Pioneer Elementary student capacity is 350, has a current enrollment of 180, and an annual utility cost of $55,730.
Quincy Elementary student capacity is 400, a current enrollment 205, and an annual utility cost of $83,806.
Alternative 1 is to consolidate all of these students into Pioneer Elementary.
Alternative 2 is to consolidate all of these students into Quincy Elementary.
Please share with us your feedback.
I'm curious why this is one of the few sets of options that does not have a "do nothing" choice.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how much actual savings is going to be realized by combining schools? Utility costs are not 100% savings, as some of that expense will transfer over with an influx of students.
Additionally, there are site-specific projects (the garden at QES comes to mind) that students will lose if they close the school.
Parking at either school is a nightmare. A combined student population will put the schools above capacity (and how is this determined?) Major retrofitting will have to occur which will wipe out any utility savings and could potentially cost more.
Why close Quincy El with 400 student capacity and move them to a site with only 350 student capacity. Combined enrollment is stated as 385. Any math teachers notice the problem?
ReplyDeleteThe larger cafeteria at Quincy Elementary allows for a more active PE program (Artist in the Schools: aerobic dance) and whole school assemblies. Large events promoted by the school (Fall Festival) and the community (music recitals) are held at Quincy Elementary because the school can accommodate the crowds.
ReplyDeleteIt's only common sense to combine these two schools and should have been done awhile ago. A garden can always be made. The larger space would be the most logical
ReplyDeleteWith the continuing decline in enrollment it makes sense to look at consolidating. I think that the Pioneer location makes the most sense due to the possiblity to expand. It is the best location. Yes, parking, drop off and pick up is horrendous at both locations, but you have more options at Pioneer. There is only one option at Quincy El and one person leaving their car messes up the entire system.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that our school district use to be one of the richest districts in the nation but because of the decline of timber sales, we have dipped to an all time low in many regards. But what I find most interesting statewide, is: As the State placed more "administrative" staff on board to "educate" our children, our education has become worse and the only threats I ever see are the closing of facilities and laying off of teachers...When are we going to start eliminating the fat on top and allow the teachers, staff and Principals to educate our children? We don't need a district office or the staff in it.
ReplyDeleteConsolidate to the school with the highest capacity available. It is ludicrous to have two elementary school sites in these rural towns.
ReplyDeleteI am concerned about the air quality at Pioneer Elementary School due to the proximity of the school to Sierra Pacific Industries sawmill. I am confident that SP maintains satisfactory standards for air emissions, however there have to be at least some pollutants produced by sawing, sanding, burning, running machines, and applying preservatives. There are also diesel exhaust contaminants produced by trucks that deliver logs, log-moving equipment and the locomotives in the rail yard. The air quality at both schools should be tested and compared before a decision is made. This is too big of an issue to disregard.
ReplyDeleteUltimate efficiency dictates the abolition of the district. There is no justifiable advantage in having 4 geographically separate communities forced to work in some faux unified effort. Control of and responsibility for running each school, and consolidations necessary in each community should be determined by each local community. Private schools run their operations under these constraints. When will government entities learn this lesson?
ReplyDeleteI feel Qunicy Elementary is the preferred site for children. QES is located in the heart of the community, within walking distance of the library, museum,courthouse, bookstore, art gallery, newspaper, post office, Alder Street Garden, the Learning Landscapes outdoor area, etc. To access all this from Pioneer School would require bus transportation, not an easy task these days.
ReplyDelete