|
Those ECC-Maret discussions apparently have only been about Maret using the athletic field and "the smallest of its four buildings" on campus.
http://eccofdc.org/the-episcopal-center-for-children-is-in-discussions-with-maret-school-about-open-space/?fbclid=IwAR3ltWU727xFxgky4pu7rQYo0MNNU53DmRwIYTEVMWR7sMmbYghmSwx6MbU |
Families that live in $1M houses all over the city have access to free PK3 via the lottery. In fact, I do. You need to be advocating for free, high quality preschool all over the district so that free PK is truly universal. You don’t want universal preschool, you just want to be sure that someone who could afford something doesn’t have equal access to taxpayer funded services. This attitude doesn’t help improve citywide services (e.g., please just raise my taxes to pay for things for other people vs. raise my taxes so that everyone can have access). |
Shh! No one is commenting on this because the building wasn’t even for rent and only tinfoil conspiracy theorists believed it was true! |
They started off insisting it was for sale and alleged that DCPS was lying when they said they didn't know about it. Then they finally admitted that it wasn't for sale, but DCPS should rent it for them anyway. Then DCPS told them no, so the lead wingnut made up her own enrollment numbers that conflict with the official numbers to use to advocate for larger class sizes and using outdoor space for trailers - anything to ensure OOB kids don't get in. They were told no again, so now they're waving their hands about saving PK, when in fact the only way to save it is to take the PK building. |
The press release announcing the arrangements specifically says that the ECC is happy to talk to others about renting the other buildings. |
| What is the latest on what is happening ? |
| I think the PK move is a done deal. They are accepting “comments” on the plan right now but that is probably just a formality. As for the ECC property, why would a private entity ever want to make a deal with the DC government if they can get literally millions in rent from a private school? Maret will no doubt agree to pile tons of money into improving the property and in the meantime the Episcopal church can use that money to further its mission. I do wonder how much athletic space Maret can possibly need. They have a Huge field on their property as well as the Jelleff space and now this. It seems like overkill to me as they are actually a very small school. |
You're not entitled to demand that DCPS rent the building of your choice for you! They're looking to purchase a building, not pay rent and put money into updating a building they don't even own and isn't more central for future use! |
Nope. Gov Public funded PK should only go to those who can’t afford private. It’s a waste of tax money to be paying for PK 4 for a family making upwards of $350,000! Many families at Janney, Mann, Lafayette etc are pulling in way over that amount. They need to do the right thing and pay childcare. |
That’s a policy decision and DC has decided not to make it means tested. There are pros and cons of course - pros being that there is more overall support for universal programs than for programs targeted for the poor. See social security, Medicare (basically sacrosanct) vs Medicaid, food stamps, welfare. |
If they were to make PK means tested, it would be by individual income, not neighborhood. I would guess that 99% of dcum posters fretting about the PK3 lottery wouldn't qualify. Is that what you are suggesting? |
|
We just read that many students are failing due to the pandemic. I can’t believe DCPS is investing resources and intellectual/admin bandwidth on maintaining or even expanding PK at Lafayette. Of all places. What a scandal.
And that’s not even taking into account all the Urgently needed money which will be spent on free testing, social services, and health care Bc of the pandemic. Again, it’s not just a matter of money. .1 percent of DC residents have actually died of Covid so far. Why is Lafayette even on the radar? Outrageous. |
We bought a house in the city honestly in part because Pre-K 3 & 4 meant we could afford a slightly larger mortgage. And as our incomes have grown, we've stayed in the city because it's our community. And the city is now making way more off our income taxes than what it would have cost us to pay out of pocket for preschool. So it's a pretty strong investment for the city - they got a good ROI out of subsidizing preschool for my kids. Thinking a little longer term is better for everyone. |
This. 100%. The money and resources should go to communities who are unable to afford other options. |
You are overestimating DCUM posters incomes. The previous poster threw out the $350K threshold. We and most of our friends that check this site don’t make that kind of money. If you make a lot of money it’s shameful to take from DCPS, that has 80% of its students from low income households. Have some pride, pay for your kids education until they reach kindergarten. Lafayette doesn’t need this new building. Many other schools do! Lafayette had a recent renovation that cost upwards of 70M. Within the last 10 years! |