeful that this will still happen. At the end of the day, it's a building and I don't really care. Not to sound too egotistical, but I

[fence]

What the heck? Where did the thread go? Now this makes no sense, but I was going to say:

OK, so if the message this week was that 204 admin recommends AME because of price, and that wasn't really a recommendation but rather just the final warning bell for everyone to get their lowest offers in, then aren't we a little premature in our panicking/infighting/complaining/celebrating?

And how long will it be before they're going to make the "official" official decision? Could they have the meeting on the 22nd with the board voting on AME, only to have another offer come in lower the next day? Or is there some unspoken thing that once the board votes on the 22nd that's it and it's now or never? And does the admin even need to TELL the board what offers come in, since they already made their informed recommendation?

Just wondering if there's an expiration date on this whole exercise.

[WeBe204]

fence said:

What the heck? Where did the thread go? Now this makes no sense, but I was going to say:

OK, so if the message this week was that 204 admin recommends AME because of price, and that wasn't really a recommendation but rather just the final warning bell for everyone to get their lowest offers in, then aren't we a little premature in our panicking/infighting/complaining/celebrating?

And how long will it be before they're going to make the "official" official decision? Could they have the meeting on the 22nd with the board voting on AME, only to have another offer come in lower the next day? Or is there some unspoken thing that once the board votes on the 22nd that's it and it's now or never? And does the admin even need to TELL the board what offers come in, since they already made their informed recommendation?

Just wondering if there's an expiration date on this whole exercise.

I completely agree. I have thought that this was more of a last call situation. I think it was also a test of the date importance vs cost importance vs location importance.

It does not seem like date has been big on anyone's list.