Lincoln Park, Ordean East on schedule to open in fall
March 31, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
The two middle schools that the Duluth school district will open this fall are 85 percent complete and on schedule. Continue Reading
Lincoln Park, Ordean East on schedule to open in fall
9 Comments
Are we really reading about the look and most notable cosmetic features (ability to hold swim meets that seat 500) of these 50 million dollar schools after hearing that they are cutting teachers and a 7th period out of the middle schools? I am sure the schools will be beautiful but at what cost to our students? Who wants to attend a beautiful school that offers nothing inside? It’s like going out for dinner to a restaurant that has a great view but the food is horrible. I would rather have a quality meal in a ok atmosphere, and I would rather our students have quality programs in buildings that we could afford. Very frustrating to see the District flaunt these expensive buildings in one article and cry about having no money for teachers or classroom supplies in the next article.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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What a joke,” listened to the community” so expanded the pools. Leider and Dixon should have listened to the community when they said make the necessary repairs but don’t destroy neighborhood schools and be financially responsible. Judy wanted pool lanes. She also stated that when there were only 2 high schools and so fewer students could be on the teams she would be adding more sports, more clubs. There would be more opportunities. HA! They are struggling to keep what they have. All to look good.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Good point sid. I do remember Judy SP saying that spread between more schools there were too few students in each class to offer the quality and variety of programs but when they reduced the number of schools they would be able to afford to offer more options for the students. Where are the savings? One only has to look at Johnson Controls financial results to see this company has caught a live one when they ventured from car batteries to overhauling school Districts. Promises, promises but no guarantees. Why wasn’t our Board and Superintendent looking out for us? Isn’t that what we elect/hire them for?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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More seating in the pool than you have in the Auditorium??? That says it all. Don’t know where all this input on the pools came from. but it wasn’t the public. A pet project, and now they want more money?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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1000 -1200 students is too big for a middle school.
Having eight lane pools in a middle school is ridiculous.
Kids at this age need small classes, small schools and quality instruction, not 8 lane pools.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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West 3rd Street huh? Our kids are doomed!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I know what’s done is done, and this is probably a wasted comment, but I’ve seen a lot of school districts (mostly in larger cities with a high amount of young children, but very few older children; as the parents gain better employment, generally they move out of the city and into the suburbs) have done away with middle schools altogether – with the bullying problems, the money involved (Duluth is an example)…what they’ve done is similar to the Catholic school system: keep neighbourhood schools (K-8) because what happens is, the 7th and 8th graders, rather than being lost in a middle school, they tend to learn more leadership skills and end up with more confidence in themselves by the time they enter the high schools (grades 9-12). This has saved many districts a tremendous amount of money, because while they can still facilitate the 7th and 8th graders within the elementary schools at a minimal cost, they are seeing 9th graders arriving to high school prepared and ready.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Needless to say the building and expenditures are grossly extravagant. You have made Johnson Controls very happy and getting richer. Remember, they get a percentage of the spending. Too bad the school district no longer has money left for teachers, supplies and operating expenses. Did anyone not see this coming?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I find it most interesting that they keep saying these schools will help the students move forward yet the current trends show smaller classes sizes, especially in elementary and middle schools is the key. 1100 to 1200 students is too big for these schools. Johnson Controls knew this but that wouldn’t have made them nearly as much money as tearing down the smaller schools and building bigger ones that hold more kids in the gyms, caffeterias and classrooms. Cram them together, lay off a ton of teachers, secretaries, janitors but make the community feel better by putting some pretty copper on the outside and decorating the inside like the woods Johnson Controls tore down to build this mammoth thing instead of conserving taxpayer funds and using what you have.
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