Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2007 > January > 23 > Entry
A school in Triangle Park?
Triangle Park in summer
A bunch of angry people showed up at the Dayton school board meeting Tuesday to protest a plan to build the district’s new Montessori elementary school in Triangle Park. They were outraged that the city commission would vote on the sale or lease of the land for the school in emergency action early Wednesday morning.
There was just one problem. There isn’t even a hint of a plan for a new school in Triangle park from either the city commission or the school board.
At least not yet.
The district’s plan for some time has been to consolidate the three Montessori schools it currently operates at one school site where the Patterson Career Academy now stands at 441 River Corridor Drive.
That plan was complicated last year when a development group announced a plan for a massive project of housing and shopping around nearby Fifth Third Field. The development plan required the city to obtain the Patterson site so it could be included in the development.
That ruffled a few feathers over at the school district, where administrators viewed the River Corridor site as one of its premium properties and an idea site for the Montessori school, which they hoped might draw new families into the district by catering to parents who work downtown.
Even so, preliminary discussions began about the Patterson property. One of the key questions was where else the Montessori school might go.
At Tuesday’s meeting, board member Mario Gallin acknowledged that the city had taken a group of Montessori parents on a tour of other properties. Some were commercial spaces. Two were on part of the Kettering Fields park land. But she admitted the group visited Triangle and was taken with the site there.
But that’s as far as it went, she said. City officials warned that neighborhood meetings would be needed before any other discussion of Triangle Park could go forward.
City Commissioner Nan Whaley confirmed late Tuesday that there is no plan for a school in Triangle Park and she is not aware of any plan for the commission to vote on anything related to the park Wednesday. None of the commissioners have even been briefed yet on the idea of a school in the park.
So there you have it. There appears to be some interest in the park as a school site on both sides, but nothing is imminent.
A few other interesting notes from the school board meeting:
—There was no action with regard to Kiser Elementary School’s principal job, as had been expected. But Superintendent Percy Mack said after the meeting that former district administrator Cheryl Johnson will be named principal soon for the remainder of the school year.
—The district’s operations manager, Larry Hoskins, said his department is purchasing a few GPS tracking devices for vehicles. The devices can be stuck to any vehicle with a magnet and they collect information on where the vehicle travels for up to four days, but the data cannot be tracked in real time. Hoskins said the devices cost about $300 a piece and will not be placed on all vehicles. They will be used only to investigate complaints or concerns about misuse of district vehicles.
—Bus driver Kelvin Holiday expressed concern that there was not enough supervsion in the transportation department and he was concerned that slow response time from supervisors could create a dangerous situation in an emergency. Superintendent Percy Mack suggested he raise the concern with managers in transportation and with the union-management committee.
(Image credit: Jan Underwood, DDN)
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By airfatman
January 25, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
I did not attend the DPS Board meeting, but I did view the Dayton City Commission meeting on TV � and thought the comments from DeWeese/Ridgecrest residents were measured and on-target, conveying that their goal is to save their neighborhood park. Although there appears to be no imminent plan to place a school at this site, the fact that the citizens are participating in a dialogue with school and city administrators bodes well for the community. The dialogue surrounding the rebirth of Dayton�s schools and the exciting prospects for downtown development, and the impact of these civic improvements upon their neighborhood, should not be forestalled � better to enter the conversation a little early than a little late! Given Dayton’s long history and national renown for citizen participation in government, this would appear to be another example of such healthy public discourse; and if a formal process begins for the consideration of building a school in Triangle Park, then I feel confident that concerned citizens will be invited to participate in a more formal dialogue and process. I challenge all citizens to become more informed about the new day dawning in Dayton and to become more involved in maximizing the benefits of the coming explosion of economic development.By bruce
January 25, 2007 7:11 AM | Link to this
The City of Dayton has proposed giving away Deeds and Triangle Parks, two of the most important and historic parks in the City. City leaders, please realize that green space and parks are vital to urban areas, not fluff to be given away to solve short-term problems. Where would New York be without Central Park? Let’s restore the parks, not give them away.By Scott Elliott
January 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
In response to John, the Sunshine law only allows public bodies to privately discuss the price the are willing to bid on a property if there is reason to believe disclosure of that information could provide a competitive advantage to another bidder. This has not occurred with regard to the Triangle Park situation. Real estate deals certainly are not “exempt from public disclosure.” The law does not require real estate talks to be held in private. Rather, in my view, this exemption to the Sunshine Law is one of the most specific, hardest to justify and most frequently abused privileges of public boards. But that is moot here. Neither the city or the school board has held an executive session to discuss Triangle Park. It is clear a deal regarding Triangle was discussed at the staff level and it may, in fact, seem like a good idea to staff on both sides. But it’s also clear, as we reported today, that a deal was and is far from being made. District and city sources made that clear. The rumor that the city would vote with regard to Triangle did not add up last night and proved untrue today. This is something to keep an eye on if you are interested in Triangle Park, but it is far from imminent.By John
January 24, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
I appreciate Scott’s interest in writing about the schools but his lack of knowledge about the Sunshine Laws, real estate deals and inside scoop on City Hall deals is glaring. Real estate deals are exempt from public disclosure under the Sunshine Laws to protect the deals from price manipulation. It is important that public officials not reveal any information on real estate deals for the same reason. Duh. No official is going to say anything about a deal in the works. Many City Hall and DPS worker bees are very aware of the deals just like most of us are aware of some of the deals that are taking place in our workplaces. The inside word at COD and DPS is that a deal has been made and that citizen input is a bother but will not stop the completion of the transaction. I try to always get my information from multiple sources. Its has been easy on this deal. I wish DDN was better connected - too bad the remaining staff is stretched so thin. Scott, I appreciate you trying.By Sharon
January 24, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
The area is filled with crime. I wouldn’t take mysekf there, let alone a bunch of innocent, young children. I believe the idea to clen up the crime and use the area forfestivals is a good one, we do need our green areas, not that many left around the Dayton area. But if the use of the park is going to be for anything at all, including a park, the police need to be more visible.By Dave
January 24, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
You can’t change a historic site? You can’t make it safe or update the facility? What nonsense! Please read the rules for historic sites, or at least drive past Stivers. Or look at the handicap elevator at the Old Courthouse downtown.By Squeaky Wheel
January 24, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
The fact that the City even showed DPS the Triangle Park land as a potential school site is disturbing… let’s KEEP some urban greenspace! Whether or not it’s actively “used,” greenspace is a buffer between residential and commercial — and a beautiful, shady reminder of slower, more peaceful times.By cost too much now
January 24, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Well don’t be suprised when the city votes to put the old Dayton Christian (currently temp Stivers) location on the Historic register and the board is forced to spend even more money and not get a new building. Last I heard lead paint was bad, but as historic you will not be allowed to change the site. I would rather see my children in a new school that is modern and has the safety advantages of new designs… not to mention that is a very rough neighborhood.By Mark
January 24, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
I suggest the school board consider turning Patterson-Kennedy into the Montessori school. It’s close to the center of town; it’s an historic property since it was John Patterson’s “laboratory” school in the late 19th century and should be preserved; and it already belongs to DPS. Right now the school is scheduled for demolition, probably because it’s so close to the hot real estate on Brown St. Still, I think the board should consider it.By Oldprof
January 24, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this
The river corridor development seems to be generating speculation, rumor, and fear—is that par for the course? Personally, I think the city ought to take a fresh look at the area, one not involving for-profit developers or urban crusaders. I’d like to see Triangle Park become the venue for the various festivals that currently take up downtown on several weekends per year—build some permanent stages and better restrooms over there, make it the HQ for Cityfolk and Celtic Fest, Women in Music and so forth. I have often sweltered in July heat on the blacktop before the main stage at those festivals; I’d enjoy the relative comfort of grass and shade trees. Those parking lots that currently hold the vendors and stages could be used as—oh, I don’t know—maybe parking lots???