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SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 323
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 2:10 pm: | 
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Don't see a way to post in Education, so I'm posting here.
I know there are budget constraints, but do we have to make the outsides of our schools the first to feel the budget knife? Of course some think this unimportant to our children's education. I disagree. It is not the most important or even close, but to do it right shouldn't cost that much and the result would be a sense of order and pride that I think would be beneficial to the kids.
I don't know who does the work. I assume from the appearance and lack of regularity in mowing, it is school district folks and not a private contractor. I assume the district staff is stretched too thin taking care of all the buildings with deferred maintenance. For the 2 years I've been here, as soon as things start growing in the spring, it seems like whoever is doing it never gets on top of the situation.
How about outsourcing it to private landscaping companies? |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1480
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 3:26 pm: |
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Thank you for bringing up one of my pet peeves. My niece was up from Canada this past weekend and we drove by Clinton School on the weekend to show her where her cousin goes to school - her comment "It looks abandoned". And it does. I remember last summer the grass in front of the high school was a foot high in spots.
Even after it's mowed there are undone patches and bits all over. Whoever does it does a crappy job and I'm sure it's not cheap. Not sure if this is outsourced or will be affected by the recent custodian outsourcing or not but I would bet this is something that could be done better and cheaper by a local landscaper. It's a shame because our town hall and parks look great (for the most part) and the schools look absolutely awful. |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 389
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 4:24 pm: |
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If you think the outsides are bad, you ought to have a look inside one of these days. Then again, with the low low taxes we pay, what do you expect?
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finnegan
Supporter
Username: Finnegan
Post Number: 349
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 4:47 pm: |
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You might consider contacting the PTA/HSA's of the various schools - I'm certain some have Gardening/Grounds committees with whom you could volunteer - or would welcome your interest in starting one. I believe PTA/HSA contact information may be found on the district website. |
mrs_mooch
Citizen
Username: Mrs_mooch
Post Number: 10
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:22 pm: |
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That reminds me of one of my pet peeves about Tuscan. Have you seen Tuscan "clear" the snow from the sidewalks in the winter? I don't know for sure, but I think it must be one guy with a shovel. The path cleared is only the width of the shovel! It must take him hours!! Couldn't someone lend him a snow blower at least? I don't own a snow blower (good die-hard Minnesotan here clearing the driveway with a shovel only) otherwise I'd donate it to them.
What makes it hard is that it makes it almost impossible to pick up your kid after school. The fight for the "clear" part of the sidewalk is something to behold (better have your sorrels on!)
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2802
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:58 pm: |
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My kid went to Clinton, and I often thought it needed some trees etc. in the front. It does/did look kinda barracks-y and abandoned. It needs more than the odd petunia planted by a well-meaning committee. |
annabanana
Citizen
Username: Banana
Post Number: 28
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:30 pm: |
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Funny, i was just thinking the same about Marshall today. Didn't I read somewhere that the custodial services were being contracted out? did lawn moving not get included in the contract? |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1894
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:12 pm: |
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A lot of the grounds work (at least the cosmetic stuff) is done by PTA volunteers, so if you want the facade to look pretty, it's up to you.
I walk through Jefferson and pick up trash and yank a few weeds everyday when I walk my dogs.
There really isn't anyone in charge - I figure I'll pick up here and there, and when I have the time I'll do more.
If you go out to any of of schools with tools and gloves and start weeding - no one is going to stop you - right?
If you can pull 3 friends to help you, it's a beautification committee. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1482
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 1:16 pm: |
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I'm not talking about the gardening I'm talking about basic maintenance that someone gets paid for i.e. cutting the grass. We have a great PTA and time and money gets spent on planting etc but it is for naught if the rest of the grounds are left to become overgrown. |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 351
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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I have experienced this problem for many years. The problem stems from the school budgetary process. Apparantly, there is little (or none if you ask me) money budgeted for maintenance. The practice is to let the maintenance (a budgetary expense item) go to pot. This is called "deferred maintenance." When things get too bad, they claim that replacement is necessary. So, if this request is aproved, it is handled from the capital expense budget, thereby making it appear that we saved money by their "deferred maintenance" policy. It is all an illusion, and contrary to sound fiscal management. In the meantime, what you are seeing is the school property being neglected and going downhill until it is beyond repair.
I personally find this budgeting process disgusting. But for some unknown reason, it passes muster in this district.
Unfortunatly, the BOE/Admisistration is more than happy to accept any and all citizen contributions such as fund raisers targeted for whatever specific targets are selected because of neglect. This is a form of an increased, voluntary additional tax. They seem to show no sense of shame about this at all. |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 326
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:07 pm: |
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mrmaplewood -
The capital monies come from a different pot, subject to different constraints? Is that the idea?
If that is the case - and it does sounds like an all too plausible case of unintended consequences - it is as frustrating to me as you. Pennywise, pound foolish deferred maintenance is a bugaboo for me in any context; when it involves the school my kids will go to, the school potential purchasers of my home will look at, and my future tax bills, it makes the blood boil.
What I find equally annoying is that South Orange takes a similar approach to Village capital assets. Near as I can tell there is no legislatively driven reason for doing it - so maybe this should be more annoying - it is just a lack of discipline and setting of priorities. Plus, doing it regularly doesn't lead to big contracts for replacement and associated bond work.
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