County Executive Leggett has announced a decision to cut $150 million from the county's construction budget for the next six year cycle of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and that the school systems share of the cut would be about $34 million.
We need to watch this very closely as a community and continue our advocacy to ensure that the schools share of the CIP remains strong. RCF is very close to being modernized, and we don't want to lose funding so close to the finish line. To see the Gazette article, follow the link.
Showing posts with label cip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cip. Show all posts
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Weast Proposes New Middle School for BCC Cluster
Superintendent Weast recently proposed a new middle school for the Bethesda Chevy Chase Cluster to allieviate crowding at Westland, should the 6th grades at North Chevy Chase and Chevy Chase ES move out of their elementary setting and into a middle school.
What does this mean for us? It is unclear at this time. What worries many parents, myself included is:
1) Why were we excluded from the meetings that proposed this new school. This is a major change that will primarily impact our community in addition to the Chases. While it is acceptable and understandable that this proposal came out of a different discussion, we should have been brought to the table immediately when it became something to seriously consider.
2) Will this impact our modernization? Our school was once what I called 40X40: 40 years since it's last modernization and 40% over capacity. With the growth we have seen this year, we are now 40X60: 60% over capacity. We cannot wait, we cannot be pushed back any longer. With the VERY limited dollars at the systems disposal, what will happen when the need to make choices? We cannot wait any longer to have a school that meets the standards of the 21st century.
3) Why are we rushing this process without more thorough study? I acknowledge that the situation at the chases is untenable. Their kids are not getting what they need or deserve, but rushing into a new school building without thorough study is a recipe for disaster.
4) Will the new school, should it come to pass, be equivelant to Westland? It would be a bitter irony if we go through all this only to end up at a school that doesn't have playing fields or the IB program. The cluster is very densly populated. Westland sits on 25 acres. Where is there a site like that? Or even half it's size? The International Baccalaureate program is a huge asset to Westland. Any new program must be equal to it's sister school.
My recommendations for the school system: take a year, provide the support for the Chases, do a thorough study including ALL the communities. This is too important and expensive to get wrong.
What does this mean for us? It is unclear at this time. What worries many parents, myself included is:
1) Why were we excluded from the meetings that proposed this new school. This is a major change that will primarily impact our community in addition to the Chases. While it is acceptable and understandable that this proposal came out of a different discussion, we should have been brought to the table immediately when it became something to seriously consider.
2) Will this impact our modernization? Our school was once what I called 40X40: 40 years since it's last modernization and 40% over capacity. With the growth we have seen this year, we are now 40X60: 60% over capacity. We cannot wait, we cannot be pushed back any longer. With the VERY limited dollars at the systems disposal, what will happen when the need to make choices? We cannot wait any longer to have a school that meets the standards of the 21st century.
3) Why are we rushing this process without more thorough study? I acknowledge that the situation at the chases is untenable. Their kids are not getting what they need or deserve, but rushing into a new school building without thorough study is a recipe for disaster.
4) Will the new school, should it come to pass, be equivelant to Westland? It would be a bitter irony if we go through all this only to end up at a school that doesn't have playing fields or the IB program. The cluster is very densly populated. Westland sits on 25 acres. Where is there a site like that? Or even half it's size? The International Baccalaureate program is a huge asset to Westland. Any new program must be equal to it's sister school.
My recommendations for the school system: take a year, provide the support for the Chases, do a thorough study including ALL the communities. This is too important and expensive to get wrong.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The CIP is Passed; Long Live the CIP
It’s one of those “yes, but…” moments. The Board of Education voted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 to pass the Capital Improvement Plan which includes modernization of Rock Creek Forest. Planning should being in 2010, construction in 2013.
Now we get to the “yes, but” part.
The CIP needs to be funded. Right now, the CIP functions as a Christmas list. It shows the wishes and intentions of the board, but without Santa, it is just a list. Now our advocacy shifts to the County Council and State of Maryland. For more on the timeline, see the post timeline to a new RCF.
Now we get to the “yes, but” part.
The CIP needs to be funded. Right now, the CIP functions as a Christmas list. It shows the wishes and intentions of the board, but without Santa, it is just a list. Now our advocacy shifts to the County Council and State of Maryland. For more on the timeline, see the post timeline to a new RCF.
Timeline to a new RCF
More than anything I have had questions about the process. It IS really confusing, for all of us. But here is how it works:
date action
11/11 -11/12/2009 Board of Education holds public hearings on the FYI 2011-2016
11/19/2009 BOE votes on CIP – vote held and CIP passed
11/30/2009 Final requests for state aid due
12/2009 Ike Leggett, County Executive reviews BOE request
1/15/2009 (tentative date)Ike Leggett, County Executive presents his recommendations.
1/27/2009 (tentative date)Board of Public Works hearing on CIP (tentative date)
2/20/2009 LAST possible date for the Governor to propose his Capital Budget
Feb – May, 2009 County Council holds hearings on CIP
4/5/2009 Both state houses vote on budget
May, 2009 County Council approves the FY 2011-2016 CIP and funding for the 2011 Capital Budget
Ok, so, that’s clear as mud. As you can see, it is a process that requires four/five separate stakeholders to buy in. The Board of Education, the County Executive, the State House and Senate, the Governor all need to do their part to make this happen.
Right now the BOE has approved the CIP, which is great. BUT, if the state does not give them the money, and we should be VERY concerned that they won’t, then the BOE needs to make some choices about what to do.
Now, they work their way down three lists of 1)schools additions 2) schools modernizations 3) high school modernizations. But what mix of funding they choose is where we need to be concerned.
Historically, the BOE has favored additions over modernizations – they are cheaper and they please more constituencies. That means that modernizations get pushed back.
date action
11/11 -11/12/2009 Board of Education holds public hearings on the FYI 2011-2016
11/19/2009 BOE votes on CIP – vote held and CIP passed
11/30/2009 Final requests for state aid due
12/2009 Ike Leggett, County Executive reviews BOE request
1/15/2009 (tentative date)Ike Leggett, County Executive presents his recommendations.
1/27/2009 (tentative date)Board of Public Works hearing on CIP (tentative date)
2/20/2009 LAST possible date for the Governor to propose his Capital Budget
Feb – May, 2009 County Council holds hearings on CIP
4/5/2009 Both state houses vote on budget
May, 2009 County Council approves the FY 2011-2016 CIP and funding for the 2011 Capital Budget
Ok, so, that’s clear as mud. As you can see, it is a process that requires four/five separate stakeholders to buy in. The Board of Education, the County Executive, the State House and Senate, the Governor all need to do their part to make this happen.
Right now the BOE has approved the CIP, which is great. BUT, if the state does not give them the money, and we should be VERY concerned that they won’t, then the BOE needs to make some choices about what to do.
Now, they work their way down three lists of 1)schools additions 2) schools modernizations 3) high school modernizations. But what mix of funding they choose is where we need to be concerned.
Historically, the BOE has favored additions over modernizations – they are cheaper and they please more constituencies. That means that modernizations get pushed back.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
40X40 -- pass it on
We are all frustrated and concerned about the pace of modernization at Rock Creek Forest. That is why we have developed a three prong strategy to: 1) get the funding we need from the Governor and state delegation 2) make sure it is allocated by the county council and 3) make sure the Board of Education remains focused on Rock Creek Forest ES.
Our theme is 40X40 – forty years since our last renovation; 40% over capacity. Please try to incorporate this phrase into your communication, we will be building a campaign around it.
Here what you can do:
1) Contact the Board of Education immediately, to ask that they
a. Prioritize modernizations and avoid the past tendency to put additions before modernizations, thereby punishing older, more run down facilities.
b. Adopt the Capital Improvement Plan
c. Remember Rock Creek Forest 40X40
Board of Education contact information: boe@mcpsmd.org or individually Shirley_Brandman@mcpsmd.org ; Phil_Kauffman@mcpsmd.org ; mailto:Patricia_O ; Judy_Docca@mcpsmd.org; Laura_Berthiaume@mcpsmd.org ; Chrisopher_Barclay@mcpsmd.org Michael_A_Durso@mcpsmd.org; Timothy_T_Hwang@mcpsmd.org
2) Contact the County Council and let them know that:
a. Our school is “40X40.” 40 years since it’s last renovation and 40% over capacity.
b. Regardless of what district they represent, RCF represents the entire county through the immersion program;
c. Even in tight economic times, we expect that they will fund our school’s modernization, which requires funding the CIP.
d. We have waited long enough.
County Council Contact information:
councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov ; councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov ; councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov
3) Contact your state delegate and let them know:
a. Our school is “40X40.” 40 years since it’s last renovation and 40% over capacity.
b. Regardless of what district they represent, RCF represents the entire county through the immersion program;
c. Even in tight economic times, we expect that they will fund our school’s modernization, which requires funding capital projects.
d. We have waited long enough.
Contact information for the state house: go to http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/ to find your representatives.
4) Contact Governor O’Malley and tell him:
a. Our school is “40X40.” 40 years since it’s last renovation and 40% over capacity.
b. RCF represents the entire county through the immersion program;
c. Even in tight economic times, we expect that he will fund our school’s modernization, which requires funding capital projects.
d. We have waited long enough.
Contact Information for Gov. O'Malley: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/
Our theme is 40X40 – forty years since our last renovation; 40% over capacity. Please try to incorporate this phrase into your communication, we will be building a campaign around it.
Here what you can do:
1) Contact the Board of Education immediately, to ask that they
a. Prioritize modernizations and avoid the past tendency to put additions before modernizations, thereby punishing older, more run down facilities.
b. Adopt the Capital Improvement Plan
c. Remember Rock Creek Forest 40X40
Board of Education contact information: boe@mcpsmd.org or individually Shirley_Brandman@mcpsmd.org ; Phil_Kauffman@mcpsmd.org ; mailto:Patricia_O ; Judy_Docca@mcpsmd.org; Laura_Berthiaume@mcpsmd.org ; Chrisopher_Barclay@mcpsmd.org Michael_A_Durso@mcpsmd.org; Timothy_T_Hwang@mcpsmd.org
2) Contact the County Council and let them know that:
a. Our school is “40X40.” 40 years since it’s last renovation and 40% over capacity.
b. Regardless of what district they represent, RCF represents the entire county through the immersion program;
c. Even in tight economic times, we expect that they will fund our school’s modernization, which requires funding the CIP.
d. We have waited long enough.
County Council Contact information:
councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov ; councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov ; councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov; councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov
3) Contact your state delegate and let them know:
a. Our school is “40X40.” 40 years since it’s last renovation and 40% over capacity.
b. Regardless of what district they represent, RCF represents the entire county through the immersion program;
c. Even in tight economic times, we expect that they will fund our school’s modernization, which requires funding capital projects.
d. We have waited long enough.
Contact information for the state house: go to http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/ to find your representatives.
4) Contact Governor O’Malley and tell him:
a. Our school is “40X40.” 40 years since it’s last renovation and 40% over capacity.
b. RCF represents the entire county through the immersion program;
c. Even in tight economic times, we expect that he will fund our school’s modernization, which requires funding capital projects.
d. We have waited long enough.
Contact Information for Gov. O'Malley: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/
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