Schenley High School is basically saved, right?Everybody now realizes that asbestos remediation would really only cost around $7 or $8 million, plus certain logistics (which would be incurred either way), is that correct? We all have come to learn that despite its advanced age, the old girl still works like a Swiss watch?
We don't have to take you through the architecture and the feng-shui lecture again? We don't have to explain how the geographic and economic diversity of its student body is a big part of that formula? So it's not going to be "saved" just to become a designer school, right?
That's the plan? No particular need to hold this matter over the heads of the teachers union as a looming variable during negotiations?
I think you are making a big assumption about the fate of Schenley.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think that there is good news about the school staying around?
That is a ploy -- lower the guard and then -- bang. The one's with the dumb plan go full speed ahead.
We made the fight to keep Schenley when they closed 20 schools. The HIGH SCHOOL was in the "RIGHTSIZE" mix among all the elementary schools. That fight was waged and won. Then it came up again.
There was a plan to close schools to save money. But, now the play is to open new schools.
There was a plan to make K-8 schools. Now there is a plan to make 6-12 schools.
The K-8 schools are not doing well.
The new ALAs (Accel. Learning Academy) are not working either.
The looming strike will allow them to pull a fast one.
"Looming strike" -- see, I think that's sort of a ploy. If the teachers union is making threats, I don't want to disarm them, but my impression is there's no looming strike on the horizon. No interest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mark Rauterkus on this one. PPS staff are saying they tried to save Schenley, it just isn't possible. I DO think that if the teachers strike, Roosevelt is going to blame everything on them - i.e. as he alluded to yesterday when pressed about positive news re his school reforms to date, he said he expected significant improvement in year two, but that could all go out the window if the teachers strike. There is also a whole lot of information (or misinformation) out there, but it seems the board almost never votes on anything - and if I hear one more catchy marketing phrase, I'm going to vomit. There was an exchange yesterday where the Solicitor, Ira Weiss, was asked if something HAD to be voted on . . . in other words Roosevelt is going to keep moving forward until the board or the public screams STOP!!!!
ReplyDelete