Dear City Councilors:
Dear City Councilors:
This letter is in regards to the Rochester School District plan to spend nearly $500,000 for two fire exit stairways on two schools that are seriously outdated. This is another fine example of how the School Department is completely out of touch with the current economic times. As everyone is struggling to make ends meet the School Department is thinking of new ways to spend money that is no longer available.
On May 6, 2010 at the Building Committee Meeting the minutes stated: Mr. Hopkins reviewed the proposed fire escape stairwells at Nancy Loud School and Maple Street School. This project is ready for Board approval; request for bid proposals; and to go to the City Council for funding. The Committee discussed the stairs at the front of Nancy Loud and were pleased with the look of the stairs. The total cost of the project is $529,000, with $317,400 from State Building aide. We have until July 1, 2010 to submit for State Building Aide, and then a one year moratorium is in place. Reading this makes one believe the School Department has approved this and is looking for funding.
The same evening at the Finance Committee Meeting the minutes stated: Building Committee Items: Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Parker, to recommend the Board approve the stairway plans for Nancy Loud School and Maple Street School in the amount of $529,000. The motion passed unanimously. Again this project appears to have been approved.
Moving forward to the May 13, 2010 School Board Meeting the minutes stated: Mr. Hopkins reported that the original estimate for the stairway project in the amount of $529,000 has been decreased to $489,000; Nancy Loud School project estimated cost is$202,000 and Maple Street School estimated cost is $287,000. The motion from Finance will be to authorize sending out a request for proposals for this project. It is projected that if the project is done by July 1st State Building Aide would cover 60% of overall cost.
Further on during this same meeting it was stated: Stairway Plan: Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, the Board approve going out to bid for stairway plans for Nancy Loud School and Maple Street School with a cap of $489,000. The motion carried unanimously.
How many members of the School Board truly read what the minutes say?
On May 18, 2010, reported by Foster’s, Mr. Hopkins stated that the bid specs for the fire escape projects are currently being put together and he hopes they will go out to bid in the next few weeks.
On May 27, 2010, reported by Foster’s, Councilor Walker stated the idea of consolidating schools has come up in the past, but has never been tied to a tangible cost until now. Has anybody taken the time to see what the heating bills are for Nancy Loud? Nancy Loud was built in the 1890s, retired around 1968 when the “new” East Rochester Elementary opened. If we truly have approximately 80 students as stated we are down 28 students since January. Maple Street was built in the 1920s, renovated approximately 1964 for an enrollment of 245. Now we are housing approximately 71. As a taxpayer I have a problem with this. Four classes, 4 teachers and 21 support staff.
It appears, as one reads all these documents that Mr. Hopkins is not being as straightforward as he should be regarding the schools involved and may be attempting to cloud the issue. It makes one wonder did they or didn’t they approve the stairwells, are they are aren’t they putting them out to bid or again just approving the expenditure of money because that is what they have always done in the past.
Everyone needs to remember that this project will need to be bonded. How long will this bond be 20 years, 30 years? These schools will not be around in 20 to 30 years yet we will still be paying for the stairs, in essence, paying for nothing. If Mr. Hopkins wishes to create a much safer environment for the students the students should be in another building. How many parents are aware that there are no sprinklers in the Maple Street School? Do you truly want your child to continue going to a building that has no sprinklers and in need of additional fire exits? Will the State one day mandate ALL schools have sprinklers? How costly will that be?
It is also well known that the State, if not already broke, soon will be and that 60% reimbursement on the bond will likely never happen. As Mr. Hopkins stated, applications submitted before July 1, will be considered for aid. The key words are WILL BE. The State MAY bond to cover their current obligations but there is still NO commitment from them. Not to mention that the taxpayer is going to be on the hook for 100% of the interest and if the state does not come through, 100% of the bond. Mrs. Hubbard and Mr. Brennan, School Board members and state representatives both have stated that you cannot count on receiving 60% from the state because there is no money available. If this is true, which we all know it is, why would Mr. Hopkins continue to deceive the taxpayers of Rochester and the members of this Council?
The estimated student population provided by the School District is inflated by 550 students. This is a numbers game to keep the budget bloated. With an obvious decrease in student population the time has come to take a long hard look at the schools we have. If the School Department has a contingency plan now is the time to put it into action. Now is the time to consolidate underpopulated schools. The elementary schools class sizes range from a low of 13 to a high of 23. Maple St. School has only 4 classes, School St. has 5 classes and Nancy Loud has only 7 classes.
I have also attached the District Map for Rochester Schools. The map gives one a new perspective when one tries to make the point of keeping neighborhood schools. The map certainly shows how neighborhoods are varied in size and expansive in miles. I would also make the argument that moving students to a larger school gives them access to expanded technology and books while enhancing the opportunity for socialization. Aides could be added to classes as needed while cutting administrative and other support staff, again saving the taxpayer dollars.
With decreasing enrollment, decreasing tax base, increasing utility, water, sewer, gas and food bills, along with a wish list that would make Santa Claus envious, I hope the City Council tells the School Department to get in line with the times. They are so used to getting everything they want and have never had to deal with the fact the well is running dry. They have lost perspective, it is not the best education money can buy it is the best education the taxpayers can afford. I would like to have Mr. Hopkins produce the studies he spoke about that show shuffling students to new schools has an immediate impact on their performance. I have a problem with that concept. If one truly believes that shuffling students impacts performance then none of us would have made it out of elementary school.
To put a half million dollars into these two schools is without a doubt financially irresponsible at best and one has to wonder why the School Department would burden the taxpayers in such a manner. Hopefully, those teaching economics and accounting in our high school are able to teach our students about balancing or balanced budgets and being fiscally responsible.
Sue O’Connor