District closes in on key facility decisions
Glen Park could shut down, but report on school isn't all bad
Oct. 17, 2011 | 12 comments
New Berlin - Because the district's facilities have plenty of room to accommodate growth well into the future, a study released last week recommended the New Berlin School Board consider closing a school.
At the top of its list in a consultant's study is Glen Park Elementary School, 3500 S. Glen Park Road. Closing it could save an estimated $300,000 a year and selling it could save $500,000, the consultant estimated.
The School Board has been discussing closing Glen Park since December.
However, despite the recommendation to close that school, the consultant, IFF, wasn't nearly as pessimistic as an earlier study about what it would cost to improve the school to put it back on par with the district's other elementary schools.
A 2008 study estimated that cost at about $8 million - double what IFF estimates in its new report.
Consultant's best guesses
IFF is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that helps other nonprofits such as school districts make facilities decisions.
The board hired IFF to look at enrollment trends the condition of each building and then give some advice on consolidation, switching to a single high school and a single middle school and on what work needs to be done at the schools.
Other key parts to the report include:
Immediate improvements to all facilities would cost an estimated $4.1 million. Improvements that could be done in two to five years would be nearly $8.3 million, improvements that could be five or more years out would be another $9.8 million and quality improvements that are more "wants" than needs would be $2.9 million. The total of all improvements is $25 million.
Eisenhower and Glen Park need the most work.
If Glen Park were closed, children could attend Poplar Creek and Elmwood elementary schools with a few going to Ronald Reagan Elementary. This introduces a third alternative to the options school officials have been considering. One is having students go to Elmwood and Reagan and the other is having them all go to Reagan, which would be enlarged.
The high/middle schools could be separated into one middle and one high school. But either high school would need an addition to accommodate grades nine to 12 and future growth.
Rebuilding the Eisenhower Middle/High School swimming pool, which doesn't meet some requirements for competitions, would cost about $3.9 million. Rebuilding the New Berlin West Middle/High School swimming pool at would cost $2.8 million and putting in a new larger pool would be $6 million. (IFF made no recommendation on whether either pool should be replaced or rebuilt.)
The district should sell the maintenance building and its 10 acres known as Little Grove.
The district should sell the former Prospect Hill Elementary School, 5330 S. Racine Ave.
Reacting to cheaper report
School Board President David Maxey was pleasantly surprised with the study's view of the condition of the schools.
"Overall, their condition is not as bad as I was afraid it might be," Maxey said.
The news was particularly welcome about Eisenhower, which, for years, the board had understood would cost $40 million to fix up, he said.
"So, $25 million for all seven buildings, I'm very happy about that," Maxey said.
He wondered if previous estimates were so high because they came from contractors and may have included things that were not really needed, he said. The IFF estimate may be more reliable because it comes from a nonprofit group, he said.
The next step will be for administrators to come back to the board with recommendations, which could happen as early as the Nov. 14 meeting.
Careful decision on Glen Park
As to a possible Glen Park closing, Maxey said, "It's always something that's out there…but it's not something we'll rush into."
The board had expected to make a decision on closing by the end of the last school year. But the departure of Paul Kreutzer as superintendent may have played a role in delaying that decision.
But School Board member Art Marquardt predicted the decision will likely be made in the next few months. Many of the unanswered questions are answered in this report, he said.
Marquardt expects public hearings and then a decision.
Pooling resources?
The jury is still out on what to do about the school pools.
Maxey said the pools will have to get in line for funding after more pressing needs are met.
Marquardt said he believes there has to be a simpler and less expensive way to fix the Eisenhower pool than have been found so far.
| Cost Summary per Student by Site | |||||||
| Campus | Immediate needs | Intermediate, 2 to 5 years | Long Term, 5 plus years | Quality Improvements | Total | ||
| Eisenhower | Cost estimates | $735,359 | $1,979,129 | $2,091,969 | $578,145 | $5,384,603 | |
| Cost per student | $657 | $1,769 | $1,870 | $517 | $4,814 | ||
| 1,184 students, built 1969 | New Berlin West | Cost estimates | $826,645 | $1,553,129 | $1,813,040 | $469,108 | $4,661,921 |
| Cost per student | $589 | $1,106 | $1,291 | $334 | $3,320 | ||
| 1,209 students, built 1961 with additions | Elmwood | Cost estimates | $51,982 | $242,161 | $152,143 | $25,358 | $471,645 |
| Cost per student | $86 | $400 | $251 | $42 | $780 | ||
| 494 students, built 2001 | Glen Park | Cost estimates | $690,984 | $1,134,735 | $1,648,218 | $304,286 | $3,778,223 |
| Cost per student | $1,599 | $2,627 | $3,815 | $704 | $8,746 | ||
| 297 students, built 1965 | Orchard Lane | Total cost | $380,358 | $538,841 | $840,591 | $297,948 | $2,057,738 |
| Cost per student | $629 | $891 | $1,389 | $492 | $3,401 | ||
| 321 students, built 1960s with additions | Poplar Creek | Cost estimates | $361,340 | $697,323 | $678,305 | $240,895 | $1,977,863 |
| Cost per student | $539 | $1,041 | $1,012 | $360 | $2,952 | ||
| 490 students, built 1950s with 2004 addition | Ronald Reagan | Cost estimates | $48,179 | $139,465 | $228,215 | $228,215 | $644,073 |
| Cost per student | $52 | $150 | $246 | $246 | $693 | ||
| 638 students, built 2004 | Total costs | $3,094846 | $6,259,425 | $7,427,124 | $2,194,670 | $18,976,065 |
From the School District of New Berlin Strategic Facilities Assessment by the consulting firm IFF
These estimates do not include soft costs or contingencies that IFF estimates at about 30 percent, making the total $25 million
AT A GLANCE
Highest priority areas of improvements recommended in the IFF report as immediate term improvements for each school:
Eisenhower Middle/High School
Upgrade to code-compliant wiring and conduit
Replace doors on building's south side near the auditorium
Replace cooler and freezer in the kitchen. (This was completed before the report was finalized)
New Berlin West Middle/High School
Replace flickering light fixtures in problem areas;
Repair the exterior bowing masonry wall near loading dock area
Remove all stored materials from the electrical/mechanical rooms.
Elmwood Elementary School
Resolve the issue causing water to overflow from the swale south of the building
Adjust or add to the kitchen's exhaust system to better collect dishwasher steam
Glen Park Elementary School
Upgrade fire alarm protection system and maintenance program
Upgrade utility service entrances
Upgrade exit signs and emergency lighting to include battery back up
Orchard Lane Elementary School
Replace deteriorated exterior doors
Upgrade exit signs and emergency lighting to include battery back up
Inspect exterior brick façade and tuckpoint as needed
Poplar Creek Elementary
Upgrade fire alarm protection system in older parts of the building
Remove all stored materials from the electrical/mechanical rooms
Install ADA-compliant accessible lockers
Ronald Reagan Elementary
Replace flickering light fixtures in problem areas
Repair gymnasium demising curtain motor
Engage appropriate engineer to resolve issues with building system's control logic
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12 COMMENTS
NewBerlinJayne - Oct 17, 2011 5:54 PM - Report Abuse
Hopefully, this is just the result of careless editing. But it does cause the reader to beg the question, "What other less obvious, but more critical pieces of misinformation are fed to us through our local media without the benefit of an truly engaged, free and independent press?" Are all those numbers the BOE and their consulting firm really accurate? I've lived here for over thirty years. In that time, I can't count how many dollars (millions?) the various BOE's have spent on facility studies and consultants, and yet the same problems remain, and another comsultant if retained. This is an example is fiscal conservativism?
I watch and/or attend meetings, and there is little if any discussion among BOE members. How can this be? Are we to believe that there is no diversity of opinion? It's either that, or the BOE is violating the Open Meetings Law through the use of a floating quorum. Either possibility is disturbing.
Please Ms. Ford Stuart, we, the citizens of NB, deserve better. Be a true journalist; hold our elected officials accountable. You may not have the most glamorous job in media, but God knows there are more than enough stories to keep you busy in New Berlin for a very long time.
Thank you.
had to comment - Oct 17, 2011 6:29 PM - Report Abuse
The school system just keeps getting better....that's a joke by the way.
Intrigued - Oct 17, 2011 9:36 PM - Report Abuse
Had to Comment / Vox / Pray - a former and dumped elected BOE official writes,
"...and one high school and one middle school."
One?
I thought New Berlin had 2 - of each. Ike and West - High and Middle Schools. Right?
Must be Freudian.
Oh yeah, when you were a BOE member, you and Richter and Moore x2 tried to launch a $100Million NEW Facility / Educational Model that consisted of new buildings - featuring ONE / 1 / UNO - New & Huge High School and Middle School - because you Libs let the old building's decay...planning on a tax increase referendum scheme to pay for the new facilities. Because you believe money to pay for facilities is "different" money than the operating budget, which is 80% allocated to teacher / staff compensation and you wanted that for yourself...and more. Just like a prior explanation in your "body of work" stating a mortgage payment is "different" money.
You wanted One Huge / Cramped New High School and One Huge / Cramped New Middle School. You...and Richter and Moore x2.
You were voted out because of it and your tax and spend public union entitlement agenda and schemes.
Current Conservative BOE is preserving the 2 High / Middle School model and still having to deal with your facility mismanagement, including a round and old incredibly stupid poorly conceived building.
had to comment - Oct 18, 2011 12:21 AM - Report Abuse
Now you're blaming the liberals...the ones who wanted to spend all the money on the schools for not spending enough on the schools and letting them fall into disrepair......do you hear your stupidity ?
Your plan failed....as everyone with a fiscal brain told you it would. You're now getting ready to dump another 25 million into patching things up rather then spending far less in the first place and having everything set for a nice 40 year run for the families of New Berlin and their children. Pathetic !
Intrigued - Oct 18, 2011 7:42 AM - Report Abuse
Intriguing that my "body of work" has the Libs upset and the only way "someone" like me is able to "talk" this way is because I must be "someone"...but, now drunk. Sorry, HTC / Vox / Pray / Richter / Moore x2, this subject matter is not that difficult to comprehend. Why is it you never call me a regular joe 6-pack? As much as you try to dumb down everyone in order to convince others (more yourselves) that you know better, it isn't working. You don't even run candidates for BOE anymore. Why? But, you come on these blogs and lie and scheme, pushing your rejected militant public union entitlement - protecting the dead weight - behavior?
Your last paragraph is priceless. 40 year run? When you had the last 40 year run, you let the facilities decay and even pushed for the elimination of phonics because YOU knew better. YOU wanted $100Million to start all over, just on facilities. All at once. With NEW and incremental tax money to support your failed adventure.
You wanted huge and cramped super schools when you were in charge, but now when an Elmwood or Ronald Reagan - BUILT FOR KIDS FOR QUALITY AND EFFICIENT EXPANSION - is ready to be maximized v. the round insane building built for a few, you reject?
This BOE is managing facilities out of the operating budget. HUGE difference. AND, KEY. And, doing well. This report seems to prove that, much to your lies and displeasure all these years. Managing and balancing short-term needs with long-term needs. Operating budget v. New Tax Referendums (for facilities). And, not believing the Union over their inflated contract bids. This is the core question and decision. The one you try to avoid and lie about.
had to comment - Oct 18, 2011 2:16 PM - Report Abuse
It's sort of like your 100 million dollar referendum, which is just another lie. Cite some evidence of a 100 million dollar referendum. The only place you'll find that data is just above your eyes and to the back....your brain. This is where a lot of your body of work is generated and created from.
So now that class sizes are booming up, and class offerings continue to dwindle....it's just best to let you fail.
I think there will be some angry Glen Park parents on the horizon and now that people can see the board is headed towards one high school and one middle school...which I predicted years ago as the next way to suck money out of the budget, well, I think you'll start getting a bunch of angry high school parents.
You can't build a better school system by starving it financially. Infrastructure and programs require money, and people who give a darn, things you don't like to provide.
Intrigued - Oct 18, 2011 3:38 PM - Report Abuse
So, HTC / Vox / Pray denies their "plan" of yesteryear? The one that helped get them removed from office?
The core of their plan was 1 New Super High School for all of New Berlin and 1 New Super Middle School for all of New Berlin. (Note: HTC agitates / instigates like a good and loyal Obama Lib street soldier - now - about 1 high school and 1 middle school - when she started the concept over 10 years ago?)
Then when New Berlin realized their Lib agenda, the Richter / Pray / Moore x2 group offered up a 2 high school solution in brand name only, but 1 Super High School Building, like West Bend, citing the efficiencies in 1 Building, but maintaining the separate colors, uniforms and teams by maintaining the West / IKE identity.
Citing West Bend. hehe. However, they never addressed the fact (lying about the truth) West Bend never gained efficiencies and never experienced lower costs...and in fact / truth, actual costs went up as the teacher union / public union stranglehold over the district, decisions and decision makers and money only meant increased costs and even increased staffing...even though, even though...West Bend reduced the number of high school buildings from 2 to 1.
All a Lib / Public Union entitlement sham and scheme...through the use of the Lib Facility angle. (Just like "roads".) All at the same time their "partners" over at City Hall (led by the likes of then Mayor Gatzke and Alderman Patzer, Wilkens, Gallagher and (then) Alderman Chiovatero, were laying the seed for their City Center desires and interests.
This started the voting of them out of office. But, they resurrect the same rhetoric now? From the peanut gallery? Hmmm. They have brought us "We Care" New Berlin and "Take Back Our City"...it now sounds like they are preparing "Occupy New Berlin", this time with the help of the DOJ, as they still have the power of the Mayor's Office.
had to comment - Oct 18, 2011 4:00 PM - Report Abuse
Why are the fiscal conservatives in there. Because they told the voters they could have lower taxes and better schools. Whoops, I guess that's not happening. You really should have promised lower taxes and fewer schools, with less stuff for the students to learn and in classrooms with more kids in them.
Anyone with a brain knows that's just rhetoric to get elected on...that it's like offering a free lunch. You get a lot of takers....but it doesn't materialize. But, people love hearing it and so they vote...but eventually the crap hits the fan. Eventually people wake up, but it's after all the damage is done.
Now it's your turn for more made up nonsense.
geno53151 - Oct 18, 2011 8:55 PM - Report Abuse
Intrigued - Oct 19, 2011 9:34 AM - Report Abuse
Under your watch, you allowed the buildings to decay pulling from the Lib / Teacher Union playbook of going to referendums for new tax money scaring the taxpayer into thinking the roof would cave on their kids. Tried and true, especially in the early days after Thompson's/Republican QEO law. (Which was rescinded under Doyle / Libs, which allowed you to believe your gravy train would be enhanced...until Walker showed up.)
When citizens wised up and beat back School Boards in the back pocket of Libs / Public Unions / Teacher's Union, you went into full attack and threaten mode...and continue to this day. To "get even" and with incredible moral bankruptcy, you launch a "Scorched Earth" plan that significantly impacts the health of children, families and community.
It was this realization that got you dumped from office and you remain bitter and even more militant to this day. Especially, in light of the Lib backed communities and decision makers like Middleton, Madison, and West Bend, that allow the public unions to get all they want and then some...but, you are thwarted and blocked here in New Berlin. Only because of your reign.
Your plan was/is to government tax and tax - and spend and spend - on the taxpayer - and take care of your own first - at the expense of the taxpayer...and now, when proven - AGAIN - to be a failure, to double down and spend even more...and call any that oppose "too stupid to understand". Isn't this thinking at the core of Greece and their insolvency? Western Europe? Your plan? (Yes, as you body of work has time and time again detailed support for European Socialism.)
There wasn't an ACTUAL $100Million referendum? Nope...as you were rejected by the citizens and the BOE gave up on the scheme - even after you tried to downscale to a $85Million plan. And, then you were then dumped out of office.
But, you still "know better". But, won't run for office?