Get Schooled

By Ernest

September 16, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

In fairness, this is a ‘crap shoot’. These discussions are generally held in private so that school systems won’t encounter ‘speculators’ looking to maximize the price of land. Some areas are also ‘overbuilt’ which means school systems may look at property condemnation more as an option.

Paying a fair price for construction is a function on the leadership in place heading this effort. If a construction professional is heading this effort, more than likely they will advocate best on behalf of the taxpayers. We’ve seen instances in the metro area where ‘subbing’ out construction management has caused some challenges.

FWIW, I heard something interesting in this area the other day. Everyone can acknowledge the price of building commodities has gone up, partly due to increasing fuel prices. A friend in construction mentioned that labor prices have gone down slightly because of the competitive nature in hiring good help. It seems the supply of construction workers is higher now (no surprise given the economy), the demand has fallen off some, which drove down pay in certain instances. Long story short, good deals can be had, at least in the short term, with construction.

By jim d

September 16, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Are cheaper properties better? You decide.

Sycamore Elementary School

Go ahead—mapquest or google earth it and take a satellite view.

By TheBlogger

September 16, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

With the prices of homes and property decreasing, it is hard for me to believe that the true cost doubled in the last two years. Something sounds fishy!

By teach1

September 16, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

So are you saying it does not exist? I did not see any structure on map quest or goggle earth. Of course those pics can be 2 years behind. I found this out by looking for my home 2 years after I moved in and could only find construction equipment in the neighborhood.

By Dr. Craig Spinks/Augusta

September 16, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

When is the last time YOUR local school board called in qualified, experienced auditors from outside our state to evaluate its financial, instructional, personnel and student disciplinary policies?

By jim d

September 16, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Teach 1,

Unfortunately it very much exists.

Try this one

You’ll note it is surrounded by a landfill. (another of our GCPS-BOE’s wonderful choices)

By jim d

September 16, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

A new HS athletic building???

A trifle $5.5 million plus or minus

By TheBlogger

September 16, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Dr. Spinks, An auditor simply makes sure that 1 + 1 = 2. This is not the issue. The issue is that 1 is too much or is given to one’s nephew. An auditor won’t catch that type of “error.”

We need some sort of ethics auditor. This person would ensure that $1000 isn’t spent on a toilet. Or, that a million dollar contact doesn’t go to the BOE sister.

By jim d

September 16, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Blogger,

Or that board members company hasn’t done work for the system—tucked away as a 6th or 7th teir sub contractor??

WOW, they’d have to be good!!

By JeremiahWright

September 16, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

I’m more concerned about the fact that “Lake Forest Elementary” is located on Lake Forrest Drive (note the two Rs), but one R was left out of the school name on purpose. “Forrest” was the name of a confederate general at one point, and someone was afraid of offending the students and parents, who overwhelmingly are illegal aliens. Disgusting.

By catlady

September 16, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Or that a BOE member’s child is given a job (for which she is qualified) but she does little or nothing except check her email (little working with kids, for example, comes in late and leaves early, for example) and seems immune from reprimand.

Or that the BOE, in a quest to get a certain coach, sweetens the deal by giving his wife a job she is not certified for and is allowed to come in late, avoid those pesky extra “duties”, etc. and the principal is not allowed to reprimand her.

Or that some teachers have very little planning time build into the day and others get 2 hours, or get extra pay for “extended day.”

I am sure there is such a thing as a functional auditor who could catch such things, IF ACCURATE INFORMATION WAS SUBMITTED.

By Whycee54

September 16, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Why don’t the powers that be ever ask teachers what they need? Back in the days of Zell Miller, all of the schools were given giant satellite dishes that were never connected. WASTED MONEY. This year all of the schools in my district received giant tvs in every classroom with only 3 channels??? what a waste. How about a projector so we can use computers with our students or more paper for copying important resources. or even more money for pencils and paper which many students fail to bring. How about a field trip fund so that Georgia students get to experience the area instead of never going anyplace because of lack of funding. ASK TEACHERS. THEY KNOW BEST.

By just a teacher

September 16, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

In the interest of balance, I would point out that FCBOE has issued a response to the AJC article. Just sayin.’

[http://www.fultonschools.org/story_detail.asp?id=2200]

By Lee

September 16, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Once you get past the four or five metro school districts, I doubt you will find a system that has anyone with knowledge of construction project management. To make things worse, they ususlly put the most incompetent central office hack in charge of construction because they figure that is the one place they can cause the least amount of damage. Little do they know.

My county school district cannot let a janitorial contract out without getting into a mess. Heaven forbid they try to manage a construction contract worth $20-25 million.

While we’re talking about waste, how about my county’s practice of building a new school and closing down a perfectly serviceable school it replaced. They can’t find the $5 million to renovate, but they can find $25 million to build new.

Aw hell, it’s only taxpayer money. Go for it.

By Steve

September 17, 2008 5:19 AM | Link to this

I am mad and frustrated. The system I live in just built a new high school because the old one was falling apart and unfit fot teachers and students. Then they closed the middle school that was 12 years old and very nice to move them to the old falling apart high school that was falling apart. How does this make sense? School populations have dropped about 20% in the last 10 years and they build a bigger school. They spend huge money on a new athletic (football) complex, pay out huge for a new coach and staff, cut out academic field trips and have a 40% drop out rate. Yes, education is seriously broken and needs to be completely restructured.

By Rick

September 17, 2008 6:52 AM | Link to this

The definition of an idiot is some one who does the same thing over and over and expects a different result each time. Keep sending the kiddies to the government for an education. You get what you pay for. What do you expect? How can you look at your children who you want the best for and send them to public school simply because it is the easiest thing to do?

By TheBlogger

September 17, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

Rick

First of all, the definition that you gave is not for the word “idiot” it is for the word “insanity.”

Secondly, you are oh-so-wrong to make a blanket statement about all public schools. Not all of them are bad. In fact, many of them are superior to any private school. And, some of those public schools can be found right here in the Atlanta area.

Similarly, it is oh-so-wrong to make the reverse statement…. that all private schools are great. Just because a parent shells out thousands of dollars to a private school does not make that school excellent.

Either way you go - public or private - it is up to the parent to investigate the school and the education that they supply. If you want to go the public route, you need to be sure that the public school in the area that you are living in is a good one. Or better yet, you should become involved in your public school to improve it.

This issue is separate from wasteful spending in education. Budgets and spending are not controlled by the teachers in the classroom that are giving your child an education. That is controlled by the administrators and primarily the Board of Education.

It continuously amazes me how so many people can form such strong opinions when they know so very little about the issue. Now, let’s go vote for the President of the US. LOL!!!!!

By DeKalb High School Teacher

September 17, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

I voted for SPLOST III in DeKalb County because Cross Keys High School was on the list to receive 16.9 million dollars for renovations. They were supposed to get a new HVAC from SPLOST II. Work was started but never finished, and the school never received the new system.

This time, DeKalb has decided to take that 16.9 million dollars and use it to relocate DeKalb High School of Technology North. The majority of the funds appears to allocated to the relocation and NOT the renovation. Cross Keys is an old building. To my knowledge, it has never been renovated. And this will be the 2nd time the school will not receive the SPLOST funded improvements it was promised by the county.

Parents, teachers, and students have demanded to know why this is happening. The response has been curt, rude, and vague.

I wish the media would get involved because many feel that (gasp) DeKalb is being unethical.

By catlady

September 17, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

A nearby system bought a big tract out in the country that did not have the infrastructure available (roads, water, waste). Spent a bunch fixing the land. Then the administrator in charge supervised the thing being started sixteen feet off from the surveyed position which required a great deal of money to fix.

The people need to be well informed and ACTIVE with that knowledge. Even when a school is needed, even when a site is good, it is a very important that the people be informed with all the facts, instead of being presented a fiat accompli.