Two new MCPS HSs with no auditoriums

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people who are upset about this, which projects that have been approved in the CIP pipeline do you want to see postponed so that the $40 million necessary to fund the auditoriums for Crown and Woodward can be put back into the budget?

There's no more money coming in. So some projects or elements of projects are going to have to be postponed or deferred. And someone, somewhere who's hoping and paying for whatever project gets deferred is going to be pissed off. There's no pleasing everyone here.

Predictably, no one who's complaining about the auditoriums being cut from the budget could muster up an answer to these questions.

MCPS as a whole has been making poor financial choices leading to this crappy moment. My suggestion for drastic measures to save money that puts the least number of students in schools unable to meet their needs —ie no auditorium— is to look at elementary schools that are under capacity and not predicted to grow — there are many— and sort how closing very underutilized schools and sending students to other nearby under capacity schools might save money while still allowing all children to attend a fully build school. Also look at redistricting to allow students to attend schools when possible in walking distance and push MCPS to build sidewalks as needed so we can save on transportation. Both of these actions are sure to make lots of folk angry but would allow students to go to fully build schools and would allow the county to save money.

That's a valid, long-term move that could free up money for future projects. It would also take a significant amount of time and resources to complete.

But you're not answering the question that was posed: What will you eliminate from the current approved CIP pipeline so that the auditorium projects can be reinserted to take their place?

I think the answer from folks here is that nothing should be cut and that the County Council should have the courage to fund that which they've underfunded for decades, now.

But from WHERE? The money has to come from somewhere. Which couch cushions in the county coffers have $40 million up for the taking? Or are you advocating we cut something from somewhere else in the county budget to fund this? If so, what cuts are you recommending?

Um...increased taxes, school bonds, etc.

You cannot be paying attention to local politics nor what happened last year when taxes were increased to fund schools if you think another increase is on the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people who are upset about this, which projects that have been approved in the CIP pipeline do you want to see postponed so that the $40 million necessary to fund the auditoriums for Crown and Woodward can be put back into the budget?

There's no more money coming in. So some projects or elements of projects are going to have to be postponed or deferred. And someone, somewhere who's hoping and paying for whatever project gets deferred is going to be pissed off. There's no pleasing everyone here.

Predictably, no one who's complaining about the auditoriums being cut from the budget could muster up an answer to these questions.

MCPS as a whole has been making poor financial choices leading to this crappy moment. My suggestion for drastic measures to save money that puts the least number of students in schools unable to meet their needs —ie no auditorium— is to look at elementary schools that are under capacity and not predicted to grow — there are many— and sort how closing very underutilized schools and sending students to other nearby under capacity schools might save money while still allowing all children to attend a fully build school. Also look at redistricting to allow students to attend schools when possible in walking distance and push MCPS to build sidewalks as needed so we can save on transportation. Both of these actions are sure to make lots of folk angry but would allow students to go to fully build schools and would allow the county to save money.

That's a valid, long-term move that could free up money for future projects. It would also take a significant amount of time and resources to complete.

But you're not answering the question that was posed: What will you eliminate from the current approved CIP pipeline so that the auditorium projects can be reinserted to take their place?

I think the answer from folks here is that nothing should be cut and that the County Council should have the courage to fund that which they've underfunded for decades, now.

But from WHERE? The money has to come from somewhere. Which couch cushions in the county coffers have $40 million up for the taking? Or are you advocating we cut something from somewhere else in the county budget to fund this? If so, what cuts are you recommending?

Um...increased taxes, school bonds, etc.

You cannot be paying attention to local politics nor what happened last year when taxes were increased to fund schools if you think another increase is on the table.

They just want to keep increasing tax but then the money is still sucked by some blackhole they created and no money to renovate or build schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people who are upset about this, which projects that have been approved in the CIP pipeline do you want to see postponed so that the $40 million necessary to fund the auditoriums for Crown and Woodward can be put back into the budget?

There's no more money coming in. So some projects or elements of projects are going to have to be postponed or deferred. And someone, somewhere who's hoping and paying for whatever project gets deferred is going to be pissed off. There's no pleasing everyone here.

Predictably, no one who's complaining about the auditoriums being cut from the budget could muster up an answer to these questions.

MCPS as a whole has been making poor financial choices leading to this crappy moment. My suggestion for drastic measures to save money that puts the least number of students in schools unable to meet their needs —ie no auditorium— is to look at elementary schools that are under capacity and not predicted to grow — there are many— and sort how closing very underutilized schools and sending students to other nearby under capacity schools might save money while still allowing all children to attend a fully build school. Also look at redistricting to allow students to attend schools when possible in walking distance and push MCPS to build sidewalks as needed so we can save on transportation. Both of these actions are sure to make lots of folk angry but would allow students to go to fully build schools and would allow the county to save money.

That's a valid, long-term move that could free up money for future projects. It would also take a significant amount of time and resources to complete.

But you're not answering the question that was posed: What will you eliminate from the current approved CIP pipeline so that the auditorium projects can be reinserted to take their place?

I think the answer from folks here is that nothing should be cut and that the County Council should have the courage to fund that which they've underfunded for decades, now.

But from WHERE? The money has to come from somewhere. Which couch cushions in the county coffers have $40 million up for the taking? Or are you advocating we cut something from somewhere else in the county budget to fund this? If so, what cuts are you recommending?

Um...increased taxes, school bonds, etc.

You cannot be paying attention to local politics nor what happened last year when taxes were increased to fund schools if you think another increase is on the table.

They just want to keep increasing tax but then the money is still sucked by some blackhole they created and no money to renovate or build schools.

cut the developer subsidies and let it be market driven

[Anonymous]

They should not have extended virtual school if they cannot even fund the brick and mortar schools with fidelity. They should not be throwing away millions of dollars on useless programs like Leader in me and paying for useless professional development like the one in the fall that seemed to insult and outrage practically 100% of teachers. They could get rid of the useless mentor teacher program that is completely ineffective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for Northwood students.
They will have a rough commute, no sports fields, and now no auditorium. The school will not be fully finished either as some classrooms and labs, etc. will still be under construction in the fall.

When phase 3 occurs, is unclear. There is no timeline. Why is the construction happening at a snail’s pace?

Where did you hear this? Do you mean from the phase 2 part of the building (expected) or phase 1 (supposed to be done this summer)?

I am good friends with one of the RTs at Northwood. She said Northwood cannot use some of the classrooms and multiple labs because they won’t be ready in the fall. I am not sure what the timeline is for everything to be completed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should not have extended virtual school if they cannot even fund the brick and mortar schools with fidelity. They should not be throwing away millions of dollars on useless programs like Leader in me and paying for useless professional development like the one in the fall that seemed to insult and outrage practically 100% of teachers. They could get rid of the useless mentor teacher program that is completely ineffective.

I wish they would get rid of Leader in Me fully, phase out virtual school with this being the last year so families can make plans, stop restorative justice -so no more staff or training for that, move back to largely paper based work for K-5 and with that return to a cart model for chrome books rather than having each child need one. Making sure every child in MCPS has a working chrome book is just not possible and also not necessary for the younger grades when screen should be limited anyways.

Also, MCPS needs to push back at Montgomery county for not having enough social workers and mental health support staff available at the community run level for low income residents. It is absurd that Montgomery county expects MCPS to do the whole lift of mental health help for Montgomery county kids. Montgomery county needs to do a better job funding and running non-school based mental health programs and also family support programs and food resource programs. This cannot fall all on the schools. Schools need to use their budget for teaching not being the primary provider of low income social services. And, we need SROs back since the violence is just too much now. Teachers need to be able to teach without fear of injury.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should not have extended virtual school if they cannot even fund the brick and mortar schools with fidelity. They should not be throwing away millions of dollars on useless programs like Leader in me and paying for useless professional development like the one in the fall that seemed to insult and outrage practically 100% of teachers. They could get rid of the useless mentor teacher program that is completely ineffective.

I wish they would get rid of Leader in Me fully, phase out virtual school with this being the last year so families can make plans, stop restorative justice -so no more staff or training for that, move back to largely paper based work for K-5 and with that return to a cart model for chrome books rather than having each child need one. Making sure every child in MCPS has a working chrome book is just not possible and also not necessary for the younger grades when screen should be limited anyways.

Also, MCPS needs to push back at Montgomery county for not having enough social workers and mental health support staff available at the community run level for low income residents. It is absurd that Montgomery county expects MCPS to do the whole lift of mental health help for Montgomery county kids. Montgomery county needs to do a better job funding and running non-school based mental health programs and also family support programs and food resource programs. This cannot fall all on the schools. Schools need to use their budget for teaching not being the primary provider of low income social services. And, we need SROs back since the violence is just too much now. Teachers need to be able to teach without fear of injury.

The only schools that still have Leader in Me is those that wanted to keep it. Restorative Justice doesn’t need to be cut, it needs more support so it can actually be beneficial everywhere. Many grades in K-5 have already returned to a cart model. And unless you haven’t been paying attention to complaints about the current budget freeze but paper is expensive.

[Anonymous]

My high school didn’t have an auditorium. Assemblies were held in the gym, drama productions were held at a nearby school with an auditorium. Really not a big deal for a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high school didn’t have an auditorium. Assemblies were held in the gym, drama productions were held at a nearby school with an auditorium. Really not a big deal for a few years.

They have these incredibly lavish sports facilities which should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for Northwood students.
They will have a rough commute, no sports fields, and now no auditorium. The school will not be fully finished either as some classrooms and labs, etc. will still be under construction in the fall.

When phase 3 occurs, is unclear. There is no timeline. Why is the construction happening at a snail’s pace?

Where did you hear this? Do you mean from the phase 2 part of the building (expected) or phase 1 (supposed to be done this summer)?

I am good friends with one of the RTs at Northwood. She said Northwood cannot use some of the classrooms and multiple labs because they won’t be ready in the fall. I am not sure what the timeline is for everything to be completed

That sounds about right. Clearly displaced kids from down county don't deserve proper classroom facilities, anyway... /sarcasm

[Anonymous]

At least they'll have sports stadiums! We got our priorities straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least they'll have sports stadiums! We got our priorities straight.

Northwood kids won't!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high school didn’t have an auditorium. Assemblies were held in the gym, drama productions were held at a nearby school with an auditorium. Really not a big deal for a few years.

It is a big deal because auditoriums are booked year round so there is no chance to share. ICB rentals also send some $ to the schools that rent out their spaces, so schools with less spaces to rent will get less $

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school didn’t have an auditorium. Assemblies were held in the gym, drama productions were held at a nearby school with an auditorium. Really not a big deal for a few years.

It is a big deal because auditoriums are booked year round so there is no chance to share. ICB rentals also send some $ to the schools that rent out their spaces, so schools with less spaces to rent will get less $

The money schools get from those ICB rentals is not meaningful enough to make a huge difference for the schools....

[Anonymous]

Only in MCPS will people argue that auditoriums are unnecessary in schools.