so I've been told by all the same people who want this particular deal done.
Mind you though I've not heard anythink from the folks who is providing around 60% of our own money to pay for the bricks and mortar, the MSBA.
Thankfully CANDIDATE for COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE KATERINA has shown bold leadership and initiative enough to ask questions and not succumb to only the information we have been spoon fed. Not everyone's livestock is in the same herd, What's your brand?
I'll give you KATERINA has some pretty romantic notions about construction of a new school but hey the ROMANTIC poets are my favorite ones,. COLERIDGE specifically. I took a clas in college.
Anyway, here is her e mail to prove that she is actually doing something and not just blowing smoke or spreading DAISIES:
| From: | Katerina Panagiotakis Koudanis (lin@aikaterini.com) |
| Sent: | Wed 8/21/13 10:08 PM |
| To: |
Parts of this message have been blocked for your safety.
|
c'est la....
Dear Mr. John K. McCarthy, Interim Executive Director ;
Begin forwarded message:
From: Katerina Panagiotakis Koudanis <lin@aikaterini.com>
Subject: MSBA: Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Lynn MA
Date: August 21, 2013 10:06:30 PM EDT
Re: Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Lynn MA
In the event the residents of the City of Lynn do not approve the 92 million bond while voting on September 17, to build Marshall Middle School on Brookline Street, will the City of Lynn have an opportunity to select another site option as listed in the *memo dated March 27, 2013, and not have the school be removed from the list at this time? Many citizens need to know what this will do to the procedure, since the study phase has initiated. Or will the city need to reapply to construct on the existing site, and how long will the process take?
I have heard many constituents say they fear the Brookline Street site will now cost more than initially planned because of changes in the foundation plans and many fear the school will be placed by the railroad tracks. I noticed this is the same concern of the MSBA, and was also wondering if this question was addressed?
If the bond vote fails, it will likely be because of the site selection. Many fear Lynn students will brave crossing or walking along the tracks to get to school; the teachers will not open the windows on the track side; and the cage around the outdoor playing field on the roof is not ideally comforting. It was also recently discovered the City of Lynn chose Brookline site to avoid a legal battle with another developer, in which I do not believe the site selection was in the best interest of the children. (See attached email.)
I believe there are practical reasons to build on the existing site/ Option 1A (from memo of March 27, 2013), and it is a better site selection for the long run.
- In the past 3 years, several homes around the school went for sale. In the next 3 years, during construction many more are likely to go for sale. With friendly takings, when homes are up for sale outdoor play space can continue to be extended until eventually complete. The school department could inform homeowners of intent so homes do not sell fast.
- The existing site is now less expensive and will cost approximately 9 million less. It has a lower construction cost to begin with. Considering the cost increase of the foundation and the lawsuit for Brookline St.
- Option 1A offers more building square footage, meeting Lynn's rising student population.
- It is a neighborhood school, in a better location than near the train tracks.
- The project can be completed in phases, where the annex is torn down to add new classrooms, and then work on rehabbing existing building in phases. Area churches in the past have picked up classrooms while schools were renovated.
- Marshall Middle School is a beautiful historic building, a jewel if renovated
* Reference memo from March 27, 2013: http://www.massschoolbuildings.org/sites/default/files/edit-contentfile/2013%20Board%20Meetings/April%203,%202013/Lynn_PS%20Memo_Final.pdf
Awaiting eagerly, your reply with answers to my questions before the important vote.
Thank you,
Katerina Panagiotakis Koudanis
Candidate for Councilor-at-Large
Member of the Historical Commission
64 Nahant St. #2
Lynn, MA 01902
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
This is an excerpt from the MSBA website regarding the impact of a failed vote:
ReplyDelete"The MSBA appreciates the challenges that school districts face, but the MSBA’s regulations specifically include this 120-day deadline for a local appropriation to ensure that the MSBA’s capital program funds are targeted toward projects and school districts that are ready and able to make the financial commitment and move forward in a timely manner. Given the overwhelming capital needs of school districts across the Commonwealth and the MSBA’s limited capital program funds, the MSBA cannot
indefinitely tie up funds allocated for a project that lacks local support. A failed local vote likely will result in the school district being required to submit a new Statement of Interest to the MSBA and await an invitation from the MSBA to enter the Eligibility Period phase of the MSBA’s process."
This city cannot afford to start the process over and wait another decade for a new school to be built!
Lori, Thank you for responding.
ReplyDeleteThe Eligibility period process is 270 days, before continuing to Feasibility Phase. The state will reduce the wait time with projects in order. Since Marshall already passed the Eligibility period the first time and has gone through the Feasibility Phase, it would not be 270 days. Plenty of time to recap, and get things in order to be done right for the long term. Can we wait a few months for better planning? If there is a wait. There might be reconsideration and that is my question.
I bumped into Steven Grossman, State Treasurer at the St. George Festival on Labor Day Weekend to ask him this question.
ReplyDeleteHe responded, there would be a Statement required by the town why the vote failed, and the town would have to reapply.
I asked- How long will the process take for site reconsideration since the Eligibility period and Feasibility period were already approved and passed, as the time could be much less.
He shrugged, said he did not know the answer right away and would get back.
In other words, 2± years to plan things right (for the next 100 years.)
Secondly- Why cannot we organize a group of volunteers to paint and seal the interior of school buildings. Many of the photos from school buildings show flacking paint. Why let these conditions continue for children even for a day?
I agree with you, whether or not the plan passes there is a PRESENT danger that needs to be addressed. If they think they are safe from the dangers of lead because the children are older then they are forgeting that those same middle schoolers bring home lead dust and other contaminants to their little brothers and sisters at home.
DeleteIf the proponents of the BOND TRULY cared about the KIDS then they would do something immediately!