State High Vision Update
State High Vision
State High Vision Update
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Ya gotta see it to believe it. Once again we have to ask the CDT “were you at the same meeting?” The CDT’s reporting of the Monday’s SCASD board meeting and the alleged conflict and “petty” behavior was nothing short of inflammatory and a blatant attempt to feed controversy where there isn’t any.
Despite irregular application of policy by SCASD administration in the acceptance of an “anonymous” donation and in the subsequent proposal to name the track facility at the South Building, the board members present at the meeting (mostly new board members at that) graciously voted 6-0 in favor of the project. How does a unanimous vote qualify as conflict? Discussion and differences of opinion are a healthy part of any decision making process (as we hear the CDT so frequently demand from Harrisburg). We agree that the reading of a prepared statement after a vote has taken place might be considered negative, but the comments prior to that statement were positive and NEUTRAL and involved questions about PROCESS. The board members were doing what we voted them to do – watch over our tax dollars and look to protect the interests of the district (as well as any potential future donors). Please take the time to watch the meetings replay on CNET (Comcast Channel #98) to judge for yourself. Times are listed below.
Friday, August 15 – 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 16 – 8:00 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Presentation Tonight! The SCASD board will hold a work session TONIGHT August 14 from 5:00 – 9:00 in the Mt. Nittany Middle School Library. Please try to attend! This work session and presentation by John Boecker, an architect with 7group, will focus on high performance aka “sustainable” buildings for our district. The issue of energy efficient buildings using GREEN design and environmentally friend materials is a hot topic and an important one for our district. GREEN buildings are generally less expensive to operate and lead to better performances/less absenteeism for the people who are in them. Building GREEN is better for our community. Hope to see you there!
The SCASD moves forward! With the board’s approval of an update of the District Wide Master Plan (DWMP), we made a huge step forward in resolving the issues of recent years. You may remember that the district last completed a DWMP in 2001, based on the 2-building configuration for the high school. When the 2 building renovation plan was thrown out for the plans for the MEGA SCHOOL, the community asked for information on how/why that decision took place and how they were able to circumvent the PA Department of Education (PDE) requirement which mandates that a facility update occur within 2 years of any building project. This recent vote to update the plan will provide the district with information to prioritize building issues within our district and with background information to assist in developing our path for the future. Thanks to the SCASD board for putting their differences aside and working together on this decision.
High School Educational Specification Study Approved! Along with the DWMP, the new board has approved the first study in recent years to determine what is needed at the high school. Why is this important? This study will provide an opportunity for administrators and teachers to talk openly with independent and objective planners (who do not have potential financial gain in the design of a building) about how much square footage and what types of amenities are needed to teach our secondary students. It will let us determine issues like number of classrooms and office space needed while also asking teachers how they might best configure the high school. It will let us balance NEED versus WANT. By gathering this information, the district AND THE COMMUNITY will have the necessary information to eventually determine if the current 2- building configuration on Westerly Parkway is the best way to deliver secondary education in the SCASD.
Under the guidance of the professional firm DeJong, Inc., the community will be asked to attend several community meetings for information gathering, citizen input and to help the district prioritize the needs for our community. Are the issues at the elementary schools more important than the high school? Do we need to start looking at two high schools? This process will BEGIN those conversations. We encourage the community to participate.
Check your email for updates on the community involvement process.