BASIS board meeting minutes: I Street elementary Location meets obstacles

Anonymous
https://bdcschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Minutes-8.09.23-Draft.pdf

"Executive Director’s Report - DeAnna Rowe reported the expansion efforts including the
feedback from DC PCSB regarding a phased increase in enrollment that would make the I Street
property unaffordable. Given the debt and market value of the current building, moving the high
school to I Street is also not viable. Moving forward with grade level and enrollment increase
amendments. Currently vetting research companies to collect survey data from identified
households for inclusion with the amendment submission. Craig requested the exploration of a
merger with or acquisition of an existing primary school as a Plan B."

I didn't realize they were considering moving the high school. Wonder what other options they are considering for elementary-- hopefully not an area that's already oversaturated with elementary-level seats.
Anonymous
What the heck? Acquisition or merger with an existing school? What on earth school would want to do that?
Anonymous
So like, seek out schools that are soon to be closed, and make them an offer? That's not crazy... It would have to be a big enough building so that rules out some of them, though... and probably existing middle and high schools wouldn't want to sell off their elementary.

Bethune
Hope Tolson
Eagle Academy Congress Heights
Ingenuity Prep
SSMA (LOL)

Anonymous
But the principal never told the parents in town hall meetings that they were ever thinking of moving the high school.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:But the principal never told the parents in town hall meetings that they were ever thinking of moving the high school.


Well, now you know!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:But the principal never told the parents in town hall meetings that they were ever thinking of moving the high school.


Because he is a terrible communicator, and every time he talks its like dealing with a used car salesman trying to sell me a lemon!
Anonymous
He's not just a terrible communicator. He's simply terrible.

Who cares where they put the high school. BASIS won't be worth it for HS, even for my math ace.
Anonymous
What quadrant was the I street location?
Anonymous
NE
Anonymous
It was 300 I St NE. So close to a dozen other elementary schools, and no outdoor space. Pass.
Anonymous
I’m under the impression admin are always looking for opportunities to switch to a better building. It’s no secret that everyone wants a better building. I don’t fault admin for not telling families every time they look into it. That’s not a communication problem. That’s on purpose. If something becomes a real option, I’m sure it will become well known. It’s good not to get our hopes up for nothing…
Anonymous
I don't think 300 I St would be any better though.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I’m under the impression admin are always looking for opportunities to switch to a better building. It’s no secret that everyone wants a better building. I don’t fault admin for not telling families every time they look into it. That’s not a communication problem. That’s on purpose. If something becomes a real option, I’m sure it will become well known. It’s good not to get our hopes up for nothing…


BASIS bought the current building. Why they would do that is beyond me.
Anonymous
Jesus Christ. So now they’re thinking about taking over a failing school in order to push this elementary school through?

Just stop. Focus on what you’re good at.
Anonymous
The way I read this is that DC PCSB recommended that BASIS to do a phased enrollment increase (so only adding a few grades a year), not just filling all the extra grades at once. However, BASIS can't afford the I ST building if they don't fill it completely from the start. Someone at the meeting probably asked if they could just move the high school over instead, but that was rejected because they have debt on the current building and the market value is probably awful right now (hello all those empty DC office spaces). So, I doin't read into this that they are planning to move the high school - sounds like BASIS is stuck with that office building they started with.
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