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<br />December 2007. Community engagement was with student achievement, <br />facilities, finance and family and community involvement. Ms. Wilson spoke of <br />the recommendations that were presented and the plan to implement them. She <br />spoke of school closings, renovation and new building replacement. Ms. Wilson <br />said the school district’s expenses exceeded their revenue and they will present <br />a fifty cents tax increase in August which will be implemented in thirds, in the <br />years 2011, 2013 and 2015. The school district is allowed to present this <br />increase in August, up to fifty cent without requiring a vote. In the April election <br />the school district will put a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue on the ballot for <br />approximately $53.65 million dollars strictly for capital improvement. She said <br />the district will be accountable and transparent and will implement a bond <br />construction oversight committee for this. Ms. Wilson committed to coming back <br />before Council every other month with a progress update. <br /> <br />Mr. Wagner asked what the criteria were for tearing down schools. Ms. Wilson <br />stated that there were several criteria used: as easy access to classrooms <br />without going through another room, the ability to enlarge existing classrooms, <br />the ability to heat evenly and adequately, and the ability to wire for installation of <br />needed technology to name a few. He then asked Ms. Wilson how the transition <br />of the students during rebuilding would be handled. Ms. Wilson stated it would <br />be done in two phases, and some space in the Administration Building would be <br />temporarily available for classroom space. <br /> <br /> Mr. Price stated that he wanted to be sure that what is passed on bond issues <br />actually goes for the project requested. <br /> <br />Mayor Adams stated that the school district needed to apply for the stimulus <br />packages proposed by the federal government. Ms. Wilson said the district has <br />submitted a request. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson said this is a five to six year process. The transition of the sixth grade <br />into the middle school will be a two to three year process. <br /> <br />Mr. Glickert did not see where the district was meeting the original charge of <br />meeting academic achievement of students. Ms. Wilson stated that there was <br />improvement made and offered the comprehensive school improvement plan as <br />well as the detailed recommendations of which Mr. Glickert said he would like to <br />see. Mr. Glickert stated that without the specifics the charges have not been met <br />and he would not support any tax increase as he felt the district could consolidate <br />into four of the existing schools. <br /> <br />Ms. Ricci stated that the school district had a forty million dollar budget for 3,200 <br />students and the City has a budget of ten million dollars less for 39,000 <br />residents. She stated that out of her $4,000 real estate tax, $400 goes to the <br />City for all the services they supply her and $2,800 goes to the school. She <br />stated that the district is in a position where the students are not getting educated <br />as they are rated seven out of fourteen with the score of six being the point <br />where a district becomes unaccredited. She is not convinced that new schools <br />will change it. She felt there was not the communication needed between the <br />City and the school district as one does affect the other. Ms. Wilson stated that <br />the district has met with the Mayor, the City Manager and Petree Eastman. <br /> <br />