School Board Wants $420,000 to Keep K-1 School Open

According to a letter sent last May to Mayor Kant, the Baldwin County School System needs $420,000 (for upgrades/repairs) from the city "before the start of school in the fall of 2010."

But, contrarily, the letter goes on to say some of the items "can wait for a year."

In addition, the letter indicates the Mayor has offered to provide a discount for electricity.

Councilmember Quinn recently called it a "laundry list" and indicated she thought the city's immediate tasks may only be some limited exterior landscaping, electrical maintenance, etc.

Quinn said she worried if the children (some 450) were to be transfered this fall to the newly constructed school (corner Section /Bayou Streets)--they could never come back to the K-1 (in case of overcrowding at the new building)-- because it (K-1) would have to then be brought fully up to current building codes (very costly).

Comments

Marcus said…

So, it's OK for 450 kids to be in a building that ISN'T up to code? Really? I have a child who will be in kindergarten there this fall, and I would much rather that he be at the new school. The K1 center is cute & quaint, but it is a very old building that is in a rapid state of decline. The school board can't afford to keep it open, especially with the current state of financial disaster, coupled with the loss of sales tax revunue from the oil spill. It could easily be sold to Faulkner or USA and remain a school, just not a delapidated, moldy, bordering-on-dangerous place to send kindergartners. It's time for everyone to get real about the financial realities of keeping it in its current form.

Friday, July 09, 2010