tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post6734811816815283077..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Construction Bond Funding for DeKalb County Schools: Requesting Equitable FundingCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77306907316177131382009-02-17T21:30:00.000-05:002009-02-17T21:30:00.000-05:00@Cere: "go here and search projects by Schools -ht...@Cere: "go here and search projects by Schools -<BR/>http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_program/Schools"<BR/><BR/>That site is an advocacy site for projects proposed by mayors, not a list of "what is in the bill."<BR/><BR/>I'm no expert on these matters (who is?) but I believe the "Stimulus" package just defined each of the massive wheelbarrows of dollar bills going to various federal agencies to disburse.<BR/><BR/>So, I think it is an avenue to express "public support" for any of the items the mayors have on their list that they want a federal agency to fund from stimulus dollars. Since we don't have a mayor of DeKalb, we won't see any DCSS items on that list! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12370262506542935052009-02-17T15:07:00.000-05:002009-02-17T15:07:00.000-05:00go here and search projects by Schools -http://www...go here and search projects by Schools -<BR/>http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_program/Schools<BR/><BR/>All I see for GA is $33 million for Macon and some for Marietta. But the search is by city - not by county... <BR/><BR/>Millions upon millions went to Los Angeles, Miami, etc. <BR/><BR/>Did anyone catch the Yahoo news headline today about the most deserted cities (people leaving due to foreclosures, etc) -- Las Vegas, Detroit, Atlanta -- we were third! Yikes!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48311756973208957972009-02-17T12:58:00.000-05:002009-02-17T12:58:00.000-05:00Everything I've researched on the compromise bill ...Everything I've researched on the compromise bill does NOT explicitly include dollars for school renovations. The earlier House version included over 36 million dollars for DeKalb. Has anyone else seen anything of significance?pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21257359518746009222009-02-16T12:13:00.000-05:002009-02-16T12:13:00.000-05:00From the Ed Money Watch blog --Although the Senate...From the Ed Money Watch blog --<BR/><BR/><I>Although the Senate bill originally included $19.5 billion in school construction funds ($16 billion for K-12 and $3.5 billion for higher education), the adopted version does not. However, the Senate maintained $1 billion in funding for Education Technology Assistance Grants under the School Improvement section of the bill. These grants provide funding to schools and states to use technology to improve student achievement. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, the adopted Senate bill allows states to issue $10 billion in federal tax credit bonds for school construction that will save states $4.5 billion in interest payments over 10 years. Many organizations report the $4.5 billion federal cost of the credit rather than the $10 billion face value of the bonds. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, the bill allows an increase of $1.4 billion to the total value of issued Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for charter school construction.</I>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13569473188450152892009-02-14T13:34:00.000-05:002009-02-14T13:34:00.000-05:00Wow - 600 trailers!!! If there are 25 students in...Wow - 600 trailers!!! If there are 25 students in each trailer - that equates to 15,000 students in DeKalb County enduring their classes in a trailer at any given time.<BR/><BR/>That's more students than most school systems even have!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63206371811498570742009-02-13T18:08:00.000-05:002009-02-13T18:08:00.000-05:00I work in the environemtnal field and work in a LE...I work in the environemtnal field and work in a LEED certified building. The county should not waste time and money on the certification unless the federal government or some other entity is footing the bill. But DCSS should incorporate cost effective and energy efficiency in all new buildings. There are plenty of energy efficient "shovel ready" projects the county could implement over breaks and the summer such as better lighting, water saving toilets and sinks and most important of all- replace all those crappy single pane windows in the buildings from the 50s and 60s with new energy efficient windows.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64987807206781481242009-02-13T15:47:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:47:00.000-05:00Anon @ 3:01, it is the certification process I was...Anon @ 3:01, it is the certification process I was referring to. As indicated, I understand buildings will be constructed/renovated to the standard, we just may not get the formal certification.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31630567391937627802009-02-13T15:01:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:01:00.000-05:00I've heard that LEED buildings only cost 3-10% mor...I've heard that LEED buildings only cost 3-10% more than regular construction, and there are sometime federal funding programs and foundation grants available for LEED construction. I say it may be a little more, but spend the money upfront to save long term.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-22661803962396186582009-02-13T13:37:00.000-05:002009-02-13T13:37:00.000-05:00Anon @ 12:46, good information! I also understand...Anon @ 12:46, good information! I also understand members of that committee want to ensure communication is handled properly. Advertisement for meetings in general can be improved.<BR/><BR/>Good news is that SPLOST revenues are running about 25% higher than projected, despite the current economic woes. There were also discussions about redoing the priorities, based on common sense changes that should be made. A presentation is tentatively scheduled to be made at the March Board meeting, which I think will be at Druid Hills. I you can't be there, I would suggest watching on Comcast 24.<BR/><BR/>Also, O&T has been a big advocate for more LEED certified buildings also. As I understand, while the building will be built/renovated to meet LEED certification, is is somewhat cost prohibitive to actually get the certification. It comes down to a matter of the best uses for our limited dollars.pscexbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634017508215285786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-62524916039510867992009-02-13T12:59:00.000-05:002009-02-13T12:59:00.000-05:00Clayton $4,316,934DeKalb County $1,203,680Clayton'...Clayton $4,316,934<BR/>DeKalb County $1,203,680<BR/><BR/><BR/>Clayton's enrollment shrunk dramatically. And they got more than three times what DeKalb got?<BR/><BR/>This has to be FIXED NOW!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-22699606702248394682009-02-13T12:56:00.000-05:002009-02-13T12:56:00.000-05:00I've heard from a SPLOST III Committee member who ...I've heard from a SPLOST III Committee member who I respect and trust that things are going much, much better than SPLOST II.<BR/><BR/>Part of the problem is that communication about SPLOST, whether from the committee or DCSS is poor. The committee meetings need to be open to the public. There doesn't have to be a public comment part that takes an hour, but at least advertise the meetings better and make sure the meeting agenda and minutes are posted online, along with the member list with short bio's.<BR/><BR/>The public has a lot of questions. Cross Keys was No. 2 on the SPLOST III list, and is still a mess. Lakeside High is one of the worst high school facilities in the Southeast.<BR/>Arabia Mt. High is LEED, why aren't the other new and renovated schools?<BR/><BR/>If things are going well with SPLOST III, the public needs to be in the loop. It's common sense and so easy with the internet. Heck, have DCTV broadcast the meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66596643333907221932009-02-13T07:00:00.000-05:002009-02-13T07:00:00.000-05:00Great Post!Great Post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com