tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post8759950597822039082..comments2024-03-28T15:34:48.727-07:00Comments on Redmond Neighborhood Blog: Opinion: What are solutions to the LWSD bond measure failure?Bob Yoderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17538345340147926309noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post-83571722138187224012014-06-05T08:32:52.668-07:002014-06-05T08:32:52.668-07:00Kathryn, thanks for your response to my post in th...Kathryn, thanks for your response to my post in the Redmond Neighborhood Blog. I originally posted this on my blog (URL below) and Mr. Yoder was kind enough to re-post to a wider audience.<br /><br />You say that I need to check my facts, but if you remember, we had conversations via email regarding the cost of the portables and the classroom addition at RHS (excluding the gym). You gave me the numbers that I used. Here is the link to the blog where I originally posted the cost of the portables and new classroom structure at RHS. http://paigesprattle.blogspot.com/2013/07/cost-vs-value.html Your 15 million figure was for the entire project at RHS which was not the point of my solution for Rockwell. The point is that instead of putting up portables like little weed sprouts, the district could have spent just a bit more and built a brick and mortar building which would house many, many more students for a longer term. <br /><br />My purpose for my posts is to get people to think about the money that’s being spent and HOW it’s being spent. And, in light of the fact that there’s more money that’s been *found* (not used, not accessed, available – whatever wording is appropriate), I think the taxpayers of the District feel a bit misled. As I said, it’s just one thought of a possible solution to the overcrowding issue. <br /><br />We all want the same thing: a good education for our children. However as the District has only built 3 new schools in 10 years and re-built/modernized several others schools without adding classroom spaces or looking to the future of 30-40 years, it’s hard for me to see how our money is being well-spent towards learning spaces.<br /><br />I appreciate our working relationship and hope to continue working with you in the process of keeping people informed.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br /> <br /><br />Paige Norman<br />paigenor@outlook.com<br /><br />http://paigesprattle.blogspot.com/<br />Paige Normannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post-71597032990595381552014-06-04T09:03:33.695-07:002014-06-04T09:03:33.695-07:00Paige, I appreciate your trying to think of soluti...Paige, I appreciate your trying to think of solutions to the district's overcrowding problem. However, I would really appreciate it if you would check your facts first. Here are a few errors of fact in your article:<br /><br />The classroom addition at Redmond High School cost $15.3 million, not $800,000. Your estimation of $1.5 million to add 14 classrooms to an elementary school is wishful thinking. If only it were true!<br /><br />The reference to variances only applied to Redmond High School, where variances to students from the Eastlake area have increased the Redmond High population for many years. We have already reduced the number of variances allowed but it will take a couple of years for the students who already had variances to graduate.<br /><br />I'm not sure where you got the impression that the change to four-year high schools brought on the overcrowing problem: we have been clear all along in our communications that this change actually relieved some of the problem. Had we not moved sixth grade out of the elementary schools, we would need four more elementary schools right now, in addition to the three we asked for in the last bond measure. The change to four-year high schools actually allowed a much more efficient use of the space we have in our buildings.<br /><br />You claim the district could have adjusted construction of Lake Washington High School to accommodate the extra class. Funds for the school were procured in 2006 for a three-year high school. Construction began in 2008 for a three-year high school. At that point all plans and permitting were complete. When the district first announced plans to move to a four-year high school system over a year later, there was simply no way to increase the project's size by one third with no additional money. <br /><br />You also claim that new district buildings are not built to last for 30 years. That's true but not in the way you state: they are built to last for at least 50 to 75 years. <br /><br />I really do appreciate how much you care about the district and want to solve these issues. Please feel free any time to contact me to ask about any facts. I will be happy to verify any information you need.<br /><br />Kathryn Reith<br />Communications Director, Lake Washington School DistrictKathryn Reithhttp://www.lwsd.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post-7991763977160219982014-06-02T23:45:25.644-07:002014-06-02T23:45:25.644-07:00An obvious solution is to house the additional ele...An obvious solution is to house the additional elementary schools and middle school in the Redmond High building. The existing Redmond High enrollment can be accommodated by running a second shift at Eastlake. Transportation cost will be lower for the younger students, since RHS is centrally located, and for the older students, a lot drive themselves to school. 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