Why is Janney getting another million dollar renovation……

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem very shortsighted to be doing this now, before the boundaries discussion. A much cheaper, and somewhat obvious, way to reduce the crowding at Janney would be to move some of those kids to Hearst.

They've already laid down the ground rule that all existing families will be grandfathered. So any change in boundaries isn't going to make a difference for years. If you look at the Master Facilities Plan, there are population projections on page 55 (Figure 4.7). Janney is the only elementary school in Cluster 11. Elementary aged population is projected to go from 1230 in 2012 to 1421 in 2017 1645 in 2022. That's 34% growth in the next ten years. The school is already crowded. Shrinking the boundaries can't fix that.

I agree that the timing isn't helpful for the boundary review commission.

shrinking boundaries can fix that. sorry, but that is true.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know the status of the Murch renovation? It seems to keep getting pushed back. How about using funds to renovate a similarly overcrowded school that hasn't had any improvements in decades?

[Anonymous]

The problem is dcps has no idea how to project future enrollment. They remodel with no eye to the future. This is true not only for Jamey, but also for Deal, Wilson, SWW. It's an outrage that these schools are remodeled and and then are too crowded and need trailers and subsequent additional renovations. DCPS does not know how to plan -never did and never will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know the status of the Murch renovation? It seems to keep getting pushed back. How about using funds to renovate a similarly overcrowded school that hasn't had any improvements in decades?

And, in similar vein, finish the ongoing renovation at Hearst where the kids are in trailers and there is construction fencing waiting for their pending renovation? The kids literally have to walk around construction fencing. My only point is I agree with this poster --how could starting a new, just announced SECOND renovation at Janney possibly be the best priority for spending by DCPS in this area and Murch and Hearst are still waiting?

You can call the renovation putting lipstick on a pig if you don't want to call it a renovation, but it is a renovation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is dcps has no idea how to project future enrollment. They remodel with no eye to the future. This is true not only for Jamey, but also for Deal, Wilson, SWW. It's an outrage that these schools are remodeled and and then are too crowded and need trailers and subsequent additional renovations. DCPS does not know how to plan -never did and never will.

I agree with what you are saying, and that is why rezoning has to be part of the equation. Just building and renovation is not flexible enough to meet demand. These same issues are dealt with moco and fcps.

[Anonymous]

Yes but look at Hearst renovation. They are not making it big enough for the supposed new ideal ES model of 400 students. Why make ideal budgets for ES that have 400 students and then remodel for a lower capacity? This is the type of incompetence you deal with in dcps. What makes you think that in rezoning they will look at future enrollment models? I'm not sure they know how to read them. I've been a parent in dcps too long to have any confidence in their actions.

[Anonymous]

I think it's much worse that they just spend $120 million on Roosevelt with no plan on how to fill the school.

[Anonymous]

Roosevelt is just the opposite side of the coin to the problems with the renovations at schools like janney and deal. They do not know what they are doing. It's a waste to spend money and no one is there. It's. A waste to spend money and then need more in 2 years. Total lack of planning.

[Anonymous]

Look, even with this renovation, with population projections, they need to do rezoning, even in NW, so that neighborhood schools have zones that reasonably feed the right number of students to the existing facilities. I doubt Janney will be able to get a third expansion 3 years from now.

Also PreK is not compulsory, so the argument to expand for that is pretty weak. Just a fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, even with this renovation, with population projections, they need to do rezoning, even in NW, so that neighborhood schools have zones that reasonably feed the right number of students to the existing facilities. I doubt Janney will be able to get a third expansion 3 years from now.

Also PreK is not compulsory, so the argument to expand for that is pretty weak. Just a fact.

This is not an expansion for pre-K, also just a fact. The new classrooms will sit ON TOP of the pre-K classrooms. They will not BE pre-K classrooms. Somebody on here made reference to expanding the early education "wing." If you call three classrooms in a row a "wing" I guess that is accurate. These classrooms, however, will be on the floors that hold classrooms for first grade through 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

This is ridiculous. With so many other pressing needs on the capital side around the city even at schools that are doing quite well, spending this kind of money at a practically brand spanking new school is insane. Murch construction is just a twinkle in DGS' eye at this point in time. Hearst and Mann haven't even begun yet and they are going to start this in the next few weeks. Families from around the city want to improve middle schools so Deal and maybe Stuart-Hobson and Hardy are not the only acceptable choices (in their view). Maybe build a new middle school "EOTP".

I am a Ward 3 voter and I will vote against Mary Cheh if this goes through.

[Anonymous]

And I suggest that everyone rather than just complain here call their council member and the mayor's office to complain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I suggest that everyone rather than just complain here call their council member and the mayor's office to complain.

Agreed. Can someone post the info for contacting Mary Cheh and her office? I may try to later today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous. With so many other pressing needs on the capital side around the city even at schools that are doing quite well, spending this kind of money at a practically brand spanking new school is insane. Murch construction is just a twinkle in DGS' eye at this point in time. Hearst and Mann haven't even begun yet and they are going to start this in the next few weeks. Families from around the city want to improve middle schools so Deal and maybe Stuart-Hobson and Hardy are not the only acceptable choices (in their view). Maybe build a new middle school "EOTP".

I am a Ward 3 voter and I will vote against Mary Cheh if this goes through.

Well it is a completely done deal. Was as of last spring. Construction begins in a few days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ridiculous. With so many other pressing needs on the capital side around the city even at schools that are doing quite well, spending this kind of money at a practically brand spanking new school is insane. Murch construction is just a twinkle in DGS' eye at this point in time. Hearst and Mann haven't even begun yet and they are going to start this in the next few weeks. Families from around the city want to improve middle schools so Deal and maybe Stuart-Hobson and Hardy are not the only acceptable choices (in their view). Maybe build a new middle school "EOTP".

I am a Ward 3 voter and I will vote against Mary Cheh if this goes through.

Well it is a completely done deal. Was as of last spring. Construction begins in a few days.

It is news to the rest of us! How on earth did this school get two renovations above other more needy sites?