Practically Speaking

Wow. Looks like Elmbrook missed again. Why wouldn't they repair such an obvious problem? Could it be that a leaking roof gathers referendum yes voters?

Seems to me that your reader's comment speaks volumes about the need for additional training in basic writing!

Aside from that, I agree with him / her completely. After all, once the sump pump fails, don't we all rush down to our favorite lender and take out a several hundred thousand dollar home equity loan for major renovations?

Hey, living within ones means is like riding a Harley with a helmet: boring!

Let's see...my house was built in 1962 and it should probably be torn down and replaced with a new one.  Absent that, it should at least be gutted and the rooms enlarged and modernized with the latest gadgets.

Now why in the world was I so foolish to put on a new roof, aluminum trim, and new vinyl siding for a cost of about 10% of the cost to do the above remodeling that any "Yes" voter would op for?  Silly me!

Agree on the need for better writing skills. If this person is a graduate of the EBSD, then the school system failed to educate. I suspect, however, that the writer is a student--since they use the histrionic language, punctuation for emphasis, misspelling and syntax of a youthful writer.

Excellent observations winegirl!  I might also add that if this person IS still a student I hope they aren't yet in high school.  If a high school student has such a poor command of grammar it would prove what I'm always saying that facilities don't make for quality education. I notice that the ESB gives themselves an A for teachers but one must grade the product to see if that is warranted.  I for one think there is a general lack of English skill among most of the public that is less than 40 years old.  Read almost anything on the internet if you don't agree.

I am unsure why I am taking the time to write this but I need to tell you that you are sadly mistaken when it comes to the facts.  This proposal is very much more academic than athletic.  Every classroom will be updated to meet today's technology needs, libraries will be expanded for the academic need (currently students can't get into the libraries to do research if a class is using the space).  Science labs will be expanded and made safe for today's academics.  Academics and the arts will be enhanced because current gym space is being repurposed.  It is more cost effective to build gym additions vs. classroom additions.  Further the gym space will be used by our entire community (Park and Rec -- seniors will have a walking track instead of the mall which have kicked them out -- and we will be able to gain revenue by renting out the space).  Believe it or not only the crowded stairwells are being expanded so they can meet ADA standards.  Only 2 classrooms per core will be expanded and the room utilization will be 80%.  This is a plan that even Cindy said she thought she could support. It meets our academic needs and is fiscally responsible.  A home built in the 60's has most certainly been updated.  It is time for our schools too.   Believe me I have done my homework, I have spent seven months reviewing every part of this project.  I have made compromises.  There is no perfect plan but this one is fair!

Kyle's reply: Molly, please don't confuse my lack of support for this referendum with your idea that I don't think some things need to be done.  Obviously my idea of a "need" is different from your definition of a "need."

I do not doubt your sincerity and zeal for the project, but I still see too much "fat" in it. And as for Cindy, I think it is best she speaks for herself.

Is there anyone remotely connected with the school district or school board who rubs shoulders with folks making less than $200K a year?

"Every classroom will be updated to meet today's technology needs"

Having spent 40 years in Software Engineering, I can assure you that the only high school classroom accouterments required to meet or exceed today's technology needs consist one good teacher, and one desk and chair per student. The same essentials that could be found in any classroom of the fifties.

The notion that we are doing something good for our kids by getting them on the internet asap is baloney. They need lots and lots of Math, Science, Math, English, Math and Social Studies. Oh, did I mention Math? And a bit of foreign language and Music to boot.

Unless, of course, you are intentionally training them to become a bunch of $8 dollar an hour dolts, dependent upon foreign workers to provide the 'heavy' thinking in tomorrows America. This is "Bill Gates" vision for America. It ought not be ours.

But then we don't need schools at all, do we?

Sorry Kyle. I'll get a blog.

Kyle's reply: No need to get your own blog, Elf, unless you want one! Your comments are welcome. I would add Art and Industrial Arts to your list of "bits".

One only has to look at many private school and homeschool test score statistics to know that the tech. goodies do not make the student.

I wish I would have payed better attention to the tech. updates to the classrooms on the Central tour. I did note some LCD projectors in the chem. lab and graphic arts room. There may have been more.  

Molly Steffen, I'm embarrassed for you. Bad move using my name when you said: "This is a plan that even Cindy said she thought she could support."

I said I supported the concept of remodeling over building new when those plans were pulled out in that morning meeting, NOT that I supported this referendum. There were no numbers attached when the press picked up on my comment. The school board hadn't yet worked their magic to dilute your effort.

So, Molly, what do you have to say about the fact that the school board arbitrarily added classrooms to your plan? They also expanded the size of some classrooms. The taxpayers PAID for a professional enrollment projection and then the board added 10% to the enrollment numbers. Does that mean this referendum is 10% more expensive than it should be?

It looks like the Elmbrook school board circumvented your effort completely. It's too bad they made it so easy to say no after your months of hard work.

What about Kyle's argument that "a home built in the 60's" could be updated a little at a time with regular income and not a taxpayer mortgage? You pretty much ignored her position when you ripped on her to support your own.

Kyle's OPINION is that too much is spent on new athletic space - her fact is that 97% of the new construction is for the gym. I double dog dare you to show me exactly where she is "sadly mistaken when it comes to the facts" of this blog post. You may disagree with her opinion, but the fact stands. Why don't you look on the district's Web site and see how much of the dark new construction space is for athletics?

Tuesday's Journal Sentinel reports that Brookfield Academy is planning a new and larger high school.  They want to increase enrollment from 237 to 320.  They probably expect an increase, possibly from parents pulling their students out of public school before the O.S. curriculum is fully implemented?  Maybe we should wait to see if their proposal is accepted before we increase our capacity.

The Brookfield Academy proposed project is a good example of how private enterprise can get more done for the same or less amount of capitol. The public sector just squanders dollars on meaningless things. The over emphasis on the athletic areas are just not needed.

The athletic department does fine the way it is. Kyle's remarks about a simplistic approach to class room improvements says it all. You just get sick and tired of the foolish wasting of taxpayers funds. i.e. another remodeling of city hall, more gym space, it just goes on and on. Just another vote NO here.

You just wonder how Brookfield Academy can raise the dollars they need, pay cash for the improvements needed, no interest expense, fine educational product out the door, and less emphasis on athletics . There tuition charges for each student goes towards education and not debt retirement.

I would be curious if they have a budget for funding there teacher retirement agreement's in place. I know we don't. Mr. Gibson doesn't bring up that subject at this time and neither is the board discussing it right now. Millions and Millions of dollars needed for that one. Like Tommy Thompson said, "Stick it to um".

Molly supported the first and second referendums to at up to double the cost, so why would we think this time it's the right one?  Not in a million years!  I believe that all the "needs" can be met for less than $20 million.  All the undefined drivel about "today's academic needs" is silly.  Books, paper, and pencils along with a competent teacher will give one an excellent education.  I know...I got one and I've done well in "today's" world.

Often it seems that whenever people disagree with the school district about a program change such as