Consolodation?

[imported_hhstigerfan]

So is it basically official now that Wise Co will consolidate? If so, how many schools?

Nothing official. Just the study that was done. But based overall, the study did point to consolidation in many ways.
When and if it does happen, probably from 6 schools down to 3.

From what i have heard the following.

Appy/PV, Wise/Pound, Coeburn/St.Paul.

Right now it will be up to the board and administration to see what and where they want to go. Based on the study they have. And what they have to work with, and if consolidation is the option to go with or not. Many thought this was just an Appy vs. the school board or administration. I think it is just now hitting some. That this issue involves more than just Appy and it's citizens. It involves all Wise County schools and it's students and citizens.

If the study is correct you could gain cash right now by cutting the fat from the central office and charging tuition for out-of-state students. The out-of-state and county costs were estimated at a million dollars. I don't think we can use the previous drawings as they planned on renovating the existing schools. We would need a time table, some money for keeping the schools at a serviceable level now, a projection for the "declining numbers" that are gonna be in school when the thing comes together, and new plans for new schools with modern rooms of the proper sizes. If we don't start from scratch everywhere, then we might just as well keep them all open till enrollment drops enough just to close one somewhere, without adding any space to another. The small classrooms in JJK, PV and Coeburn make them no more renovatable than Appy or Pound, and after finding out St Paul is serving so many out of county students , I'm surprised this hasn't been acted on sooner.

[imported_hhstigerfan]

Would St. Paul lose a lot of students to Castlewood if the school was closed down?

Hmmmmm.... I would think they would lose them all to someone IF the school closed. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Stand back-the Dawg has a mind like a steel tarp...er, [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]trap, I mean.

I was just commenting on the only "right now" savings I saw. The board has blown tons of cash on plans to renovate schools that are ALL outdated. The study said the rooms are 50% too small to hold the student/teacher ratio that is the most cost efficent, so none of them can be considered for renovation. This makes the plans (paid several million for them) already drawn up useless. Charges for out of county and state students would be one way to to generate some cash fast, and it doesn't take more than a vote and address check.

[imported_Counts]

I agree that there is no reason not to cut the fat at the top and Charge tuision to out of county students. That will be a great start. If consoladation is desided upon I hope serios consideration is given to New schools as opposed to renovation the older schools after all you can only pour money into an old/outdated building for so long before the cost of layer after layer of renovations is more than the cost of a new school. Wise county does not need to rush this thing they need to take there time and come up with the best plan over all

[Shoe]

If they do build 3 new schools, where do you all think the schools will be located or where would be a good location for each?

[imported_Counts]

I don't have a clue I assume that there would be a study done to deside that....Off the top of my head I think each school should probably be on the 4 lane if the access road is built for the tech park in wise to 23 that would be one good location. Who knows what will end up happening though

[R0cketer]

I think LPD and I are arguing minor things but agreeing on the big points.

I appreciate and agree with what he's saying, but I just think that you're never going to make much progress by talking it out at this point, because of the strong wills and opinions. Damage has apparently been done. The problem is, this is the type of damage (trust) that you can't really recover from that much. Even if everybody decides to be honest, comes clean on everything, the other side is not going to believe them. 5 minutes after the meeting, they will be talking about how "this person" or "that person" wasn't being honest. It's not so much about what the truth is, its about what people are wanting to believe is the truth (IMO).

There are some steps that the school board and administration need to take if they decide to pursue this. They do need to lay things out, more of 'numbers' and 'cost' and costs of repair/new buildings and also throw in scenario of "if" there is money reductions from the state. This also doesn't need to be done only in a meeting, but in the press, press releases, a series of articles in the coalfield, etc etc. The school board meetings tend to be a difficult place to relay and provide information, because of different opinions.

It's a tough tough situation coming up, no doubt, and believe it or not, its tough decisions for the people who are in favor of it. Most of them I would assume are from this area, and I assume from the schools that are affected. You know, it's not just Appy or Pound that have to view this, but if they go from 6 schools to 3, due to the age of the others, new buildings in general will most likely be the preferred or better choice. If they go with new buildings, and consolidate, odds are its not gonna be a Powell Valley, a JJ Kelly, etc it will be Wise West, Wise East, etc. All the Wise County schools are affected.

The thing is, past issues, past lies, past histories can't be the determining factor. The determining factor has to be improving for the future, how you help your students be better informed and prepared for the future.

Anyhow, hopefully it works out for the best.