Are these pictures of a neglected school in a disadvantaged community? Perhaps an aging school in a district that has run out of funds?
Actually, these are photos taken by a parent just last week at the crown jewel of high schools in Montgomery County,
Walt Whitman. Only 17 years old, Whitman's roof leaks so badly in spots that buckets have to be placed in the auxiliary gym during storms. Exterior water damage is also extensive and can easily be seen in the photo above. The basketball court hasn't been restriped in years, and the nets are obviously in need of replacement.
Why are even the newest MCPS buildings in such poor condition? MCPS has announced plans to fund construction of many new schools over the next decade, but will MCPS adequately fund maintainance of existing buildings?
Not only are schools not being upkept as needed, there are also issue of items that are so outdated, such as lighfixtures, that MCPS no longer has for order for school. That means non-working lights in and around the school. What are the guidelines for school building maintenance? What exactly are the responsible for? There are a number of schools in neighborhoods that look run down as bushed are not kept trimmed, grass is overgrown and outbuildings are a shame to look at.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame, and we should all be concerned that maintenence is not adequate. BUT, I am worried that your last paragraph implies that new schools should not be built. My kids are in a school that is 40% over capacity AND 40 years since its last rennovation.
ReplyDeleteWe can't get an addition because we are on the list for a modernization, but we may be delayed in the modernization because the BOE and Weast prefer to fund additions. It's a double bind, and the photos of flooding and overcrowding are shocking.
@ Amanda - You are so correct! Here's the catch that you should know about. You think a "new school" is a good thing? But what you don't know is that you don't necessarily get a "new school". When MCPS modernized Churchill High School about 10 years ago and built a "new school" - looks brand new - what they didn't tell the community is that they DIDN'T replace the HVAC system.
ReplyDeleteThe students entered the new building and have been suffering for YEARS with no air conditioning, broken heating w/ "new" windows that only open inches. Meanwhile the Principal was being given awards by MCPS for conserving energy! Conserving! Heck, the HVAC wasn't running at all!
Now, in 2009, the Churchill PTSA is advocating for a new HVAC system for the building because it was never replaced in the modernization. A little late for the 10 years of graduates that suffered under this mirage of a "new school".
sad but true Janis, the whole system needs replacing. Still, with the capacity to hold 25% of the school in portables, lunch lines that stretch for 20 minutes, allowing kindergarteners, esp those on FARMS, about 10 minutes for lunch, and a facility that is falling apart at the seams, I have to push for what I can get.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - New schools absolutely need to built, and they need to built at a much faster rate than ever before. At the same time, MCPS needs to adequately maintain our existing schools.
ReplyDeleteMCPS is top-heavy with $six-figure headquarters administrators at Carver Center who rarely or never have contact with students, and the number of headquarters administrators keeps growing. Can you imagine how much more funding would be available to build and maintain schools if MCPS cut the number of $headquarters administrators?
There she goes again...Janis Sartucci exaggerating about conditions at Churchill. I happen to work there (as a teacher, not an administrator) and know for a fact that we DO have air conditioning and that the heat is NOT broken. It is true that the HVAC system was not replaced upon our modernization and is not the best in the world. I also know that once our current Building Services Manager took over about 3 years ago, what was formerly a huge problem with the A/C was fixed thanks to his knowledge and that of his assistant. Is it perfect...no. Is it good...I'd say yes, and I work there.
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last time you stepped foot in Churchill Ms. Sartucci? Stop exaggerating for a change and maybe more people will respect your opinions.
@ anonymous alleged Churchill teacher:
ReplyDeleteFirst, I was just in Churchill High School last month.
Second, I speak from facts based on our families experience and the public testimony of the current PTA. Seems you are pretty out of touch with what is going on at your own school (if you even really work there?) because this is what the PTA told the Board of Education on November 12, 2009, and I quote from their testimony:
"HVAC. We support recommendations to increase expenditures for replacements
and major improvements to HVAC systems. Churchill HS is in need of an improved HVAC system. We request that a portion of the funding increase be targeted toward
Churchill in order to improve air-quality, air-flow, and major temperature disparities.
During the last fiscal year Churchill had 602 work order hours spent on attempts to fix the HVAC system, that equates to 3.5 hours per school day based on a 180 day schoolyear.
Although Churchill was modernized in 2001, it was the first onsite high school modernization and served as the guinea pig for future high school onsite modernization projects. The HVAC system was not completely replaced. The portion that was
installed was done piecemeal while the building was constructed in phases resulting in ducts not being properly connected or never connected. Additionally the ductwork
makes a loop throughout the building creating an inefficient system."
602 work order hours in ONE YEAR on one school's HVAC system? Sounds like someone thinks there is problem with the Churchill HVAC system besides me!
http://www.mccpta.com/testimonies_dir/CIP_BOE_Churchill_Cluster_Testimony_111209.pdf