Practically Speaking

Steve Schwai raised the issue of new construction $ being spent on athletic space vs. academic space during a board meeting.  It is a good question.  In answer, I believe the board determined that building new gyms and remodeling academic space was more cost-effective than remodeling existing space into gymnasiums while building new classrooms.  Unless one is simply opposed to more athletic facilities, I don't think this is a valid issue.

Kyle's reply: I would be one who is opposed to more athletic facilities. 

The new construction is gymnasium space, but there is a reason.  It is not to just benefit athletics.  Look at the plans and there are areas of  light blue that should renovation of current gymnasium space into classrooms for drama and/or music at both schools.  The gymnasium space is increased overall for both schools but physical education class are held in gyms and are currently overcrowded during class time just like math and science.  I disagree with the slogan ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS: VOTE NO.  Look at the projects completely before jumping to conclusions and make a well informed choice as to vote Yes or No.  

Kyle's reply: You have the right to disagree, of course, but please do not assume I have not looked at the plans.

I don't consider "renovating" or transforming the auxiliary gym into a black box theatre and Family & Consumer Science classroom and ripping out the lighting, raised seating, and stage in the existing little theatre in the lower level to become a computer lab and business class space to be that great of an idea.

I also do not believe transforming the existing gym at East, which is 2 stories at least, into the music/drama area--1 story--and then adding a new huge, multi-story gym and indoor track to be the best use of public money either. 

If the sport loving public wishes these types of facilities, then let them raise the funds for them privately.  

Athletics is a part of student's schooling experience Kyle.  Why shouldn't it get some priority in the remodeling of the schools, just like the Arts and Academics?

You seem to be against every part of this plan and you seem to use every available argument.....I'm surprised you are not making the arguement for virtual athletics?  Ha ha...

Kyle's reply: Athletics is an extracurricular activity; Physical Education is a requirement. Since the school was capable of accommodating a higher enrollment for physical education in past years, I don't see why there would be a greater need now. As a taxpayer, I believe I am responsible for providing a good education, not unlimited extracurriculars.

Parents invest in private pay opportunities for their children in other areas such as gymnastics, ice skating, dance, voice, music lessons, etc. Some kids participate in private soccer leagues. Some in Scouting. Should taxpayers be responsible for these too? 

Kyle, I agree completely with your reply to Bulldoggy. The plans are ridiculous  , totally  athletic in nature and not academically orientated. Brick and mortar spending, let the private sector improve the gyms like they did for the useless astro turf. Let the ego oriented athletic brains sell there macho image to those that will financially support that negative influence on education privately.

I really appreciate Bulldogg expressing his view so I really know how far off base one person is trying to support a very poor plan.

That astro turf has done nothing for education. Once again I thank you for your analysis of some out of sight plans. ACADEMICS NOT ATHLETICS, VOTE NO  as Bulldogg gave all the evidence to vote No, Kyle you once again have done a very good job of analysis with the facts. Your very precious time is really appreciated.

Uh-hem. Can we get back to why phy ed classes are "overcrowded" like math and science? I do believe it's that little non-resident enrollment problem again.

I was also disappointed that the black box theater (oops, excuse me, the board removed the word "theater" from the description because they knew it was a hot button issue) was included again. It's a lot of square footage that won't be used very often.

Three committees have come up with pretty much the same list of needs and wants.  I am not much wanting the gymnasiums.  I am puzzled by the black box space.  I'm still mad about the artificial turf.  Nonetheless, if these things are the price for improved academic and common spaces, I'm willing to go along.  Unanimity is nice, but sometimes compromise gets things done.  Central is a mess and it is time for some doing.

Kyle's reply: What is puzzling about the Black Box theater? 

The puzzle is "why."

Kyle's reply: Why have a Black Box Theatre? 

Hello Kyle:

    Please check -- You are erroneously reporting on the other blog that you write/operate, that the school district has removed an item from its website. We have not. It has been posted all along. I immediately went to the site to see if a link had somehow become inactive or wrongly directed. Neither is the case. In fact below, I have pasted the entire content of that page that you have reported as gone. I do not know whether the proper formatting will result from placing it here. It's direct address is:  www.elmbrookschools.org/.../displayFile.aspx

    Would you please correct the information you are providing. As your other blog states, you post information that you believe to be correct at the time, so there must be a misunderstanding or some sort. I don't think you would intentionally post a falsehood. Please check the district website again to confirm if you would like, at www.elmbrookschools.org. Portions are under construction and updates occur all the time. If you run into other problems please let me know.

    This has been a busy day, as all post-Board meeting days tend to be, but now that it's after-hours I was taking sometime to check the latest newspaper coverage and blogs. Thanks.

- Andy Smith

ACADEMIC BENEFITS

How Do Academics Benefit from the Plans for Elmbrook’s High Schools?

Renewed English, Math, and Social Studies Classrooms:

- Each school will have nine classrooms for each of these core areas.

- The classrooms will be grouped together by department.

  - The purpose is to facilitate communication and efficient use of resources.

  - At least two of the classrooms in each department will be 900 square feet.

    - The purpose is to accommodate any larger-than-average sections.

    - A flexible drama room known as a “black box”— (its walls and ceiling are painted

black)— will support the English department.

  - Adequate special education classrooms and intervention areas support academics.

Remodeled Science Classrooms:

- Each school will have nine science classrooms of roughly 1,420 to 1,440 square feet.

  - They, too, will be grouped together to facilitate communication and use of resources.

  - The large classrooms will be equipped with both lab and lecture areas.

  - They will be supported by teacher planning and secure chemical/equipment area.

  - A small greenhouse is attached to each school.

Renewed Foreign Language Classrooms:

- Each school will have seven foreign language classrooms grouped together.

- At least one of these classrooms will be 900 square feet for larger-than-average sections.

- A foreign language lab will support instruction and practice.

Expanded Library

- Each school will have a larger library (BCHS: 2,100 sq. ft. larger. BEHS: 2,800 sq. ft. larger).

- Resources/technologies are planned for individual, and for large/small group learning.

Updated Computer Labs and AV Classroom

- Each school will have three computer labs and one audio-visual classroom.

- Schools will have electrical capacity for computers, multi-media, and other technologies.

Expanded Electrical Capacity for Classroom Technology

- Each school will accommodate wireless technology access.

- All classrooms will have electrical capacity for multiple teaching and learning technologies.

Common Teacher Planning and Storage

  - Each school will have five areas designated as common teacher planning and storage areas.

- Teachers: English, math, social studies, foreign language, special education, intervention.

- These spaces also provide private areas for teacher conferences with students and parents.  

Accessible, Comfortable Classroom Environments for Teaching and Learning

- All classrooms will be handicapped accessible and served by new mechanical systems.

- These will improve lighting, air quality and exchanges, temperature and humidity control.

Added Student Commons Area and Gym Space

- Each school will have student commons space for study areas, student clubs and activities.

- Adequate gymnasium space will allow student athletes to finish practice in the late afternoons, get home earlier and have more evening study time.

                       (End - 416/16)

MG-AS\AVAILABLE FOR WEBSITE\ACADEMIC BENEFITS-2008 Referendum.doc

Kyle's reply: Sorry, Andy. Someone told me my Elmbrook link was not working and when I checked the page I got it from, I could not find it. Must have gone there while some "construction" was going on? I was away all day today, but I will correct asap. Thanks for the correct link.

Kyle's new reply 1 1/2 hours later. I tried you link, Andy, and I get, The page cannot be found for  http://www.elmbrookschools.org/.../displayFile.aspx

If the stance is extracurricular activities should not be funded then there are many spaces in the remodeling project that are not needed. A short list of extracurricular activities that will benifit the plan are: drama, forensics, various band groups, choir, orchestra, Odyssey of the Mind, and more.  I believe these groups as well as athletics contribute to a good educational experience. If we are looking for academic renovations only, maybe the slogan should be "Academics, Not Extracurriculars: Vote No".

I agree with Kathryn as to why have a black box theatre? What is the proposal for how often it will be used?

With all the negativity about the failed referendum and the currently proposed referendum, what should we do Kyle?

Not make any improvements to the high schools? Use open enrollment or the 220 program to send our children outside the district? Or since we save the tax money on the referendum, pay for a private school education?  Those options will also divert money from the Elmbrook District to other schools?

Everyone can point out what is not a good option but who has a viable option that will met the needs of the school district and the community?

I personally supported the idea of 2 new schools but as I know by the voting last year that the community did not.  The price on construction is not going to get any cheaper so let's not drag this out ten years to the remodeling of much less will cost the same if we had chose to build two new schools.

Kyle's reply: Since you asked, I will again state it. I believe we need to at least double our current capital improvement budget. In doubling it, the district can then make $1 million dollars worth of improvements every year or save up for a more costly project. Maybe we need to increase it by 150%.

There is no reason we should need a referendum to replace windows, lockers, lighting, etc. I believe other school districts work these replacements into their regular operating capitol improvement budgets--like we do with roof replacement schedule. Larger expenses may require "saving up" for those projects such as making a library improvement. Much of what is included in this referendum is standard maintenance.   

Let's take the chemistry room for example. How much is the renovation of the chemistry room that the district seeks? I don't know. I don't know that the school district does either. I requested that information after the last referendum but never received it.

How do we know we cannot afford it if we don't even know how much it is to do the work?

As for Forensics, Debate, band groups, etc. they are not as costly in their support structure. Those types of activities do not require special fields, grounds keeping, assistant coaches etc.
 

I don't know if Bulldoggy lived in Brookfield in the past, but they bought their current home in June 2007 for $330,000, and they are in favor of two new schools.  I might point out that I couldn't afford to buy a $330,000 house and I wonder if the "Yes" voters are these higher income people.  It would be nice if they would also give the info as to whether they have children in the system.  I have a feeling that people in higher income brackets want the best for their kids but don't want to pay for Brookfield Academy, so let the community provide it.  Not a reasonable position, and their arguments are so untrue as they make our high schools sound like they are falling down.

Good morning, Kyle:

I worked last night after the BEHS information session and tour in order to double-check all links on the 2008 Referendum section of the district website (www.elmbrookschools.org). I fixed those that we've been having trouble with and they should now work properly. The only links that should be inactive at this point are those for which the material is not ready, as yet, but soon will be. Thanks, everyone, for yours and everyone's patience with the time that it takes to get ready for the web and then post a massive amount of information, some of which are WORD documents, some of which are Excel documents, some of which are .pdf files, some of which have sublinks, some of which wil be video files, and some of which are links to other websites altogether. If anyone encounters a link that is not working (even if temporarily like the situation you encountered earlier this week), please let me know by email so that I can attend to it as quickly as possible. Thanks, again.

{Andy Smith, Director of Communications, Elmbrook Schools}

Kyle's reply: Thanks, Andy, for that update. 

Just a reply to questions post by INTEWEDM.  

I did by my home in 2007 and was not a previous resident of Brookfield.

I am slightly offend that you consider me "higher income" since my household income is signficantly lower than the median Brookfield household income, which is about $76000.  

I chose to move here to raise my son (not of school age yet) because I believe the community is a good place to raise a child.  I guess I don't know what the tuition is at Brookfield Academy.

My support for the schools is based on a value that education and the educating of our youth is a great investment in the future.  I agree that I do differ in opinion with some that I feel extracurriculars are a great way to enhance an education by the social interaction and building character in young men and women.  Also I support all extracurricular activities and have in the Elmbrook district for the past 5 years.

I am not even sure my son will attend the Elmbrook School district but still support the district.  And I do not plan to move in the next 30 or so years.

I have seen many high school facilities through out WI and believe that the high schools in Brookfield need serious attention.  Brookfield Central's general layout is poor and is by no means handicap accessible.  Brookfield East is better in layout but if you talk with those who work there (not administrators) it is in need of updating.

I do not disagree that many of the things should have been taken care of on an ongoing basis, but that was not done obviously.  Maybe Kyle's suggestion of increasing the capitol improvement budget can be an option.  That most likely will mean an increase in taxes for the district.  With the long list of things how great would that increase be?

Is the debate a question of do the high schools need improvement which will cost money or that money given to the district will be used in a responsible manner?

Does a household that doesn't utilize the school system vote against a school referendum because it does not benefit them?  Should school districts make their facilities more accessible to the general public so the whole community gets benefits?  Some examples of this would be to have a community theater group utilize the stage to put on productions or an adult sporting league to use the athletic facitlities? Great opportunity is if the fieldhouse is build at East to have times where the community can use it to walk in the winter? Have the students interact with the public to create a better community bond?

I believe everyone has valid points to make whether they have opposing views or not?  I feel that my views my be different from others on this blog but please don't make assumptions of my wealth or say my position is unreasonable.  There is more than one possible answer to situation and my understanding is a blog is a forum for open expression. If this is not the case, I am sorry that I interrupted your discussion.

Yes, a blog is a forum for open discussion, and sometimes you will find someone who forcefully and openly disagrees with you...PC be - - - - - - -*.  If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Anyone who wants to spend my money for their wants will find an unsympathetic opponent.  Most of the things you mention are unnecessary and are available at your own expense commercially.  What is needed for a good education is a qualified teacher, books, paper, and pencils.  It worked for millions of people for hundreds of years!

All this baloney about facilities is just for the birds.  You mention the "poor layout" of Central, but I'll bet the tens of thousands of graduates who are proud alumni would find that argument without merit

My opinion is that LIVELY debate is more interesting and entertaining that meekly "going along to get along".  One needs to present facts to prove points if common sense isn't enough, i.e. why would a new building increase test scores if everything else is equal?

Kyle's reply: *No cussing allowed.