Prop U Update

The start of the new school year is right around the corner. Just a few months ago our community voted with a 70% majority to pass Prop U. While the improvements funded by Prop U are being made in a phased approach, based on what I saw at Brittany Woods Middle School this week, it appears the district lost no time in getting construction started over the summer.

My new sixth grader had her oh, so cool, eighth grade brother give her a tour of her class room locations after they registered for the upcoming school year. While my sixth grader obsessed over the really important aspect of sixth grade, how to decorate her locker, Mom snapped a few photos of some of the Prop U improvements along the way.

The new band room in the final stages of construction.

A refreshed little theatre (the seats of pull of desk areas).

The choir room

The gymnasium received a lot of attention as well. What the pictures don't show are a new HVAC system. No more hot and sweaty assemblies.

New gym lockers.

A freshly painted gymnasium that is properly heated and
cooled and has an improved sound system.

New gym doors!



Other renovations that took place during the summer include kiln rooms at Jackson Park and Flynn Park, and replacement of all gym roofs, air conditioner installation in all gyms, locker room renovations and ventilation, dance studio and auditorium improvements at University City High School.  

There are more exciting renovations coming with the new high school library slated for next fall. Our schools are always open to visitors. Stop in any time to see the exciting changes.

 

Why Vote Yes on Prop U

Since January I’ve been working with a group of dedicated volunteers to inform U. City residents on the facts of Proposition U. Personally I’ve clocked countless hours on the campaign while neglecting my family, friends and personal responsibilities – because I believe Prop U is the right thing for our kids and our community.

The School District of University City is the only school district in the metro area
with robotic teams at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels.

Obviously I’m pro Prop U, but there seems to be some who oppose the betterment of our school district. What surprises me is the misleading and inaccurate information the opposition is stating as fact. Set the fallacies aside and voting Yes on Prop U seems like the best choice for our community as a whole. Let’s look at the real facts.

• Prop U is a bond Issue that will raise $19.4 million for our schools without raising our property tax rate. With a “yes” vote for Prop U, tax rates could remain stable, yielding big returns with the investment in our schools. The tax savings that would be achieved by property owners through a “no” vote would be almost indiscernible. For a full explanation of the tax implications click here.

• Our beautifully, historic school buildings are aging and in need of major repair. Just like the homes we live in, occasionally we need to make major repairs. Every school district raises funds for major capital repairs through bond issues. To properly educate our students we need to provide the proper facilities. I challenge anyone to compare U. City facilities to any of the “better” school districts and say the proposed renovations are unnecessary. Look at the brand new science building Clayton High School recently added. Prop U will only address a fraction of the $100 million in needed renovations in the district. The sale of Delmar Harvard will address some additional renovations, but there will still be a lengthy list of facility needs within the school district even if Prop U passes. A list of proposed renovations and the impact for the students and the district can be found here.

Mr. Coleman, honored by Yale University as one of the top jazz

teachers in the U.S. performs with the High School jazz band.

• U. City schools have made big improvements and there are many exciting initiatives in progress. All residents want a school district to be proud of. Good schools make for good property values and a great community. We can proudly say that the School District of University City is on the upswing. Check out some of the terrific stories coming out of U. City schools here.

Mr. Bryne leading sixth graders through a science experiment.

From my vantage point it’s hard to see why you wouldn’t vote Yes for Prop U. With no tax rate increase, we can improve the schools, the community, and the future of many U. City students.

To pass, Prop U needs 4/7ths of the vote. Every YES vote is needed. Please share this message with your friends and neighbors and remind them to vote YES on Prop U this Tuesday, April 2.

School district facilities are available for use by the community. For example, groups such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, atheletic groups and even the University City Symphony use our school buildings for meetings and practices.

Paid for by Cindy Thierry, U. City resident

In Need of a Library

Prop U is a $19.4 million zero-tax-rate-increase bond issue that would tackle many renovations and capital improvements to the beautifully, historic schools in University City. Many of the schools date back as far as the 1930s. Just like our old homes, these schools require more upkeep than newer schools and can lack some of the 21^st facilities of new schools.

It’s hard to dispute much needed renovations such as inadequate and failing HVAC systems and leaking roofs that are like sieves, lockers that date to the 1950s that are now safety hazards, or even 30-year-old windows in need of replacement. But why does the high school need a new library and media center?

Architect's rendering of the high school library addition.

Here are some facts:

·       The current library is actually a courtyard that was enclosed at some point as a library. The space was not originally intended as a library and therefore the space is choppy and does not function well for the educational needs / standards required by today’s teachers.

 

·       The current HS library does not meet DESE standards.

·       While a library can be likened to the command center of any school, the high school is the centerpiece of any school district. This is the final stop for students before launching into their secondary education.  Students and the community gather here to research, collaborate, and learn. Our students and our community deserve 21^st century facilities to prepare them for the future.

·       Renovation would cost $1,000,000 more than a new addition. It is less expensive to build a new addition than to renovate the existing space. However, the existing space would be repurposed to accommodate other programs in the school (such as graphics art) that are now in cramped or less than desirable spaces.

·       In addition to a new library, the addition would feature collaboration space, resource space, upgraded technology, broadcasting and publishing centers, and ADA access.

·       The library addition will have separate access from the school and the ability to restrict access into the main building. This enables the use of the variety of spaces in the library / media center for community purposes.  

 

So, while some may be asking why a new library / media center for the high school, I ask, “Why not?”

For more information on Prop U visit www.PropU.org.

Double click on images for a larger version.

Proposed floor plan for first floor

Proposed floor plan for second floor

Proposed floor plan for third floor