Funding for Shepherd's Renovation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say the real question is why Shepherd prioritized the magnificent atrium and second floor kiln OVER getting a cafeteria and auditorium, but then you'd just call me a hater.

They really do need a new cafeteria. I, who have mocked the absurd amount of money they've spent moderinizing stuff that wasn't broken, agree with that.

Going forward, and thinking positively, I hope they get one. I also hope this kind of discussion can lead to more rational renovation plans for all schools.

I don't think this was up to Shepherd to decide what was prioritized.

I believe the same thing happened to Francis Stevens. They were without a kitchen and getting food delivered by Hardy due to poor planning. Garrison is getting a partial renovation without the cafeteria and kitchen being renovated. Believe me, it's not the school community who is making these decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say the real question is why Shepherd prioritized the magnificent atrium and second floor kiln OVER getting a cafeteria and auditorium, but then you'd just call me a hater.

They really do need a new cafeteria. I, who have mocked the absurd amount of money they've spent moderinizing stuff that wasn't broken, agree with that.

Going forward, and thinking positively, I hope they get one. I also hope this kind of discussion can lead to more rational renovation plans for all schools.

I don't think this was up to Shepherd to decide what was prioritized.

PP here. I forgot to mention that at a recent presentation at Shepherd re: status of the renovations, the DGS rep spoke in glowing terms about the kiln they'd installed during a renovation at another elementary (can't remember where exactly, but possibly a school in NE). I don't think all of these schools are prioritizing kilns over cafeterias; I got the impression it was a DGS or DCPS decision.

[Anonymous]

Yup, the kilns are are a DCPS thing. Pretty sure nobody is begging to have kilns put in; but it is in every school's ed spec. And when they have to be installed on an upper floor, it can get very expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yup, the kilns are are a DCPS thing. Pretty sure nobody is begging to have kilns put in; but it is in every school's ed spec. And when they have to be installed on an upper floor, it can get very expensive.

Maybe the kiln manufacturers are political donors or, more likely, kilns are a proxy or signal for a commitment to arts education.

[Anonymous]

They could have shoved the kiln for all I care (Shepherd parent here). I don't think that we asked for it.

Right now, the cafeteria is an actual deathtrap due to the HVAC equipment that was installed in a way that blocks the breezeway. If there were a fire, I'm not sure how anyone on that level is supposed to get out.

[Anonymous]

Our school has a kiln that has never worked!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They could have shoved the kiln for all I care (Shepherd parent here). I don't think that we asked for it.

Right now, the cafeteria is an actual deathtrap due to the HVAC equipment that was installed in a way that blocks the breezeway. If there were a fire, I'm not sure how anyone on that level is supposed to get out.

Incoming Shepherd parent. Ok, now I am terrified. Has anybody reached out to the fire marshalls?

[Anonymous]

Get the media involved - the Shepherd parent community should have some in their ranks who know the people who cover education at the Post and City Paper.

Take said reporter on a tour and have them talk to the fire people -- and get them to write on the pissing match between Grosso and the Mayor.

That's what this is -- and if you can prove the Grosso approach is flawed -- it will help more than trying to change this through an inter-agency battle among DC government entities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about schools where the entire building is substandard, not up to code, leaks, poor working HVAC systems where one part of the building is an oven the other a freezer and the list could go on? As a parent in a school that keeps getting pushed farther down the list in timing, but ranked higher on the list in need of renovations, it's really hard for me to have sympathy for loss of funding over a gym/cafeteria. I'm not saying the school is not worthy of the renovations and doesn't deserve them, but it is hard to stomach. I'm reading a lot of comments about "equal funding for all schools" but once your school is finished will you help speak for other school communities that are challenging DC/DCPS, have grossly inadequate facilities and don't have as loud as a voice? And whose concerns are being pushed aside and given the run around?

-a DCPS parent

Imagine that they begin your school's renovation soon. They work on it off and on (phased renovations) for three years, at great inconvenience to students and staff, and then abandon it to move onto others schools, with the rationale that your school has at least had partial renovations, while there are other schools which haven't been touched.

Imagine that at the same, there's an indication that the city would like to move away from phased renovations, which means that your school may never get the last critical renovations done.

Also imagine that funds for your school's remaining renovations are chopped up and redistributed to other named schools, thereby having the effect--intentional or otherwise--of pitting schools against each other.

Finally, imagine that your school is the only school singled out in this manner during the Council on Education's budget review.

This is why there should be more money overall for school modenization. There's really no good answer to which is higher priority: Shepherd's cafeteria, or another school's urgently needed modernization. I blame the mayor and the council - all of them. I refuse to be pitted against other schools.

If Bowser and Mendelson don't want to touch this issue, then they can count me out voting for them. Grosso isn't doing himself any favors either - this is his baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about schools where the entire building is substandard, not up to code, leaks, poor working HVAC systems where one part of the building is an oven the other a freezer and the list could go on? As a parent in a school that keeps getting pushed farther down the list in timing, but ranked higher on the list in need of renovations, it's really hard for me to have sympathy for loss of funding over a gym/cafeteria. I'm not saying the school is not worthy of the renovations and doesn't deserve them, but it is hard to stomach. I'm reading a lot of comments about "equal funding for all schools" but once your school is finished will you help speak for other school communities that are challenging DC/DCPS, have grossly inadequate facilities and don't have as loud as a voice? And whose concerns are being pushed aside and given the run around?

-a DCPS parent

Imagine that they begin your school's renovation soon. They work on it off and on (phased renovations) for three years, at great inconvenience to students and staff, and then abandon it to move onto others schools, with the rationale that your school has at least had partial renovations, while there are other schools which haven't been touched.

Imagine that at the same, there's an indication that the city would like to move away from phased renovations, which means that your school may never get the last critical renovations done.

Also imagine that funds for your school's remaining renovations are chopped up and redistributed to other named schools, thereby having the effect--intentional or otherwise--of pitting schools against each other.

Finally, imagine that your school is the only school singled out in this manner during the Council on Education's budget review.

This. Exactly this. I'm not a Shepherd parent but this is infuriating and ignorant. So what are we going to do, finish one phase at a time so every school can get money equally causing renovations to take 10-15 years each? Very ignorant. Fail Grosso.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how the $4M at Oyster will be used?

[Anonymous]

And when they have to be installed on an upper floor, it can get very expensive.
[Report Post]

I guess we should be grateful they didn't decide to put the kiln on its own floor, accessible by a climbing wall and a special elevator for the ADA compliance.

No, but really, who makes these decisions. These kiln, atrium, whackadoo decisions.

I want to know so I can apply for their job, because I think I could come up with much more creative ways to waste outlandish sums of money on anything but education.

[Anonymous]

There is a meeting at the school this evening to talk about options going forward. Todd is supposed to stop by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a meeting at the school this evening to talk about options going forward. Todd is supposed to stop by.

Be prepared to be disappointed. Todd doesn't seem to be able to get anything done for our ward.

[Anonymous]

The Fire Marshall should be invited...