Carderock ES jumps to top of addition list!

Portable classrooms clash with Terrazzo tile.


MCPS has a Division of Long Term Planning. But here is this week's planning surprise!


Three new classrooms will be added to the brand new Carderock Springs Elementary School currently under construction. See the picture at left. The roof is already on the new structure!


The MCPS Board of Education will vote to add 3 more classrooms to this almost complete new school on April 15, 2010. 


MCPS announced on November 3, 2009, via the Carderock Principal that an Autism program would be added to Carderock Springs Elementary School.  But it took 5 more months for MCPS administrators to figure out that the program would need space? 


Did the Carderock Springs ES community reject the installation of classroom trailers? Because that is how this situation would have been handled at other schools. 


How many MCPS elementary schools have classroom trailers in place and desperately need an addition? (Answer: 82) 


Sorry 82 MCPS elementary schools with classroom trailers, Carderock ES just cut in front of you...


From Superintendent Jerry Weast's memorandum to the Board of Education:

Initially, the modernization of Carderock Springs Elementary School did not include planning for classroom space for the Autism Program. However, after discussions with staff in the Department of Special Education Services, it became apparent that including these classes at Carderock Springs Elementary School was essential.

The modernization of Carderock Springs Elementary School includes a third floor that has been master-planned for future classrooms. Division of Construction staff has determined that three of the ten master-planned classrooms can be built now to accommodate capacity in the school to house the Autism Program. The modifications to include the three classrooms on the third floor and modifications to ground floor classrooms for the Autism Program can be done during the current construction process and will be completed on schedule by August 2010.

and don't miss this "Whereas" in Superintendent Weast's memo:

...WHEREAS, There are enough funds available in the modernization budget...

Ervin, Knapp, Andrews: YES to terrazzo!

On April 22, 2009, the Montgomery County Council's Education Committee (Councilmembers Ervin & Knapp and Council President Andrews) approved community funded improvements to one elementary school in the amount of $154,640. The list of enhancements is here.

In attendance at the Council's Education Committee meeting was Superintendent Weast. In response to the discussion of these enhancements, Superintendent Weast stated:

"You have to remember this board is deeply committed to the policy of differentiation. And we spend $60 some million dollars in the areas where the poverty is most prevalent in the community. So the board's thumb, if it's on the scale, is the other way. These are just minor architectural modifications, not to the educational core, but to the exterior."

Superintendent Weast categorized these enhancements as "to the exterior", but the improvements to this school include:

• Terrazzo tile for the main entrance lobby
• Upgrade for sound and lighting systems on the stage
• Two glass backboards for basketball in the gym (This item was actually not approved by the Board of Education but went to the Council anyway.)

The following upgrades were not deemed to have needed Board of Education approval and are also interior enhancements. These enhancements were not presented to the Council's Education Committee:

• Two electronic message boards inside building $ 1,000
• Weather Bug Weather Station $6,500
• School graphics on the gymnasium wood floor $2,500

***
These improvements were approved by the Navarro led Board of Education in a 6-2 vote* last summer. The Gazette reported on this vote in their article "School policy divides haves, have-nots". The memo from Superintendent Weast to the Board of Education can be found here.

*The 6-2 vote of the Board of Education was:
Voting FOR the improvements to one school were: Mr. Abrams, Mr. Barclay, Ms.
Brandman, (Mr. Moskowitz-student), Mrs. Navarro, and Mrs. O’Neill

Voting AGAINST were Ms. Cox and Dr. Docca

Council to approve Terrazzo tile for elementary school

In the April 3, 2009, Baltimore Sun InsideEd column Jonathon Kozol is quoted:

..."He (Kozol) says segregated schools convey the message to the children there that "you have been sequestered in this institution so you will not contaminate the education of white people." Children get this message from the condition of the buildings (often "squalid surroundings")..."

Wonder how this happens? How do some schools become showcases while others deteriorate within the same county school system? Skip over to Montgomery County and you can watch as the County Council this month approves numerous "upgrades" to one elementary school that can "afford" more. Here is what the Council will be approving:

• Habitat garden with seating for 35 students $17,000
• Exterior school sign with a message board $15,000
• Amphitheater at the rear of school $80,000
• Stone material for steps in front of main entrance $20,000
• Terrazzo tile for main entrance lobby $30,000
• Stone base for columns in front of main entrance and
canopy along the bus loop $4,000
• Upgrade for sound and lighting systems on the stage
within the multi-purpose room $15,000
Total Estimated Cost $181,000

• Two electronic message boards inside building $1,000
• Weather Bug Weather Station $6,500
• School graphics on the gymnasium wood floor $2,500
• Two glass basketball backboards in the gymnasium $1,000
Total $ 11,000

The total cost of these improvements is estimated to be approximately $192,000.
~~~
These improvements were approved by the Navarro led Board of Education in a 6-2 vote* last summer. The Gazette reported on this vote in their article "School policy divides haves, have-nots". The memo from Superintendent Weast to the Board of Education can be found here.

The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing on the upgrades to this one school on April 21st at 1:30 PM. To testify call 240-777-7931.

~~~
*The 6-2 vote of the Board of Education was:
Voting FOR the improvements to one school were: Mr. Abrams, Mr. Barclay, Ms.
Brandman, (Mr. Moskowitz-student), Mrs. Navarro, and Mrs. O’Neill

Voting AGAINST were Ms. Cox and Dr. Docca