So impressed by Fillmore

[Anonymous]

We're new to DCPS and went to the Fillmore Open House last night. My family was so impressed by the work they're doing in those classes. I studied art in high school and college and didn't have access to some of those specialties until my freshman year of college. These kids are getting such a wide breadth of instruction that certainly could never be replicated without access to this entire arts facility. The faculty was tremendous too! I'm convinced this needs to be saved for all of the years ahead and I look forward to attending the community meetings to do our part. Fillmore is such a unique aspect of DCPS, I only wish it could be guaranteed forever and made available to every kid within DCPS.

[Anonymous]

It's so much more expensive to do arts at Fillmore -- this article in the Current lays out the costs and the equity argument DCPS is making.

http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/NW%2009-28-2016.pdf

Would take a significant budget increase to make it available to all. And of course if they increase the DCPS per pupil allocation to make it available to all, the charters would be entitled to a similar increase for every student.

[Anonymous]

John Davis are you DCUM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:John Davis are you DCUM?

I'm the PP and definitely not John David. Charter parent/taxpayer who can't get over the $600K operating support given to Fillmore each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's so much more expensive to do arts at Fillmore -- this article in the Current lays out the costs and the equity argument DCPS is making.

http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/NW%2009-28-2016.pdf

Would take a significant budget increase to make it available to all. And of course if they increase the DCPS per pupil allocation to make it available to all, the charters would be entitled to a similar increase for every student.

OP here. I get the equity argument, although the bus contract was pretty ridiculous in the past and certainly contributed to that. However, in terms of equity, are they factoring in what it would cost to remodel the schools so each of the Fillmore-supported schools has an art room? Obviously that could be incredibly costly. Space is completely maxed out at these bursting schools so how is equity applied when Fillmore closes and some DCPS schools have a measly art-on-a-cart program and others have a standard art-room program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so much more expensive to do arts at Fillmore -- this article in the Current lays out the costs and the equity argument DCPS is making.

http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/NW%2009-28-2016.pdf

Would take a significant budget increase to make it available to all. And of course if they increase the DCPS per pupil allocation to make it available to all, the charters would be entitled to a similar increase for every student.

OP here. I get the equity argument, although the bus contract was pretty ridiculous in the past and certainly contributed to that. However, in terms of equity, are they factoring in what it would cost to remodel the schools so each of the Fillmore-supported schools has an art room? Obviously that could be incredibly costly. Space is completely maxed out at these bursting schools so how is equity applied when Fillmore closes and some DCPS schools have a measly art-on-a-cart program and others have a standard art-room program?

Reed is getting an arts space, so one fewer school that 'needs' Fillmore.

How about busing the kids to another nearby school with arts space? And hiring an additional DCPS art teacher to teach them. Why must it be Fillmore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so much more expensive to do arts at Fillmore -- this article in the Current lays out the costs and the equity argument DCPS is making.

http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/NW%2009-28-2016.pdf

Would take a significant budget increase to make it available to all. And of course if they increase the DCPS per pupil allocation to make it available to all, the charters would be entitled to a similar increase for every student.

OP here. I get the equity argument, although the bus contract was pretty ridiculous in the past and certainly contributed to that. However, in terms of equity, are they factoring in what it would cost to remodel the schools so each of the Fillmore-supported schools has an art room? Obviously that could be incredibly costly. Space is completely maxed out at these bursting schools so how is equity applied when Fillmore closes and some DCPS schools have a measly art-on-a-cart program and others have a standard art-room program?

Reed is getting an arts space, so one fewer school that 'needs' Fillmore.

How about busing the kids to another nearby school with arts space? And hiring an additional DCPS art teacher to teach them. Why must it be Fillmore?

Because all of the other nearby schools are jammed to capacity or are using their arts space themselves. But also because how would that really be different? You'd be hiring arts teachers and busing kids. If you are fine with that, you are fine with Fillmore.

[Anonymous]

Well you all need to think of another plan then - because this isn't sustainable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well you all need to think of another plan then - because this isn't sustainable.

Shouldnt DCPS help develop a plan for schools with no space?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:John Davis are you DCUM?

I'm the PP and definitely not John David. Charter parent/taxpayer who can't get over the $600K operating support given to Fillmore each year.

Parent at a privately run school financed with taxpayer dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well you all need to think of another plan then - because this isn't sustainable.

Shouldnt DCPS help develop a plan for schools with no space?

What makes you think they aren't? This is on DCPS and the principals. Push them for a solution. You have 10 months to figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well you all need to think of another plan then - because this isn't sustainable.

Shouldnt DCPS help develop a plan for schools with no space?

What makes you think they aren't? This is on DCPS and the principals. Push them for a solution. You have 10 months to figure it out.

I know they arent because our principal has made it clear they are not and that it will be completely up to the schools to find a resolution . In fact, DCPS seems oblivious and/or ambivalent to the amount of overcrowding at some of yhese schools.

[Anonymous]

Why can't DCPS just use some of its buses to take the nearby kids to Fillmore? Would be dirt cheap -- in comparison to the charter buses they've been using to bus Fillmore and Ellington kids around (same bus contract). Certainly would be a ton cheaper than building new arts classrooms for the schools that don't have them. When this is considered, the "equity" argument they are pushing makes no sense, BTW. What's their real reason for seeking to crush this 42-year old DC landmark?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't DCPS just use some of its buses to take the nearby kids to Fillmore? Would be dirt cheap -- in comparison to the charter buses they've been using to bus Fillmore and Ellington kids around (same bus contract). Certainly would be a ton cheaper than building new arts classrooms for the schools that don't have them. When this is considered, the "equity" argument they are pushing makes no sense, BTW. What's their real reason for seeking to crush this 42-year old DC landmark?

It truly is an incredible institution and DC legacy. Our neighborhood is fighting hard to make sure it doesn't disappear. We've lived in districts all over the country and have never seen the kid of art curriculum that Fillmore provides at the elementary level. With everything DCPS struggles with, Fillmore is such a positive news story with long-lasting benefits for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't DCPS just use some of its buses to take the nearby kids to Fillmore? Would be dirt cheap -- in comparison to the charter buses they've been using to bus Fillmore and Ellington kids around (same bus contract). Certainly would be a ton cheaper than building new arts classrooms for the schools that don't have them. When this is considered, the "equity" argument they are pushing makes no sense, BTW. What's their real reason for seeking to crush this 42-year old DC landmark?

DCPS doesn't have buses or drivers.

Only kids bussed are special education students and they are transported by OSSE.