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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.