Kyle and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1986. She became active in local politics and started blogging in 2004. Her focus is primarily on local issues but often includes state and national topics, too. Kyle looks at things from the taxpayers’ perspective in a creative, yet down to earth way, addressing them from a practical point of view.
If you took the tour of Brookfield Central, no doubt you were shown that classroom with only 3 functioning outlets. I have spoken to other people who toured at differing times, and they said they were shown those outlets too.
My tour group consisted of an Elmbrook student parent, a resident electrical contractor, and myself. Principal LaBonte made a point of showing my tour group this room as an example of how the high schools were in such dire need of upgrades.
As I glanced around that room, I could not help but notice a whole bank of surface mounted outlets and data ports running along the wall. There were over 10 of them. “What about these?” I asked. The principal made some lamenting mention of how those were part of some grant years ago, but the project was never finished, because THEY RAN OUT OF FUNDS.
Our little tour trio looked at each other and said, “What?”
The electrical contractor said that was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard of. Why was the job started and left unfinished? The contractor should have been made to finish the job.
I said it was, “Shameful”. The principal looked at me questioningly. I said it was shameful that the normal maintenance staff electricians did not finish the job in-house.
Principal LaBonte said he did not know much about it; the project was before his time at the school.
I did a little digging about the woeful long since abandoned electrical/data port outlet project.
The wiring project was part of an Oct. 18, 2001 “TEACH Technology Wiring Loan.” totaling “$1,153,374.50”, according to Bob Borch.
According to Dave Ross, Elmbrook’s Director of Facilities Management, The TEACH Wisconsin project “provided for data wiring and extra panels and outlets for computers throughout the district--for some strange reason, it did not provide for energizing those panels (running wire to activate). When we originally went out for bid, the cost for energizing the panels was broken out in the bid package. If I remember correctly, that cost was about $1.5 million - a bad case of sticker shock ensued.
Realizing that we needed to get things up and running, our electricians took on all the service upgrades and energizing of panels that needed to be done with the exception of the high schools. Of course it was done over time but saved the district about $400,000.
The high schools weren't done because at that time, the conversation was starting about what needed to be done with the high schools.”
The other schools in our district were finished in-house, which was a good way to complete the project. BUT IT WAS THE DISTRICT’S CHOICE NOT TO COMPLETE THE HIGH SCHOOL WIRING PROJECT, BECAUSE THEY WERE ANTICIPATING THE COMING REFERENDUM.
It is one thing to make a decision not to do something, it is quite another to make that decision and then point out that lack as evidence that we need an improvement referendum!
Energizing the system would be difficult. After the fact projects usually are. But they managed to complete all the other schools. Other school districts frequently do this kind of work. If our district had no plan to complete it, why was it started in the first place?
That project was 6 years ago. If this referendum does not pass, it will be how many more years of “only 3 working outlet” woes?
My tour guide pointed this out as an example of our facility needs. I point this out as an example of how our district manages our facilities.
"The Tale of Three Outlets" tell it all!
Reader Comments:
Reader 1: The outlet story is another prime example of waste, poor planning and mismanagement... ...Also, if the outlets were so needed six years ago, and the referendum just a pipe dream, how did the students manage for so long without them? The board just doesn't understand that past decisions catch up with them sooner or later. There's another million that could have been spent more wisely."
Reader 2: "Thank you for addressing this in you blog. This was brought up during our tour as well...and we had the same reaction that you had. The principal was able to pay for phones in each classroom out of his budget...he was also able to pay for the upcoming video surveillance that will be installed next year - regardless of the outcome of the vote (which of course is never mentioned in all of their "Facts" sheets about lack of security.) Money could have been found to finish this project as well over the last 6 years. Gross negligence and deception on behalf of the district."
Reader 3: "I am so disgusted. The district never recognizes how much of the taxpayer's money they've wasted with their poor administrative practices. Matt Gibson smiles and tells you how you don't love your children if you don't give him the money he wants. Humbug!"
Reader 4: "Great article today!! Just like Walter Reed Hospital, they held off fixing because the new one opens in two years and lo
