tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post3484774041494105690..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: The Case for Re-allocating SPLOST 3 Funding and Re-writing the Rules for Arabia's EnrollmentCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-81966396435414784472010-01-03T13:44:50.562-05:002010-01-03T13:44:50.562-05:00I also found the information in the article about ...I also found the information in the article about the land swap interesting... hadn't heard this before - Sonof - you might know more about this:<br /><br /><i>A long-anticipated environmental theme high school in Lithonia moved closer to fruition Feb. 21 when the DeKalb Board of Commissioners approved a land swap with the DeKalb School Board.<br /><br />Five of the board's seven commissioners voted to approve the resolution swapping 80 acres of land near Murphey-Candler Elementary School with the School Board to build the 228,250-square-foot, state-of-the-art high school. Commissioners Larry Johnson and Elaine Boyer were absent and did not vote.<br /><br />In return for the land swap, the county will get three parcels of land owned by the Board of Education — 15 acres on Rogers Lake Road, 2.9 acres adjacent to the Tucker Recreation Center, and 20 acres along the South River that includes access easement at M.L. King High School — and $1.5 million to cover the difference in the appraised property values. <br /><br />The funds will be reimbursed to the county's 2001 Park Bond Funds account from which the 80 acres were purchased.<br /></i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51797662641951618712010-01-03T13:42:40.514-05:002010-01-03T13:42:40.514-05:00Just wanted to add, yet another news quote from Pr...Just wanted to add, yet another news quote from Pre-Arabia - where the school system "sold" the project on the premise of relieving over-crowding in area schools -<br /><a href="http://www.crossroadsnews.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Land+deal+moves+theme+high+school+forward%20&id=1445787" rel="nofollow">From CrossRoads News</a><br /><br /><i>The new school, which will seat 1,800 students is scheduled to open in fall 2009. Anderson-Littlejohn said it will help reduce overcrowding at Martin Luther King Jr. and Lithonia high schools.</i><br /><br />Take special note of the original capacity number - 1800 - not the 1600 we're now being told.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-5356374302173201732009-09-04T18:31:36.342-04:002009-09-04T18:31:36.342-04:00So- any reports on the enrollment numbers at Arabi...So- any reports on the enrollment numbers at Arabia? Where did the students come from ? Is MLK still over-crowded? <br /><br />I wondered, but can't find info at the website. I did find their alma mater song lyrics - <br /><br />ARABIA MOUNTAIN HIGH<br />By: Lawrence D. Robinson<br /><br />From the busy streets and houses to the fields of verdant green, we have come from every nation with a goal and with a dream. <br /><br />We will not be silenced, nor will we walk in fear. <br /><br />Our lives are filled with purpose, and that is why we’re here.<br /><br />(CHORUS)<br /><br />Arabia Mountain where the best and the brightest go, where success is taught and achievement brought as we learn, and we yearn, and we grow.<br /><br />We treasure our environment. We respect both earth and sky. We will do our best; conquer every test at Arabia Mountain High!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-22647392857269025892009-09-01T20:49:00.917-04:002009-09-01T20:49:00.917-04:00Just wanted you all to see the numbers regarding t...Just wanted you all to see the numbers regarding the budget -- below is a comment I posted at the Dunwoody Talk blog -- you need to know this -<br /><br />The blog posting states -- <br /><br />"I know DeKalb County Schools are broke." <br /><br />That is sooooo not true. They are just the most bloated, bureaucratic, poorly managed school system I've ever witnessed. <br /><br />The 2009-10 budget when you add up General<br />(K-12), Special Revenue, Debt Service, Capital Outlay, Sch. Nutrition & Athletics, Trust & Agency, the Total is an unbelievable $1,705,739,249. (General operations accounts for only $904,769,030 of that.)<br /><br />Divide the first number by 98,500 students and you get an unbelievable $17,317 per student. <br /><br />If you simply go by the General operations budget, the per pupil expenditure is a mere $9,185.00.<br /><br />DeKalb, however, claims to only spend $8584.00 per student. hmmmm. I guess they carry a lot of the budget over to things like debt service and lawsuits.<br /><br />I'm thinking - we might want to revisit this voucher idea.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85915073812690029322009-09-01T20:13:00.067-04:002009-09-01T20:13:00.067-04:00Forgot to include the link to the Dunwoody Talk bl...Forgot to include the link to the Dunwoody Talk blog<br /><br />http://dunwoodytalk.blogspot.com/2009/08/plans-to-resolve-elementary-school.htmlCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67390206787001514522009-09-01T20:09:28.259-04:002009-09-01T20:09:28.259-04:00Let me add more to the soup. This is from the &qu...Let me add more to the soup. This is from the "Dunwoody Talk" blog -<br /><br /><i>The new school on Womack Road, Dunwoody Elementary, is about 25% vacant. Yep, the new school that no one wanted to attend a year ago has one in every four seats open. Vanderlyn numbers are a bit higher than DeKalb thought they'd be. Vanderlyn is 134% capacity with only grades K-3. Austin is 117% capacity without their 4th and 5th graders. Both these schools will continue to see growth the next few years. </i><br /><br />It is really obvious - that our school leaders are much more likely to succumb to the pressures of vocal community members or board reps, rather than just making plain old data-driven decisions.<br /><br />In a time where we have almost a 50-50 makeup of over-crowded and under-utilized schools, DCSS leaders have actually chosen once again to spend SPLOST dollars to build a school that will not be filled for quite some time - and leaving others still over-crowded.<br /><br />This is not rocket science. What in the blue blazes is the problem? Why do we keep spending millions of dollars to build schools which are so low in enrollment that they echo. We then leave many other schools over-crowded or in horrible disrepair. <br /><br />My big concern is - what's going to happen when we've spent all of our money on a few "Taj Mahals" and then when we are finally ready to turn our attention to the issues of crumbling old buildings and over-crowding we find that we have no more money left.<br /><br />It's a very real possibility. Write your board rep and encourage them to spend the SPLOST dollars wisely - please!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56005134819133901982009-07-18T16:35:28.301-04:002009-07-18T16:35:28.301-04:00A late update - (an article I somehow missed in th...A late update - (an article I somehow missed in the AJC back in April - I think it was in the Fayette edition)<br /><br /><i>DeKalb school officials plan construction changes<br /><br />By KRISTINA TORRES<br />The Atlanta Journal-Constitution<br />Saturday, April 18, 2009<br /><br />DeKalb County school officials will ask board members next month to approve changes to the system’s $466 million construction program. A draft report released Friday contained good news for Lakeside High School in Atlanta and an expected pull-back at Lithonia High in south DeKalb.<br /><br />Some details:<br /><br />No go<br /><br />The system is not building a 31-classroom addition at Lithonia High School. The $11 million project is not needed, school officials say, since a new high school nearby will do enough to ease overcrowding at Lithonia High. The new campus, Arabia Mountain High School, opens in August.<br /><br />Hot tickets<br /><br />The system added plans for a 31-classroom addition at Southwest DeKalb High School in unincorporated Decatur, and a 28-classroom addition at Lakeside High. Southwest DeKalb, which has 36 portable classrooms, is over-capacity by 413 students. Cost of the addition: $10.2 million.<br /><br />The 44-year-old Lakeside is over-capacity by 364 students. The new classrooms would come in addition to previously approved plans to spend more than $11 million for a new auditorium and “career technology” classrooms. Cost of the new classroom wing: $11.7 million.<br /><br />Funding<br /><br />Proceeds from a countywide penny-on-the-dollar sales tax have so far beat expectations by $24.1 million. The system will save $11 million by not building at Lithonia, with an additional savings of $750,000 by eliminating another small project. The state also helped pay for some construction. Net savings: about $59 million. The recommended changes, which also include roofing and technology improvements, would commit $37.5 million of that money, with the rest held back for anything unexpected.<br /><br />What’s next<br /><br />A formal presentation will be made May 4, with a vote by board members expected May 11.</i><br /><br />It has all since been approved.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8704594619191017602009-07-10T19:40:19.631-04:002009-07-10T19:40:19.631-04:00From Community Radar --
Some folks that follow t...From Community Radar --<br /><br /><i><br />Some folks that follow the progress of the DeKalb County School System have begun to question the leadership's use of the soon-to-open Arabia Mountain High School. There are a handful of questions circulating but the item being most discussed is what seems to be an evolution in how the System intends to utilize the high school.<br /><br />During planning, I understand a key justification for the high school was to relieve overcrowding at 3 surrounding schools. Now, it appears that the school will do very little "relieving."<br /><br />I stumbled on this article in the Champion documenting the ground-breaking ceremony. At the end of the piece a quote by Jay Cunningham, BOE, makes it clear what his expectations were for Arabia Mountain HS: “Last time I counted, MLK had more than 30 trailers,” said School Board member Jay Cunningham, in whose district the school sits. “Growth is outpacing the school system. This school will go a long way in helping us with a major overcrowding problem.”<br /><br />I wonder what the count of trailers at MLK will be this August?</i><br /><br /><b>Told ya!</b><br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">http://www.championnewspaper.com/local34.html</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41539664672736529982009-05-08T15:27:00.000-04:002009-05-08T15:27:00.000-04:00for a tour of arabia -- click here --
http://cha...for a tour of arabia -- click here -- <br /><br /><A>http://championnewspaper.com/arabia_pics.html</A>.<br /><br />This school is probably only a mile from the Rockdale county line - so many they will eventually pull from there -- it's much less of a commute. They're going to need to get students from somewhere -- since the school is now a choice or magnet or whatever - and you have to apply and be selected - it limits the applicant pool.<br /><br />Nice school - too bad it's only for special applicants. If they would just accept transfers without so many strings - they could relieve over-crowding elsewhere. Those 1000 kids are going to have it really, really nice though. Lucky.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91881359758545343762009-05-06T13:30:00.000-04:002009-05-06T13:30:00.000-04:00To link to updated information on the severely dec...To link to updated information on the severely declining enrollments in South DeKalb, check out this report on the blog - you will see that our high school total enrollment has dropped another 1,610 students. We now have at least 4,500 available (empty) seats in our high schools.<br /><br /><A>http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2009/04/check-out-these-numbers.html</A>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91809133379804317882009-04-04T18:34:00.000-04:002009-04-04T18:34:00.000-04:00I have new numbers -- We have a serious problem. W...I have new numbers -- We have a serious problem. <BR/>We are under-capacity by well over 3,000 seats in our high schools! And the BOE is still planning to add classroom additions to Miller Grove - which is currently UNDER capacity by 330 students!! <BR/><BR/>MLK will get an addition - and it at first glance, it would appear that they need one - as they are OVER capacity by 446 - HOWEVER - Arabia will pull most of those in - along with many more from Lithonia, which has 45 available seats, and the plans for an addition have been wisely dropped.<BR/><BR/>The money for the classroom additions to MLK and Miller Grove are unnecessary. They are not fiscally responsible. The money should be spent where there is currently serious over-crowding with no escape (Arabia is not a feasible choice for Dunwoody or Lakeside students) - or the building is so old and decrepit as to be deemed unhealthy and/or unsafe -- again Lakeside - and to a worse degree, Cross Keys.<BR/><BR/>I urge you all to demand an audit of the planned SPLOST spending to find out if the plans are in the absolute best interest of the taxpayers money and the students who must spend their days in these buildings. I am very close to engaging in a discrimination lawsuit - especially over the situation with Cross Keys - a majority Hispanic school - which is being virtually dismissed by our BOE.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16382736273079312862009-03-14T07:05:00.000-04:002009-03-14T07:05:00.000-04:00I just want to make sure that this quote from the ...I just want to make sure that this quote from the Demographer's Report is included in this thread,<BR/><BR/><I>By the early to mid part of the next decade the high school enrollment for the<BR/>district is projected to be approximately 4,500 students above instructional capacity. To<BR/>remedy this situation the district should strongly consider building new high school<BR/>facilities and /or expanding several of the current high school buildings where land and<BR/>logistics permit. The area with the greatest need for this expanded capacity is the east/east<BR/>central section of the district and the north/ north east (Dunwoody- Tucker-Lakeside)<BR/>region.</I>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45759229077926006182009-03-09T15:49:00.001-04:002009-03-09T15:49:00.001-04:00For those who are considering becoming champions f...For those who are considering becoming champions for the Cross Keys Indians, here is the latest from the school. Vote for my blog posting to keep this circulating in the coming days/weeks. The faculty and students at Cross Keys are gaining more of my respect by the day:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.communityradar.com/story.php?id=7094" REL="nofollow">Cross Keys Students Acheive in Spite of Obstacles</A>Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15276502402202447162009-03-09T15:49:00.000-04:002009-03-09T15:49:00.000-04:00No. It's up to the board members to report and ad...No. It's up to the board members to report and advocate for their schools. The other members have no way of knowing what's going on in schools in other districts (we can't expect them to each visit all 150+ schools.) Take pictures. Take along the construction people so that they can write up recommendations. <BR/><BR/>The board can then make decisions based on the information brought to the group in open meetings - not based on who best lobbied whom behind the scenes. <BR/><BR/>It's teamwork vs collusion.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52862307117298178102009-03-09T15:36:00.000-04:002009-03-09T15:36:00.000-04:00@Cerebration: But then wouldn't I be guilty of try...@Cerebration: But then wouldn't I be guilty of trying to influence Don's system wide priorities? :)<BR/><BR/>I hope to have much news from Cross Keys by April. I am moving on many fronts to try and "get the ball rolling." As you know, there are virtually zero organized efforts on behalf of this cluster. DCSS districting of recent years has nearly assured this is a lost cause ... St. Jude?Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47460923341949124722009-03-09T15:28:00.000-04:002009-03-09T15:28:00.000-04:00Drag Don McChesney over there. Ask him to lunch a...Drag Don McChesney over there. Ask him to lunch at Cross Keys once a week. Take him for a nice tour and a stroll around the grounds. It's his "district" - he signed on to the task and should not be allowed to only focus on the Sagamore boundaries and Lakeside HS.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37843543353360550552009-03-09T15:22:00.000-04:002009-03-09T15:22:00.000-04:00@cerebration: Thank you for the contact name - I c...@cerebration: Thank you for the contact name - I checked and all slots are taken. I will not be able to attend early enough to sign-up for alternate position. I looked over the agenda and though you never know where things will really go in the business meeting, I wasn't inspired. I will make an upcoming meeting and definitely add some pizazz with a public comment!<BR/><BR/>@pscexb: I have sent my concerns to each Board member, Dr. Lewis and Patricia Pope. So far, no acknowledgment though I know they are busy.<BR/><BR/>pscexb: "FWIW, I'm aware of some folks in the community willing to 'squeak' for those that may not have the wheels that others do."<BR/><BR/>Name names, my friend, name names ... I have been digging around Cross Keys community and there is no one squeaking other than teachers as far as I have gathered so far. kim@communityradar.comKim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29858204679367660102009-03-09T15:15:00.000-04:002009-03-09T15:15:00.000-04:00"However, are you willing to say the same thing to..."However, are you willing to say the same thing to Sandra Purkett, Marney Mayo, Lynn Deutsch and the toilet guy?"<BR/><BR/>Sure am. Using the kids as pawns makes Jackson stand out from the rest though.<BR/><BR/>Again, free speech is great and hugely important, but do Jackson, Purkett, Mayo and Deutsch realize their comments are much more effective if they don't speak at every single meeting?<BR/><BR/>When you sign up to speak at every single meeting, a) it's kind of rude, selfish and self-serving, and b) it becomes more about you, your ego, and you wanting to hear your own voice then it does about ideas, constructive criticism and open dialogue.<BR/><BR/>Let's work to open up more speaking slots for the Ella's, the Ernest Brown's, the psc's, the Cere's, and the No Duh's of DeKalb. Just as the BOE needs some fresh ideas and viewpoints, it would be cool to hear some fresh ideas and viewpoints from the public at BOE meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-35221397239213412612009-03-09T14:46:00.000-04:002009-03-09T14:46:00.000-04:00She's using BOE meetings to hone her kids' public ...She's using BOE meetings to hone her kids' public speaking skills -- remember they are DESA kids. Problem is she's writing their "material" and they can't even read it!! It annoys me, too.<BR/><BR/>However, are you willing to say the same thing to Sandra Purkett, Marney Mayo, Lynn Deutsch and the toilet guy? All or some of those people have been on the list at virtually all the meetings I've been to in the last seven years.No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75061324734302637912009-03-09T13:00:00.000-04:002009-03-09T13:00:00.000-04:00"Once again, the Jackson 3 have taken up 3 slots f..."Once again, the Jackson 3 have taken up 3 slots for DESA comments"<BR/><BR/>Does anyone know Ms. Jackson well enough to tell her her act wearing thin/no longer effective/just too much? Trotting out her two children every single meeting is a farce. Let them stay home and do homework or have some time to just be kids, instead of being pawns for her various crusades. Plus the BOE meeting room is packed beyond fire code capacity. Good luck getting out with all that TV camera equipment if there's ever an emergency.<BR/><BR/>I'm all for free speech, but she's a broken record, and using the kids for sympathy doesn't work when they are there for every darn meeting. Give some others a chance to be heard. There are over 700,000 people in the county. Let's give some new speakers a chance to give input and maybe present a smart, fresh idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-72236356341660647492009-03-09T12:33:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:33:00.000-04:00Kim, I would also suggest emailing all the board m...Kim, I would also suggest emailing all the board members along with the superintendent of your concerns. Work is being done on Cross Keys now however there are legitimate questions as to whether there is enough funding to address its many needs. It would 'make sense' to address some of the needs at this time while scheduled work is occurring. This would depend upon the needs of CK being 'as great' as the other needs in the district along monies being available.<BR/><BR/>FWIW, I'm aware of some folks in the community willing to 'squeak' for those that may not have the wheels that others do. The key to remember is that the staff makes the recommendations and the board approves the plan and expenditures. <BR/><BR/>Call me naiive but I think it is a <B>good</B> thing that a mid program assessment is being done and that we will not perform projects that don't make sense anymore. I don't envy the district going to the communities that will have projects delayed/deferred and explaining to them why it is being done.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43205384995928673142009-03-09T11:54:00.000-04:002009-03-09T11:54:00.000-04:00This is exactly the kind of comment that the Board...This is exactly the kind of comment that the Board needs to hear. I would suggest that you attend the Board meeting tonight at 6 pm at <BR/>Robert R. Freeman Administrative Center <BR/>BLDG A,<BR/> J. David Williamson Board Room, <BR/>3770 North Decatur Road, Decatur<BR/><BR/>Go early - Immediately get your name on the list of alternate speakers or try to sign up quickly today by contacting <BR/>MARGARET_C_FRANCOIS@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us<BR/><BR/>Once again, the Jackson 3 have taken up 3 slots for DESA comments, however, the purpose of the public comments is to allow everyday people like you to voice your concerns about your schools and implore the Board to take some action.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63759630831054991602009-03-09T10:53:00.000-04:002009-03-09T10:53:00.000-04:00@Cere: Perhaps this is why BOE members have often ...@Cere: Perhaps this is why BOE members have often acted like area supers and get involved where we'd otherwise wish they wouldn't need to be involved. Seems as if the Superintendent has an enormous amount of power and there are no structural guarantees that they share that power with area supers.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure I'll be forever labeled as the guy who thinks everything revolves around Cross Keys but ... when I look at the recent history at Cross Keys and its feeders, all I see is orphaned schools that due to lack of organized, local advocates have been allowed to be at the bottom of every priority list.<BR/><BR/>Now, everyone is saying we are going to the right thing for "the system." I am concerned that once again Cross Keys and its feeders will be at the bottom of the list for any "extra" attention.<BR/><BR/>I think Cross Keys is the perfect litmus test for the "new way of doing things" at DCSS. If the Board and Dr. Lewis bring "extra" resources and focus to bear on Cross Keys and its area, I will be a convert. <BR/><BR/>If the era of "what's best for the system" is no better for Cross Keys than the "bad old days" of local deal making, then what is the message to Cross Keys, the Latino community, the Brookhaven area, and all tax payers?<BR/><BR/>The feedback I have had from the current administration is that Brookhaven's "anglo" kids are in private schools and that the Latino families don't demand service so they don't get it. Both are wrong-headed suggestions. Let's see what happens now ...Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75809706835892310702009-03-09T10:10:00.000-04:002009-03-09T10:10:00.000-04:00Just noticed this is the blog topic for the AJC to...Just noticed this is the blog topic for the AJC today. It will be interesting to see what others say.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46312753278847383462009-03-09T10:08:00.000-04:002009-03-09T10:08:00.000-04:00Hey folks, I've been away for a few days catching ...Hey folks, I've been away for a few days catching up on work and getting ready for youth soccer season. Thanks goodness gas prices have gone down over last year making those out of town soccer tournaments a little easier.<BR/><BR/>I thought Kristina's article was a 'fair and balanced' one. In fact, several things that I have mentioned have been captured in several of the recent comments. This is a two step process. The first is for Ms. Pope to recommend to the BoE that several projects should be delayed/deferred and those monies go back into the 'pot'. Two projects that 'may' be in this category are the Lithonia classroom addition and HSTN roof repair.<BR/><BR/>As I understand, an independent panel evaluated the existing needs of the district and will help to re-prioritize them. I'm sure they will look at the list used to create the current CIP then factor in needs since that time. This will be presented to the superintendent for review then to the board. I'm sure there will be discussion at this point. Shortly thereafter (the second step), the board will vote on the new plan.<BR/><BR/>This <B>should</B> be a blind, needs based process. We can't let the 'squeaky wheel' dictate how the priorities are set. If done in a transparent manner, we should feel comfortable about the final recommendation.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.com