I am troubled by what I am hearing from Pantele these days. It seems like he is playing politics with ADA school settlement/City of the Future money. Both Wilder and Council want to use the issue against each other, rather than solving the issue.
It sounds like the School Board chair, Braxton, is siding with Pantele and Council against Mayor, though that is not helping the schools or students either. Wolf is at least vocal and wants to see ADA solved, but I am not hearing much from our School Board rep, Carr.
If they are looking for “large renovation projects” (because that is what Pantele is insisting on), then Open High could certainly use a ADA elevator addition.
I find it disgusting that the City is giving 50 million to the VaPAF/downtown arts center, but can’t give squat to solve this ADA crisis NOW.
ADA Kids and parents are still suffering needlessly. Is the City waiting until they sue again? What’s it going to take, the National Guard, just like in Little Rock?
Proposal:
Fix up Open. Energy audit, put solar on the roof and make it part of the science curriculum, add ADA elevator and other needed items. Bring in Community High program from West End to Grace Arents building THOUGH keep Community High and Open High programs separate (keep good teacher/student ratio), Make sure at least some of the money from sale of Community High building sale goes back into school system (do NOT let developers have all the profits), Maintain Community and Open High’s building and standards (hello local media, they just won NATIONAL RECOGNITION!). Do NOT let Trani and VCU decide the future of Open High, but hopefully keep allowing Open/Community students attend some college classes. Bring in more community gardening and park service projects.
I would like to hear other suggestions.
Scott, Very good ideas and thankful that you continue to stand up for a stand up school. Read, and now can’t find, an article in RTD announcing the new name of VaPAF, and as I read it, I thought…Wow that is pretty clever, so if you were to google the new name, as an investor or something, the history of VaPAF isn’t there. Will look again for article. Thanks again, Rain
I would like to see our communities get involved and work out this whole issue. I feel like some of our best schools are designated to be closed merely because of the cost of renovating the buildings. Yet, as posted in the RTD today, many of the closed building still lie vacant. http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-12-17-0179.html
Another high-performing school that is slated to be closed is model school Belleview Elementary in Church Hill. It is housed in a historic building that needs ADA renovations as well.
Again, what about RPS?
Global Green recently finished our first Green Seed School, A.P. Tureaud in the upper Seventh Ward of New Orleans.
Global Green oversaw energy efficiency upgrades that will eliminate 247,768 lbs of carbon per year, saving the school $24,500 in utility bills.
These savings were achieved through simple environmental measures that include:
*eco-shades to improve natural lighting and reduce heating and cooling requirements
*occupancy & daylight sensors to keep lights turned off when they are not needed
*replacement of incandescent bulbs with 32-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s)
*caulk and weather-stripping around windows and doors
Through our Green Seed Schools Program, Global Green will utilize the upgrades at A.P. Tureaud to continue to educate students about conserving energy.