July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Middle ground on school project (12/4/04)
Opinion
The process has been flawed. But what about the project itself? Does it make sense?
Admittedly, when folks feel things are being rushed on them, there's an inclination to be negative. When in doubt, say no.
But this isn't some rogue version of the Jay School Board that's come under the influence of the Drunken Sailor School of Public Spending.
These are well-meaning, thoughtful people.
They're offering up a plan they think makes sense.
Are they right?
The short answer: Yes, no, and maybe.
Certainly a solid case can be made for an upgrade of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at Jay County High School. Though it’s often thought of as a “new” building, the school will be 30 years old next year.
The HVAC system is showing its age and is woefully inefficient in terms of 21st century energy standards.
But if the HVAC investment is the most easily defensible part of the package of high school improvements that’s been put together, the award for the least defensible has to go to that part of the plan which calls for creating new classroom space where the current swimming pool is located.
The high school was constructed with an enrollment of about 1,900 students in mind. Today, it’s used by fewer than 1,100 students. A study for the school corporation a few years ago determined that 30 to 40 percent of the high school’s educational space is unoccupied at any given time during the school day.
Under those circumstances, the creation of new classrooms hardly seems justifiable or prudent. And if new classrooms were actually needed, it’s difficult to see the sense in placing them smack dab in the middle of the athletic wing of the building.
The toughest call — and the one sure to provoke the most debate — involves the plan to add an auxiliary gymnasium and construct a new, larger swimming pool.
Proponents of the second gym argue that it would benefit a number of high school sports, not just basketball, and that it would eliminate the need for practice sessions at Pennville Elementary School or in the early hours of the morning.
Skeptics point to the addition of community gymnasium space in both Portland and Dunkirk in the past couple of years and argue that high school athletes have coped without an auxiliary gym for the past 30 years.
The swimming pool question is even more problematic.
Showing its age, the pool is in serious need of an overhaul. But with repairs estimated at something like $600,000 and no guarantees of effectiveness, a case can be made for replacing the pool entirely.
Unfortunately, because all of these projects have been bundled together in a single proposed bond issue, sorting out the justifiable from the unnecessary won’t be a simple matter.
On the other hand, as we understand it, the bond hearing scheduled for Dec. 20 establishes a maximum limit for how much can be borrowed. There’s flexibility to go below that maximum without shelving the entire idea.
If the public gives voice to its concerns and the board can un-bundle the numerous projects, there’s still a decent chance that a revised, less expensive plan for capital improvement might be put together. — J.R.
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Admittedly, when folks feel things are being rushed on them, there's an inclination to be negative. When in doubt, say no.
But this isn't some rogue version of the Jay School Board that's come under the influence of the Drunken Sailor School of Public Spending.
These are well-meaning, thoughtful people.
They're offering up a plan they think makes sense.
Are they right?
The short answer: Yes, no, and maybe.
Certainly a solid case can be made for an upgrade of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at Jay County High School. Though it’s often thought of as a “new” building, the school will be 30 years old next year.
The HVAC system is showing its age and is woefully inefficient in terms of 21st century energy standards.
But if the HVAC investment is the most easily defensible part of the package of high school improvements that’s been put together, the award for the least defensible has to go to that part of the plan which calls for creating new classroom space where the current swimming pool is located.
The high school was constructed with an enrollment of about 1,900 students in mind. Today, it’s used by fewer than 1,100 students. A study for the school corporation a few years ago determined that 30 to 40 percent of the high school’s educational space is unoccupied at any given time during the school day.
Under those circumstances, the creation of new classrooms hardly seems justifiable or prudent. And if new classrooms were actually needed, it’s difficult to see the sense in placing them smack dab in the middle of the athletic wing of the building.
The toughest call — and the one sure to provoke the most debate — involves the plan to add an auxiliary gymnasium and construct a new, larger swimming pool.
Proponents of the second gym argue that it would benefit a number of high school sports, not just basketball, and that it would eliminate the need for practice sessions at Pennville Elementary School or in the early hours of the morning.
Skeptics point to the addition of community gymnasium space in both Portland and Dunkirk in the past couple of years and argue that high school athletes have coped without an auxiliary gym for the past 30 years.
The swimming pool question is even more problematic.
Showing its age, the pool is in serious need of an overhaul. But with repairs estimated at something like $600,000 and no guarantees of effectiveness, a case can be made for replacing the pool entirely.
Unfortunately, because all of these projects have been bundled together in a single proposed bond issue, sorting out the justifiable from the unnecessary won’t be a simple matter.
On the other hand, as we understand it, the bond hearing scheduled for Dec. 20 establishes a maximum limit for how much can be borrowed. There’s flexibility to go below that maximum without shelving the entire idea.
If the public gives voice to its concerns and the board can un-bundle the numerous projects, there’s still a decent chance that a revised, less expensive plan for capital improvement might be put together. — J.R.
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