There are a number of schools struggling to raise money for playground projects. Terrace Park for example was built without a playground because district management knew that parents and staff would take pity on their children and build a playground on their own. In fact, deleting a playground from the scope of construction at Terrace Park even improved the chances of passing a bond with a Capital Partnership element to it. District management knows what they are doing and what they are doing is immoral.Our children need playgrounds.
When I left the District in June of 2007, there was a substantial amount of money left for Capital Partnerships. We had just fully-funded every project that applied for matching money and still had more than $150,000.00 in the fund. When the responsibility of managing those projects was moved to Capital Projects, where they charge management fees and overhead, the $150,000.00 went straight into their budget without any future rounds planned.
It would be far better to have another round of projects and combining forces would result in $300,000.00 in additional investment in scarce or deficient playground features. In fact, rather than just sign over $150,000.00 to the Capital Projects Office, why not just fully-fund all of the projects in the last round. Pay for everything. One hundred percent. Not the best or most equitable option but it is a lot better than just slipping the money to a department already flush with cash.
Our children need playgrounds.
The latest information from the tip line suggests that Westgate Elementary and Meadowdale Elementary are also struggling to raise money for their playground projects. Westgate's playground is sad and embarrassing. Meadowdale is another case where the playground was under-built during the construction of the school. In an earlier round, parents managed to plan, purchase and install an amazing playground with minimal effort from District staff.
Our children need playgrounds.
If you want to see your money used to build the playgrounds your children were promised, call Ed Peters (425-431-7170) and ask him if there will be another round. If you prefer to email, by all means, send him an anonymous message. The voters designated the funds to be used to build partnership projects. It isn't a partnership when the public spends $150,000.00 to lose $300,000.00 in value added to the District. The District needs to play fair and honor their commitments.
Editorial: Thank you to the caller that left this message on the tip line.
3 comments:
After having been employed by the Edmonds School District for many years in an elementary school, it is true, the district relies on PTA parent groups to raise money for playground equipment. Why should they spend district dollars for kids when they can stuff their pockets with self imposed raises; they could care less about kids. I brought clothing from home for kids when they got soaking wet on the playground. A covered play area could remedy this issue, but it just doesn't happen.
As long as parent groups take on these huge projects the district will not use any of the tax payers dollars. Beside it would take away from them getting the big raises. It no different then employees working over time and not timesheeting those hours. How will the business know what it really cost to education our students?
I believe that the District does know that employees work numerous hours , some unpaid, overtime, because they CARE about their job and the kids they work with; they choose to ignore these hours worked, and just "pad" their budgets with raises for non-union jobs. Remember, these folks DO NOT work with KIDS; they sit at a desk at ESC and write their PDQ's on district time, and these are almost ALWAYS approved.
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