New Brent facility

[Anonymous]

Anyone have inside info on when Brent will be rebuilt? Sounds like the school administrators think 2025-2027, but there's a parent advocacy group trying to pull that forward. Would love to know what's up!

[Anonymous]

According to the fy22 capital improvement plan, construction is scheduled to start 2/1/2026, with completion in 7/2027.

https://dcgov.app.box.com/file/861229853836?s=09xxasiudp45rhfsuwa3rl0gzx8zissq

Not sure how parent advocacy will get around the DGS master plan for other schools in need of work, but good luck with that?

[Anonymous]

Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

OP here. Fair enough. That may have been my own misunderstanding of the situation. I've not heard from anyone that works for DC that there's a chance the timeline moves forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

[Anonymous]

Also, be careful what you wish for. Being in a swing space for two years really does negatively impact the kids and the school community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Why, because JO Wilson serves its in-boundary population so well? Because it's over-crowded?

Spare us the sermon. Brent is bursting at the seams with more than 80% in-boundary participation despite a disastrous, seriously antiquated HVAC system. Water leaks from vents into rooms, occasionally flooding the library. The playground affords the school less space per student than any other in the system save Ross.

Where parents and admins organize and lobby politicians like made for much-needed renovations, wait times have a way of shrinking or disappearing in DCPS, e.g. Maury, renovated with around 18 months of lead time in 2017-18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Why, because JO Wilson serves its in-boundary population so well? Because it's over-crowded?

Spare us the sermon. Brent is bursting at the seams with more than 80% in-boundary participation despite a disastrous, seriously antiquated HVAC system. Water leaks from vents into rooms, occasionally flooding the library. The playground affords the school less space per student than any other in the system save Ross.

Where parents and admins organize and lobby politicians like made for much-needed renovations, wait times have a way of shrinking or disappearing in DCPS, e.g. Maury, renovated with around 18 months of lead time in 2017-18.

Right, so much for equity. Let's get the parents who have the finances and the connections and let them lobby for the school with 9% econ disadvantaged hop the line

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Why, because JO Wilson serves its in-boundary population so well? Because it's over-crowded?

Spare us the sermon. Brent is bursting at the seams with more than 80% in-boundary participation despite a disastrous, seriously antiquated HVAC system. Water leaks from vents into rooms, occasionally flooding the library. The playground affords the school less space per student than any other in the system save Ross.

Where parents and admins organize and lobby politicians like made for much-needed renovations, wait times have a way of shrinking or disappearing in DCPS, e.g. Maury, renovated with around 18 months of lead time in 2017-18.

Right, so much for equity. Let's get the parents who have the finances and the connections and let them lobby for the school with 9% econ disadvantaged hop the line

Right, god forbid OOB kids get a new facility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Brent has already had Phase 1 renovations and doesn't have "dire needs" on that front. They do have severe overcrowding and need more physical space with limited room to expand within existing footprint. Like all overcrowded schools that's a reasonable argument. It would also be reasonable to draw school districts which can accommodate their boundaries (see upper NW). Brent should seriously reconsider its PK space

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Why, because JO Wilson serves its in-boundary population so well? Because it's over-crowded?

Spare us the sermon. Brent is bursting at the seams with more than 80% in-boundary participation despite a disastrous, seriously antiquated HVAC system. Water leaks from vents into rooms, occasionally flooding the library. The playground affords the school less space per student than any other in the system save Ross.

Where parents and admins organize and lobby politicians like made for much-needed renovations, wait times have a way of shrinking or disappearing in DCPS, e.g. Maury, renovated with around 18 months of lead time in 2017-18.

Brent was actually only 66% IB as of the most recently available stats (2020-21): https://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Brent+Elementary+School. While well ahead of JOW (35%), it is far more comparable to L-T (62%) than Maury (87%) in that regard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Why, because JO Wilson serves its in-boundary population so well? Because it's over-crowded?

Spare us the sermon. Brent is bursting at the seams with more than 80% in-boundary participation despite a disastrous, seriously antiquated HVAC system. Water leaks from vents into rooms, occasionally flooding the library. The playground affords the school less space per student than any other in the system save Ross.

Where parents and admins organize and lobby politicians like made for much-needed renovations, wait times have a way of shrinking or disappearing in DCPS, e.g. Maury, renovated with around 18 months of lead time in 2017-18.

Right, so much for equity. Let's get the parents who have the finances and the connections and let them lobby for the school with 9% econ disadvantaged hop the line

Right, god forbid OOB kids get a new facility

Adequate buildings are not a prize to be earned through test scores FFS! They are the right of all children who need a place to learn. It's really tacky to say that a wealthier school should cut in line before a lower-income school because of test scores, which are tightly correlated with demographics.

Get rid of your PK4 if you're so overcrowded. Wah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Brent has already had Phase 1 renovations and doesn't have "dire needs" on that front. They do have severe overcrowding and need more physical space with limited room to expand within existing footprint. Like all overcrowded schools that's a reasonable argument. It would also be reasonable to draw school districts which can accommodate their boundaries (see upper NW). Brent should seriously reconsider its PK space

Critics of Brent's admins and PTA have been saying that for a decade now. It's just not happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Brent has already had Phase 1 renovations and doesn't have "dire needs" on that front. They do have severe overcrowding and need more physical space with limited room to expand within existing footprint. Like all overcrowded schools that's a reasonable argument. It would also be reasonable to draw school districts which can accommodate their boundaries (see upper NW). Brent should seriously reconsider its PK space

Critics of Brent's admins and PTA have been saying that for a decade now. It's just not happening.

Well then you're not really overcrowded, are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent advocates are not trying to accelerate or "pull forward" the Brent renovation. Brent has already been recognized by the city for years as being in need of renovation of its outdated and overcrowded space, and the original schedule was derailed (like so many things) by COVID. No one is trying to jump the line, and its irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

Thank you. There are multiple other elementary schools with more dire facilities needs than Brent's and people need to understand that if Brent's schedule got moved up, it would impact kids and teachers at those schools. For instance I know for a fact that J.O. Wilson is in dire need of new facilities. They should absolutely be further up the queue.

It would be great if no one had to wait but it's just not the reality in this district (or in almost any public school district).

Brent has already had Phase 1 renovations and doesn't have "dire needs" on that front. They do have severe overcrowding and need more physical space with limited room to expand within existing footprint. Like all overcrowded schools that's a reasonable argument. It would also be reasonable to draw school districts which can accommodate their boundaries (see upper NW). Brent should seriously reconsider its PK space

Critics of Brent's admins and PTA have been saying that for a decade now. It's just not happening.

Well then you're not really overcrowded, are you?

If Brent is only 2/3rds IB, it seems like they could relieve overcrowding by taking fewer OOB kids. What am I missing? 1/3rd of the school is a lot of wiggle room.