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COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENCE ON THE
FACILITIES ISSUE
Archive of messages from September 21, 2004 - November 3,
2004
E-Mail correspondence
between community members and the Board of Education, on the
facilities issue, is presented here (most recent messages are
first):
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November
3, 2004 Yvonne Dahl to the School Board November 2, 2004 Kevin and Janell Hoey to the School Board November 2, 2004 Chris Vroman to the School Board November 2, 2004 Patrick Dorn, Winnequah M.S. Music Coordinator and Music Staff to the School Board November 1, 2004 Dan Millin to the School Board November 1, 2004 Jessica Quiroga to the School Board October 29, 2004 Donald V. Latorraca to the School Board October 29, 2004 Jim Shropshire to the School Board October 25, 2004 Jeff Beckett to the MG Web Site October 24, 2004 John and Sheila Nelson to the School Board October 23, 2004 Tom Groth to the School Board October 22, 2004 Laura Bowles to the School Board October 21, 2004 Danl Dickens to the School Board October 21, 2004 Kim Hubing to the School Board October 21, 2004 Mark and Jennifer Pickel to the School Board October 21, 2004 Tim and Joann Stanton to the School Board October 21, 2004 Mary S. Landry to the School Board October 20, 2004 Susan Welsch to the School Board October 20, 2004 Mark Buffat and Mark A. Nelson, Concerned Citizens from Monona and Cottage Grove, to the School Board October 19, 2004 Anne Schoenemann to the School Board October 19, 2004 Kevin Mikelbank, Richard Sonn, Deb Whalen, Daniel Zweifel to the School Board October 18, 2004 Mary S. Landry to the School Board October 18, 2004 Kimberly Miller to the School Board October 18, 2004 Richard Klinke to the School Board October 17, 2004 Shawn Steenhagen and Rhonda Holler-Steenhagen to the School Board October 17, 2004 Lisa jo VonAllmen to the School Board October 16, 2004 Jack W. Henrich to the School Board October 14, 2004 Deborah Trzinski-Becker to the School Board October 11, 2004 Jeff Rubbelke to the School Board October 7, 2004 Gary Ferron to the School Board October 7, 2004 Allen Ruid to the School Board October 6, 2004 Mike and Debbie Kreigh to the School Board October 5, 2004 Diane Smith to the School Board October 4, 2004 Laura Weber to the School Board October 4, 2004 Jim Walden to the School Board October 2, 2004 Cory and Janet Nelson to the School Board September 25, 2004 Lisa Rogers to the School Board September 21, 2004 Christine Toal to the School Board |
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Yvonne
Dahl to the School
Board
Sent: Wed 11/3/2004 4:53 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: I bought my home 6 years ago in Monona. I came back to Wisconsin to raise my children and to be close to my family. I am very concerned about the school issues. I am a single mother of 4 children. All of which are enrolled in the Monona School District. I realize this is a school board decision, but I want input from the city I live in as well as the school board. What will the impact be on the city? Higher taxes? Empty buildings? Hour bus rides to transport my children to school? I had 1 child in every school in the Monona District last year. The convenience alone is why I bought my home here. I am very upset that the city itself doesn't stand up for us. I read an article in the paper today that was upsetting also. An interview of a parent in Cottage Grove stated our concerns are just emotional. Well so are theirs. I am thinking about the increase in property taxes that will be assessed to help support the building of new schools. I think the most economical solution and least costly, would be to revamp the already existing buildings that have been let go. Do the maintenance to bring them up to date. I think also if Cottage Grove is growing so rapidly...then maybe they should divide from us and do their own thing. I understand that the housing market sells a house almost as fast as it vacates, with the new senior housing built on Monona Dr. It seems to me that Monona is also growing. Certainly not at the rate of Cottage Grove, but growing non the less. And isn't that part of the charm of Monona? That it is small and quiet? The parents of Cottage Grove also have emotional issues at stake too. But lets remember they choose to move and build to Cottage Grove knowing full well their children will be bussed to Monona. If it was good enough then it should be good enough now. Thank you for listening. Yvonne Dahl
We have reviewed
the information from
the school district
website. Thanks to
Gary Schumacher, Jeff
Avery and the rest of
the administrative staff
for all the extensive
information on building
and operational costs. After
studying all of the
data, attending the
public forum on October
20th, and
reading all the letters
posted on the website we
would like to offer our
support for a new middle
school for grades 5-8.
There were many factors
which influenced us, too
many to state here.
However, here is a
summary of our primary
reasons: 1)
Renovating
Winnequah, while being
attractive because it is
the least expensive
option on the table, has
some shortcomings that
cannot be remedied.
First, it will increase
enrollment at Taylor
Prairie and Cottage
Grove School beyond
optimal levels, and keep
levels at Maywood and
Nichols elementary
schools below optimal
levels. Gary
Schumacher commented on
this issue in his
introduction at the
public forums. At TP and
CG schools, this model
will put stress on gym,
cafeteria, parking,
playground facilities,
traffic safety, and
support staff, just to
name a few.
Most of these
contingent issues
don’t appear to be
addressed in this model.
We are concerned
that the TP and CG
facilities are at or
near capacity and
certain components
cannot be adequately
modified to handle more,
similar to the current
problems at Winnequah.
We don’t want to
recreate similar
conditions at Taylor
Prairie and Cottage
Grove elementary
schools. 2)
Building a new
intermediate (5-6)
facility in Cottage
Grove results in high
operational costs which
are duplicative and can
be avoided. As a district, we don’t gain enough to make it worth the
additional operational
costs. 3)
Although we can
remodel Winnequah into
an adequate facility,
there is only
so much that can be done
with a remodeled
building. A new school
will allow for new
technology and
electrical demands,
new science labs at each
grade level and the
flexibility to meet
future needs of our
communities. A new
middle school will allow
students to have a
centralized area at each
grade level. A new
middle school could help
relieve the stresses
at the two Cottage Grove
schools, or at least not
create added stress.
A new school will
also prepare us for
continued growth in
Cottage Grove while
maintaining good
facilities in Monona
that can absorb future
student population
cycles in Monona. In
summary, we would
like to voice our
support for a new middle
school for grades 5-8,
in some form. We
know it is more
expensive up front than
other options.
However, we think
it’s the most cost
effective because it
presents a solution to
the issue of long term
growth trends for the
district. It allows for
facilities to reopen in
Monona when the student
population does resurge
and it takes the burden
off of the EC-5 schools
in Cottage Grove.
We would also
like to reply to some
comments from
others at the meetings
and from the letters on
the website: 1)
This issue should
not be about busing.
Because of the
logistics of this school
district, busing of some
of our students cannot
be avoided. Period.
Let’s focus on
busing our students
in an efficient manner
to the best learning
environment(s) we can
provide. There is
no value difference in
busing a Cottage Grove
student vs. a Monona
student.
However,
operational cost
differences for the
different busing options
should be considered
just like other factors.
After all, every
dollar we spend on
transportation is a
dollar we cannot spend
in our classrooms. 2)
While it is
challenging, the growth
in Cottage Grove is not
“out of control.”
It is similar to
the growth being
experienced by most
communities and
virtually every school
district in Dane County
over the last several
years.
It’s a fact of
life we must cope with.
Ignoring it,
criticizing it or hoping
it will stop is not an
effective method for
coping with it.
Kevin and Janell
Hoey
316 Fox Circle Chris Vroman to the School Board Sent: Tue 11/2/2004 4:43 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: school facilities issue
Thank
you for allowing the
public some input on
this issue. I
have five children,
four of whom are in
school at this time.
I have one in each of
the four schools.
I have heard from my
children how the
middle school is
lacking in space.
I have also seen how
space is lacking at
Taylor Prairie.
I am not sure that
expanding the
elementary schools is
a good idea. You
talk about adding
classroom space, but
what about adding
space for common areas
such as the cafeteria,
gym, music rooms, art
rooms, etc. In
adding just
classrooms, you add
children and that
means more kids to go
through the same lunch
room and other rooms
where space is at a
premium already.
The same goes for the
middle school.
My children had to
take gym class in the
cafeteria. That
is not okay with me.
I
am not sure if
building a new middle
school in Cottage
Grove for Cottage
Grove students only is
the best solution.
I am also not sure
that building a 5-6
school for Cottage
Grove students is the
best solution either.
I am not sure I
believe having two
separate middle
schools will provide
the quality of
education that I
expect my children to
receive. How
would the sporting and
after school
curriculars work with
two separate schools?
What about quality
education?
I
believe whatever the
outcome, we need more
space or a new school
in Cottage Grove, but
it should not be at
the expense of the
quality programming I
expect my children to
receive in this school
district.
Thank
you,
Chris
Vroman, Cottage
Grove resident
First, as a music staff, we would like to thank you for tackling this project and committing to coming forward with some proposal for a referendum. Whatever the outcome, it has been a long time coming and we believe is a positive step in the direction of improving facilities for district middle school students. Our purpose in this letter is not to take a stance on the options, but simply give you our perspective on the ramifications the various options have for music programming. You can then factor this into the difficult decision process that lies ahead. This letter will not detail all of our concerns. It is impractical to do so and more information than you need at this time. We are hopeful (in fact, we are pleading with you) that when a direction is set, the music department will be given input as to the design of any renovated or new facility. With that said, here are our basic comments regarding the various options. Option
I – A.
New Middle School,
grades 5-8 (including
option where Monona
students begin in 6th
grade). Our
primary comment here is
that this plan effectively
kills the entire middle
school concept, something
the district has worked
toward making a reality
for many years.
The middle school
concept is theoretically
designed for a 6-8 grade
configuration. You
can ditto the concerns for
Option II A, plus add an
additional concern about
the difficulty of
delivering the 6th-grade
band curriculum. At
present, band is started
in 6th grade
when all district students
come to Winnequah. This
works very well.
Staffing,
instrumentation, physical
equipment and space needs
all become areas of
concern when the 6th-graders
are split between two
buildings. 5. Sizes of the large-group rehearsal rooms remain inadequate, particulary given the growing student population. At present, the entire 6th and 7th-grade bands do not fit in the band room, orchestra is close to not fitting and the remaining groups are extremely tight squeezes. We
believe renovation is very
workable and have many
ideas for addressing the
above-mentioned issues, as
well as others.
The ideas may even
save construction costs in
the long run. The music
staff cannot endorse the
renovation design as it is
put forward in this plan. Dan
Millin to the School Board While community schools and bussing are important to many who have spoken on this issue, they are not my primary concern. Bussing my children to Cottage Grove is fine with me as long as the quality of education remains high. I grew up in a rural community and rode the bus to school for over 9 years. That said, I have to look at this situation from two of your three listed criteria, fiscal soundness and political feasibility. From what I have seen, it appears to me that the problem is not so much a shortage of space, as it is having space in a different place than the children. I really don’t believe that mothballing one or two schools to build a new one makes good fiscal sense. It would make more sense to me to bring the children to the school than bringing the school to the children. With my property taxes increasing by 29% last year, the additional cost of building and operating a new school seems excessive. I know of a number of people who have sold homes in this community because the taxes have increased so dramatically. In terms of political feasibility, I believe that any referendum will be an extremely tough sell at this point in either community. The additional expense of building and staffing a new school at this time may doom the entire issue to failure. Clearly something has to be done. Of the plans proposed, expansion and remodeling of existing facilities seems the fiscally prudent and most politically feasible solution. Some have said that this is a band-aid solution. For now, it may be the only solution that has a chance of success. Again, thank you for your time and consideration. Dan Millin Monona Jessica Quiroga to the School Board Sent: Mon 11/1/2004 10:51 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: Facilities issue Dear School Board members, In my opinion, the residents of Monona and the residents of Cottage Grove simply do not share the same philosophy, not only on the facilities issue, but also of lifestyle, in general. To illustrate this point I'd like to share my story of buying my first house. My husband and I fell in love with the community of Monona and decided to make it our home. My husband found this "great house" in Monona and asked me to take a look at it. I walked into the house, looked around and said, "No way". In my mind, our first house would be a new two-story, needing no work. This house was a fifty year-old ranch, needing a lot of work. However, my husband took me from room to room, laid out a financially reasonable plan for improvements, and gave me a whole new vision of this house that we now own. I know several Monona residents that have shared similar stories. My point is simply this; Monona residents have made the choice to live in this community and have made certain sacrifices to do so. We could easily reside in Cottage Grove and have newer houses and newer schools, but our philosophy is to expand on what we have and maintain this great community. Now, I'm sure Cottage Grove and Monona residents share the philosophy of desiring what is best for our kids. But I fail to see why the renovation plans pose such a problem for the residents of Cottage Grove, considering the fact that they made a choice that was best for their families. Cottage Grove residents chose to live in a community without established schools that must have met their needs in other ways. If, perhaps, people are unhappy about that choice, I do not see why Monona residents have to be punished for it, by having our schools and our choice taken away. We have established schools here and are willing to renovate to accomodate the needs of Cottage Grove residents. Philosophical differences aside, there's no good reason to close down schools in Monona. While no studies show that new facilities benefit students academically, I think we can all think of financial benefits to students by saving money through renovation. Also, there is no reason why renovation can't take into account the growing Cottage Grove community. I don't think any serious consideration would be given to renovation if it were simply a "band-aid" approach. We need to not allow our differing philosophies and ideas stand in the way of what is truly best for our children and our existing communities. All in all,I just hope that we can reach a decision that is academically, financially and morally responsible. Sincerely, Jessica Quiroga
Donald V. Latorraca to the School Board Sent: Fri 10/29/2004 11:18 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: school referendum I have had an opportunity to review the Board's proposals. I want to commend the Board for thinking outside of the box. For example, the Board has recognized that the different needs in each community may warrant different structures for the K-8 education in Monona and Cottage Grove. I recognize the need to make substantial improvements to the MG School District's infrastructure, including in Cottage Grove. In reviewing the various options, I recognize the need for expansion of grade opportunities in Cottage Grove over the next several years (whether this means addition of a 6th grade now and ultimately 7-8 grade space later). However, I will not support this at the expense of shifting Monona children to CG for 6-8 education. We should not be creating opportunities in one community at the expense of the other community. Any proposal that does not respect this principle is destined for failure. The Board should also be aware of the unintended consequence of eliminating grades in Monona: Under Wisconsin's Open Enrollment law, Monona residents can attend school in other districts. A Monona parent might well consider transferring a child to Sennett, which is within walking distance for most Monona families. I also recognize that if we expand facilities in CG, that current population trends may warrant consolidating Monona's K-8 population in two facilities. Further, I also will not support Cottage Grove expansion without improvements to Monona's K-8 facilities. Our children should have access to comparable facilities, without regard to whether they reside in Cottage Grove or Monona. Finally, in reviewing the proposals, I could not discern the various transportation costs associated with them. Because of the substantial increases in fuel costs, I suspect that these costs have substantially increased in the past several months. Sincerely, Donald V. Latorraca
Jim Shropshire to the School Board Sent: Fri 10/29/2004 8:35 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities Dear public servants and neighbors, After a lifetime in the Monona Grove School District and careful consideration of the presented options, I write to you today to urge against the building of a new middle school in Cottage Grove. The difference in what will be provided for our district by building a new middle school vs remodeling our current buildings is simply not worth the added expenditures. Building where there is land and a majority of students but a lack of contributions to funding of the district, while taking away fine community schools from Monona is not politically feasible. There is little, if any, in the proposals that suggests to me that education of our students will be better with a new building, and the funds that might be saved with a remodeling project could most certainly be utilized for programs and salaries to provide for improved teaching for all the district. Maywood school is a gem; old yes, but located perfectly in the middle of the community with surely adequate facilities for elementary education. And a remodeled Winnequah, which is essential regardless of which proposal is chosen, will certainly provide excellent facilities and address nearly each of the listed limitations in the current building for middle schoolers. Additions to the 2 existing facilities in Cottage Grove as recommended will not be adequate for the future growth of this area and plans should be more directed at their communities needs to continue the ideal of the strong community schools within our district. I'm truly sorry to have seen a largely one sided dialogue at the district website and from the media surrounding the forums, and hope your internal debates will be much more open. Without significant changes in the proposals that puts emphasis on the value and importance of community schools for all of our districts younger children, I will struggle to support a referendum. I think we have an opportunity not just to respond to the needs of our district and students, but also to bring our communities together. Sacrificing existing schools in one community for new and expensive schools in another does little to unite us, and I question how it will provide for a better education for our children. Thank you for your service to our communities. Sincerely, Jim Shropshire
I’m really glad I got up and spoke at the meeting Wednesday night. I really didn’t want to. I was the last one - I very nearly didn’t make it. People who know me might say I’m a pretty middle of the road kind of guy, maybe open minded....maybe not. I lived in Monona from the day I turned 2 until I was 16. I moved back a few years ago and can see the house I grew up in from my back porch. My wife grew up in Monona too. We both loved growing up here. We decided to move back as part of our decision to have kids. Before the meeting, I was thinking that building a 5-8 in Cottage Grove might have some merit, some value. I was completely against it, but willing to listen to reason. Giving people three minutes to express their views is a good idea, but it seemed like a lot of people, myself included, had more on their minds than three minutes allowed. I think we should have a couple of debates. It was good to have an exchange of information, but no one had the opportunity or obligation to support their ideas. I don’t even know where any of the school board members stand on this and why. It seems the best situation would have the kids start attending school together in sixth grade. Keeping them apart until high school results in duplication of services. With two middle schools, the lower attendance at each (especially at Winnequah) coupled with fewer resources for instruction make it far more difficult to find the funding to support the variety and quality of instructional programming and extracurriculars we currently have at Winnequah. For the rest of this letter, I have assumed that we all agree that bringing students together in sixth grade is what’s best for the kids. There are a few things I keep hearing from those who favor building a 5-8 in Cottage Grove: 1. A state of the art facility will help us provide our kids with the best education possible. 2. We should not take a band-aid approach - we should do it right the first time. 3. All of the residents of the district need to come together, be willing to compromise, and do what is best for all of the kids in the district. 4. The majority of the district’s students live in Cottage Grove. If I were in a debate centered on options that bring the kids together in sixth grade, I would respond as follows: 1. I doubt that there is any way this can be proven, and I’d be interested to see what test scores indicate. The facility does not provide the education. A new 5-8 school would provide slightly better facilities than a remodeled and expanded Winnequah School, but no where even in the neighborhood of $17,000,000 to $22,000,000 better - that’s better than an updated and expanded Winnequah. Winnequah is in a better location, and that’s not easy to get back once it’s lost. I kind of wonder what’s wrong with the notion of using a portion of the additional $17,000,000 to $22,000,000 to make Winnequah state of the art. That’s if you assume $15,000,000 won’t make it state-of-the-art enough. The plans for the new Winnequah look pretty good. 2. Building a new 5-8 school provides remaining capacity of 32 students at Taylor Prairie School and 77 students at Cottage Grove School. I don’t know if the enrollments sited in the plans are current or projected. In either case, we could be over capacity at Taylor Prairie the day it’s converted. The new 5-8 school in Cottage Grove and a renovated Winnequah would both have a capacity of 750 for 6-8. If building a 5-8 in Cottage Grove is an advantage because we should not take a band-aid approach, then we must be planing to send EC-1 students living in Cottage Grove to Maywood. If we are not planning to send EC-1 students living in Cottage Grove to Maywood, then concept 1 is a state-of-the-art band-aid. 3. What is best for the kids? I’m pretty certain that I’m not sure. But I do believe compromise is the wrong term. I looked up compromise. It’s a settlement in which each side makes concessions. Please tell me: If we build a new 5-8 in Cottage Grove, what are the Cottage Grove residents’ concessions? It appears that building a 5-8 in Cottage Grove will result in more kids being bussed. The operations information says concept one requires an additional $177,156 in bus operations costs. That seems like quite a bit. How current is the diesel price used to determine that amount? I believe the cost of diesel fuel has about doubled in the past year or so. Anyhow, bussing more kids is the opposite of doing what’s best for all of the kids in the district. A new 5-8 school in Cottage Grove will cost district residents an additional $1,000,000 per year for 20 years. That’s in addition to the cost of the Winnequah renovation and expansion. The additional operating costs don’t stop after 20 years. I looked at the operating cost comparison information on the web site and couldn’t find any costs related to the four classroom addition to Cottage Grove School in 2007-2008 included in concept one. Am I overlooking something? I used part of my three minutes at the meeting to ask if this addition was included in the fiscal impact figures. The answer was yes. Do we need to update the operating impact figures to include four additional teachers, $1.45 per square foot, additional custodial costs, etc. at Cottage Grove School? If we do want the kids to get together in 6th grade, we have to choose between having the ability to put about $1,000,000 per year for the next 20 years toward instruction and extracurricular activities and a state-of-the-art facility that is not clearly justifiable. We each have to decide which is best for all of the kids in the district. 4. That’s true. Combine that fact with the amount of school district resources provided by each community to determine how much it costs each community, on average, to provide a K-12 education to the community’s residents. I determined the dollar amount provided by each community by multiplying the total tax levy for the district (2004 is a projected figure) by the equalized property value for each community as a percentage of the equalized property value for the school district, excluding TID and exempt computer values (I’ve excluded Madison, Sun Prairie, and Blooming Grove from the equalized property value percentages). I obtained the enrollment figures from the Hearing Presentation materials. The enrollment information by community is only available from 1999 to present. The table below lists each community’s average cost per resident student along with Cottage Grove’s average cost per resident student as a percentage of Monona’s average cost per resident student: Average Cost Per Resident Student by Community 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Cottage Grove 3,875 4,223 4,240 3,834 3,904 4,122 Monona 7,965 8,055 8,471 7,994 8,771 9,390 CG as % of M 48.7% 52.4% 50.1% 48.0% 44.5% 43.9% In total, for the same five year period, school district support provided by Monona exceeds school district support provided by Cottage Grove by approximately $20,000,000. That’s only the last five years. It appears that Cottage Grove gets an outstanding deal when it comes to the cost of educating community residents. Cottage Grove gets a better bargain now than five years ago. For Monona, the whole community benefits from having neighborhood schools. You’re all going to think I’ve lost my mind. Here’s my view in a nutshell: If it makes sense that the portion of district resources that goes to each community should be based on student population, then it makes sense that the portion of district resources provided by each community should be based on student population. Providing resources for services received makes sense. If that’s not the case, a compromise of any type would include some concessions on the part of the community of Cottage Grove. That’s why the schools are in Monona. To do otherwise, at this point, is simply not fair. Enough debating. I was talking to a Grover friend a while back about this issue and brought up people in Monona paying more for their homes than people in Cottage Grove. I was told that Cottage Grove people are sick of hearing that and it’s really got nothing to do with it. I related how our homes are pretty similar in size and probably cost about the same amount. He agreed. Then I noted how mine would be just as nice as his after I spend another $50,000 to $70,000 for remodeling and updates, and how I thought that Cottage Grove people are sick of hearing that because it’s true and it makes them feel guilty. He paused a bit, then said there just might be some truth to that. Building a 5-8 in Cottage Grove would be a great thing for Cottage Grove and a big blow to Monona. I may be as wrong as the day is long, but I can’t help but feel like the majority of Cottage Grove residents are acting like the Cottage Grove community is entitled to an awful lot for not very much. Furthermore, the enrollment projections are not guaranteed. Building a 5-8 school in Cottage Grove rather than renovating Winnequah does not make sense from an environmental standpoint. We would use up the land and all of the resources that go into the facility, leave Nichols and Maywood vacant, and underutilize Winnequah. It is far more common for Cottage Grove residents to be driving into Madison or Monona daily than vice versa. Those trips can be combined with school related trips. Cottage Grove would be an extra 20 miles nearly every time a Monona resident had to go to the school. As noted above, bus operating costs are projected to be $177,000 more per year with a new 5-8 school. Building new when not clearly warranted, runs contrary to responsible growth and conserving farm land and green space in Dane County. At the first meeting I attended, a gentleman stated that he thought that the presentation made by the Superintendent seemed biased in favor of building a 5-8 school in Cottage Grove. He referred to the final slide in the presentation as an example: "Building a New Middle School vs. Renovating & Expanding Current School". Followed by: "What will a new middle school provide that renovation and expansion will not?" This is followed by a list of eight items. There is no such listing of items that renovation and expansion will provide that a new middle school will not. I agree with that gentleman. I’ve tried to consider the benefits of concept one. The only thing I have found that a new 5-8 school would provide that a new Winnequah would not is conference and meeting spaces. The people who will receive the most direct benefit from building a new 5-8 school in Cottage Grove are those who own property in Cottage Grove, whether they live there or not. I think it would make sense to have the Superintendent and members of the School Board clearly state their positions on this issue to give citizens of both communities more perspective when considering information provided by any member of the group. A public debate might really help everyone sort through this important and complicated issue. Most of all, I wish everyone would take the time to review the proposals and get informed. I may be way out in left field, but I feel like getting informed has sure cleared things up for me. At the meetings, more than one speaker (I believe they were Cottage Grove residents) stated that their kids think coming together in 6th grade is more important than where the school is located. At this point, I believe that the only clear justification for selecting a new 5-8 school in Cottage Grove rather than a renovated Winnequah, is to give a large share of Cottage Grove residents what they believe they deserve - a shorter bus ride for their children. I’m not saying I won’t change my mind, but it would take a pretty sound line of reasoning and I don’t think such a thing exists in this case. Surprise me.... If I remember correctly, the three main goals to keep in mind are our children’s education, fiscal responsibility, and political acceptance. I wonder why political acceptance is included. Isn’t that a given? We have to pass a referendum. This is a very complicated and emotional issue. However, when it’s all said and done, renovation and expansion of Winnequah is, by far, the best alternative. I know I have no business speaking for those who favor renovation and expansion of Winnequah School - so let’s sing instead (all together now): Imagine there’s no political acceptance. It’s easy if you try. No Cottage Grove versus Monona...only the quality of our children’s lives. Imagine our children’s education and fiscal responsibility...whewhoooooooo. You may say I’m a dreamer...but I’m not the only one. We hope some day you will join us...and the school district can live as one. Jeff Beckett John and Sheila Nelson to the School Board Sent: Sun 10/24/2004 2:38 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities issue
I am writing in regards to the
facilities issue concerning the
Monona Grove School District, as I
was unable to attend the recent
meetings. I am a resident of
Cottage Grove and I have two
children. I currently have a
son at Taylor Prairie School and a
daughter who will begin school
next year. I believe it is
in the best interest of students
in both Monona and Cottage Grove
to build a new 5-8 building in
Cottage Grove.
I
am a middle school teacher, and
quite frankly, I am appalled at
the condition of Winnequah MIddle
School. We are over
capacity, we have inadequate
Science labs, music rooms,
cafeteria space, etc. The
thought of adding on or making
renovations is clearly an
unacceptable choice! It is
time that we look into the future,
recognize the need for our
children, and make the necessary
changes to provide a high-quality
education. Is isn't an issue
of bussing kids, or separating
Cottage Grove and Monona.
It's an issue of working together
as a community and doing what is
right for our students!
Students in Monona and Cottage
Grove would benefit from our
decision to build a 5-8 building.
This district has made too
many "short term"
decisions on the buildings and
programs for our students.
It's time we start making EDUCATED
decisions about the future of our
school district!
John
and Sheila Nelson
Tom Groth to the School Board Sent: Sat 10/23/2004 2:50 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: Top Notch Education, Financial Responsibility and Political Approvals
Greetings Monona
Grove School Board,
Thank you for
spending your time this past week
listening to the residents of the
Monona Grove School District express
their views on the facilities issue.
I would like to take a few minutes
of your time, without the
egg-timer-ticking, to fully
explain why I believe a major
renovation at Winnequah School and
additions to Taylor Prairie and CG
Elementary schools are the best
choice for a February Referendum.
Wednesday night I
heard several parents state that a
new middle school is needed so that
our students receive the best
possible education in a modern
facility. Monona Grove High
School was built 5 years ago and the
High School standardized test scores
have not improved since the new
school opened. I contend that
new buildings improve the overall
enjoyment of the teachers, parents
and students, but they do not
improve education.
Many parents are
concerned that adding space to
Taylor Prairie and CG Elementary
will take the student population
over the recommended 300 - 400
students for an elementary school.
Building a new 5 - 8 school will
create a school population of 1,000
students which is 200 students
over the recommended 400 - 800 size
for a secondary school. Option
1 also adds space to CG Elementary,
so we will have two schools over the
guidelines whether we approve
option 1 or option 3.
Monona Grove School
District is in a financial crisis.
As you very well know we have cut
$1.0M in spending over the past two
years. These were in one Board
Members words, "Cuts to the
bone." We fired teachers,
increased class size, cut programs,
reduced school building budgets and
cut teacher and administration development
budgets. The Board of
Education also increased our tax
burden by nearly 7.0% last year and
our mil rate remained in the top 10
or 20 School Districts in the State
of Wisconsin.
Can we really afford
to mothball two schools in
Monona that we have invested
millions of Dollars in recent
renovations and move forward
with a $40.0M building plan?
District wide standardized
test scores are slightly above State
of Wisconsin average the past few
years. This tells me that we
are spending our money on items that
increase students enjoyment and not
necessarily improve the education
that they receive.
Building a new 5 - 8
school on the edge of Cottage Grove
will likely lead to increased population
growth, similar to the record growth
recorded when Taylor Prairie was
built in 1995. This type
of growth may require additions
to Taylor Prairie or CG Elementary.
If we wait another 15 - 20 years to
develop the newly purchased property
in CG, the land around the school
will develop at a more natural pace.
The High School and other debt
service will be paid back and
Winnequah will be ready to serve
Monona students in whatever grade
configuration the district requires.
After 41 years
educating our children Winnequah
School deserves a major renovation.
If we build a $30.0M school in CG,
the Winnequah renovation will take a
back seat and will not be as
comprehensive as the building
requires.
Myth Busting: I
have first hand experience that will
bust several of the urban legends
that are being discussed regarding
the facilities debate. This
debate is about bussing.
My wife grew up in CG. When we
were looking to buy a house 14 years
ago she stated that she would not
live in CG, because she had
experienced first hand bussing to
Winnequah School. It is not an
enjoyable experience.
Is it necessary
to bring our students from CG and
Monona together in 6th grade.
I attended IHM and did not join the
Monona and CG students until High
School. Our IHM class of 30
kids had a wonderful time in High
School meeting and socializing with
all of our classmates. My IHM
classmates have gone on to be
successful Lawyers, Teachers, Chefs,
Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers
and Microbiologists just to name a
few. My wife and I have been
married for 17 years this month, so
I think we can safely say that
joining classes together in 9th
grade can work.
It is rather obvious
that our Superintendent wants to
build a new school in Cottage Grove.
I am willing to bet he would like to
move his office and the
administrative facilities to that
new school as well. Last year
Monona residents had to fight just
to get a Winnequah remodeling plan
back on the table for discussion.
Luckily we did, because it has
proven to be an option that will
reduce our debt service by 50% and
utilize all of the buildings in this
Unified School District.
Bussing children from
CG into Monona and from Monona to CG
will increase bussing costs by
$100,000 in the first year.
With fuel prices rising that cost
will climb year in and year out.
After 7 - 8 years we will have
spent $1.0M bussing kids six miles
in both directions. That
money could be better utilized to
rehire teachers and improve
education.
My engineering
background has proven to me that
data should be used to make decisions.
In this case the data proves that
new schools do not improve
education, that the MGSD is in a
financial crisis and should not mothball
two schools in favor of one new
building and that the Board of
Education must improve our
childrens education.
As a district we
should not be satisfied paying more
than 90% of the other residents in
the State and receiving slightly
above average results.
I would ask that the
Board communicate with the
taxpayers how much money the
District spends in Debt Service and
when those Debts are scheduled to be
repaid. I find it rather
misleading when we tell someone that
they can have all of these facility
improvement for $180 / $100,000
assessed value. The
district residents should be educated
on all of our Debt service spending
not just the part you are trying to
sell. This is like American TV
selling you a new HD-Plasma TV for
$35.00 per month.
Finally, the
political side of this debate.
You heard from a hundred or so
residents this past week. Many
of the residents that spoke have
children in preschool through 5th
grade. During the past
election four candidates were seeking
two seats on the School Board.
Both Chris and Pat ran because of
the facilities issue. The
voters selected the two candidates
that focused on more than the
facilities debate. This tells
me that a referendum that solves our
space needs and retains funds to
continue to improve our educational
programs (i.e., smaller class sizes,
more teachers, after school
educational programs) will be
approved by the voting public.
Remember you heard
this week from the vocal minority.
The voting majority will
approve a $15M Building Referendum,
I guarantee it!
Best regards,
Tom Groth
Laura Bowles to the School Board Sent: Fri 10/22/2004 7:31 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities question After listening to the discussion at the public forums, I am not pleased with any of the options provided. While I understand the need to do something now because this has been a topic for quite some time, I feel we are at a new crossroads in this discussion. We were asked us to consider three factors in making this decision: 1) What is educationally best for all students in the district; 2) What is fiscally responsible for all citizens and; 3) What is politically acceptable to citizens of both communities-parents, grandparents, singles, seniors, and young families. Common themes I heard: keep our kids together starting in at least 6th grade, keep our high quality programming, keep our high quality staffing, and buildings don’t teach, teachers do. Pleasantly, I heard very little about bussing. I have strong opposition to some options and serious reservations about other options, but they have all been voiced by one of the various speakers, so I won’t repeat. I would like to add a new option to the mix: 1) Build a new elementary school on the land in Cottage Grove and remodel Winnequah into an acceptable middle school, not first-class. I don’t think we can afford first-class at a time when we have fiscal issues and elementary space in CG seems to be the most pressing space need. To cite Gary's example, I chose to remodel my house instead of buy new. 2) Close Maywood or Nichols as soon as student populations warrant, possibly move the district offices into Maywood or other space and move Maywood kids into Nichols if that eliminates some building overhead (principles, janitors, etc.) and saves money. 3) Immediately fix the busing situation for Cottage Grove middle and high school students. This should have been done a long time ago. I know it’s cheaper to loop the buses, but let’s stagger start times a little more so the loop doesn't have to start at 6:45 am. Grades 6-12 need extra sleep anyway according to several studies so they could start later 8:30 or 9 after the elementary kids are all in their places. This could be done immediately, this school year or next. Looking back on my documents from the land purchase referendum meetings, 45.6 acres is large enough for an elementary school and middle school to share, if properly placed. In my view after listening on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, this is a win-win situation for both communities, for the taxpayers and especially for our students: 1) It provides Cottage Grove with the necessary relief at the elementary level, especially with four-year old kindergarten looming; 2) No additions to the already large enough TP and CG schools; 3) Winnequah after the remodeling should be a serviceable middle school for quite a few more years. 4) During this waiting time, Cottage Grove could build its business base in their new business park and lessen the impact on homeowners in both communities. 5) I feel this option is educationally the best for all children in the district; is fiscally responsible and should be politically acceptable to both communities (except those that have had predetermined agenda for 8-10 years which does not take into account the current fiscal and political realities of our district). Sincerely Laura Bowles Danl Dickens to the School Board From: Danl dickens [mailto:bookemdd@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wed 10/20/2004 5:20 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: Middle
As
much as I would like to see Winnequah
stay a middle school, the most important
issue is the kids. I have seen
friendships formed by my son this year
(he is 7th grade) with kids from Cottage
Grove that I do not think would be there
if the kids were not together at this
age. Keep the kids together -
whether it be in Monona or Cottage
Grove.
Danl Dickens Kim
Hubing to the School Board
To
the Board of Education,
I
am writitng to implore you to consider the
option of building a new middle school in
our district. I believe a new school
housing 5th through 8th grade students
will solve space issues in Cottage Grove
elementary schools and provide room for
future growth without overexpanding.
We could have our children attending a
state of the art facility with science
labs, music rooms, art departments and
computer labs. Our 5th graders will
have access to greater learning resources
and expanded curriculum.
In
answer to concerns from some parents about
possible negative interactions between
these grade levels. The middle
school could be built with distinctive
wings for 5/6 graders and 7/8 graders with
the use of common areas staggered.
We live in a community of very low crime
and very high parental involvement.
I believe the negative interactions would
be rare, far outweighed by the benefits
such a great facility would provide our
children.
I
have found another school in Wisconsin
which has recently switched to a 5-8
middle school. In talking to the
principal and parents of that school, I
heard nothing but positive feedback.
The principal told me that the idea, when
first proposed, scared alot of parents,
however, two years into the realignment,
his greatest advisaries to this concept
are now his biggest supporters. More
than one parent commented on how they saw
a new confidence in their 5th grader and a
greater level of achievement.
Their 5th graders were excited at
the idea of being part of the middle
school and thrilled to take courses they
would not be offered at the elementary
level.
In
answer to the option of having two middle
school facilities in our district. I
believe the cost to the district would be
greater as we would be replicating
resources and services. In focus
groups with high school students held by
Mary Possin and Gary Schumacher, the
students expressed concern in NOT merging
at the middle school level. They
developed valued relationships outside
their immediate community. I would
also like to point out the opportunity a
merged middle school offers for developing
great athletic programs which build
confidence and team spirit in our young
people as well as better competitors on
the high school level.
In
answer to the option of building a 5/6
intermediate school for Cottage Grove
students. At a cost quite close to
that of building a middle school, I
believe this option is a waste of the
taxpayers money. We would have a place to
solve space issues, however, even with
remodeling Winnequah, our middle school
would not be state of the art. The
halls of Winnequah are crowded. Can
renovation solve this problem? We
would just be getting by. This
option also means 5 different moves for
students of CG before they graduate.
I believe that is one too many times to
ask these kids to acclimate.
By
building a new middle school, we as a
district, can keep our youngest students
close to home and later merge them into a
beautiful state of the art facility where
they can learn and grow into future
leaders in our community. If we
think of whats best for these students and
build a facility they will be proud of,
they will give back to the
community. I think this is the right
investment to make.
Thank
you for your time,
Mark
and Jennifer Pickel to the
School Board
Dear
Board Members,
While
my husband and I were
unable to attend any of
the forums held over the
past few days, I felt it
was important to voice our
opinion via email.
We
believe very strongly that
a middle school should be
built in Cottage Grove. We
believe that this is the
most equitable solutions
for both Monona and
Cottage Grove. It seems to
us that remodeling or
building a new school for
just 5th and 6th grades
would merely postpone the
inevitable and incur a
cost which is above and
beyond what is required.
We realize that the option
we favor will increase our
property taxes and we are
willing to pay that price.
It is what is best for our
children - both children
in Cottage Grove and in
Monona. Please keep these
thoughts in mind during
your discussions.
Best
regards,
Mark
and Jennifer Pickel
Cottage
Grove, WI
Tim and Joann Stanton Sent: Sun 10/20/2002 8:48 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities issue Dear Monona Grove School Board members, After reviewing the presentation on your website, we stongly support the option of renovating and expanding existing facilities. We would not support an option that closes schools in Monona. We have a 4th grader and an infant. Our community schools are extremely important to us. They are vital to the way we want to live and raise our children. Thank you for the important work you do for our children. Sincerely, Tim and Joann Stanton Mary S. Landry to the School Board Sent: Thu 10/21/2004 6:53 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities
At
the recent public hearings, Mr
Schumacher told the story of
his brother in Minnesota
trying to decide to add on to
his smaller urban home or
to sell his smaller home and
use the equity and remodeling
dollars to build a larger home
in the surrounding suburbs.
I'd like to tell a similar
story to further illustrate
our facilities choices.
It's a story about my red
Jeep.
About a year ago, a very
reputable mechanic in my
neighborhood recommended I
consider buying a new car.
In for a routine inspection
and new brakes, he found a
list of mechanical problems
that needed to be addressed
that would cost nearly $2000.
Now my Jeep is a 1998 and
worth less than $10,000.
I had never liked the doors on
my Jeep because they're drafty
and I needed new tires before
the winter. Making the
mechanical repairs would not
address these problems, so I
set off excitedly in search of
a new Jeep. My enthusiam
was diminished by the prices,
roughly $20,000. I could
also buy a "state of the
art" Rubicon model that
would allow more off road fun
and increased towing capacity
for $25,000. My
trade in value was about $6000
or $9000 to sell privately.
Should I cut my losses and put
this money into a new car?
After many hours and days at
local dealers considering
my purchase, I told my
mechanic to make the repairs.
I'm sure many would not have
made the same choice. I
could afford the new
model, "the best"
with the help of a loan and
many urged me because
I "needed" a
new car. But when I
considered what I needed in a
car, a reliable way to get to
and from work and a safe car
for hauling my family, I
reconsidered. When my
mechanic told me that the
repairs would make my car once
again reliable and safe, I
reconsidered. When I
considered what I could afford
now, I reconsidered.
When I thought how loan
payments might limit my future
purchases, I reconsidered.
I reconsidered my self right
out of that new Jeep and back
into my '98. For how
long? Until the repairs
can no longer keep me in a
reliable, safe car (or until I
win the lottery).
A school is very different
from a car. But the
considerations are the same.
Will the remodeled Winnequah
allow the same quality of
education as a new middle
school? We have heard a
lot of testimonials about the
unexceptable conditions
currently at Winnequah.
Both Monona and Cottage Grove
parents agree. But we
have spent very little time critiquing the
"new Winnequah" plans.
The current problems listed
over and over in those
testimonials are fixed in
these plans. No, we wouldn't
have a pod classroom
configuration like I don't
have air-tight doors, but
quality is not lost. We wouldn't
have new hallways like I don't
have a new paint job, but the
kids are safe. Ask the
teachers, ask the staff.
Are we giving up quality by
remodeling Winnequah?
And to the questions
raised regarding Winnequah
being land locked with the
addition using up playground
space? The adjoining
Winnequah Park is over 20
acres of city maintained
athletic fields, tennis
courts, lagoon, skating rink,
restored prairie, pool and the
dream park. What a
bargain for the district, and
the community is happy that
it's used.
But we continue to have a
overcrowding problem in the
elementary schools in Cottage
Grove. I'm against
enlarging Taylor Prairie and
Cottage Grove to 500 student
capacities. I voted for
the land to address this
problem when the district
capacity is full. It
is not full. I know it
is not popular nor ideal to
bring Cottage Grove 5th
graders into Monona to utilize
our current district space,
but the quality of education
at Maywood and Nichols is
everybit as good as the
quality at Taylor Prairie and
Cottage Grove. If busing
Monona 5th graders out to the
new middle school is
acceptable to Cottage Grove
parents then busing per se is
not the issue. If the
educational quality is the
same, then there's not an
educational reason not to do
this.
But we need to reassure the
Cottage Grove parents and
community that when this
district space is full, we
will build a new
elementary school on the land
in Cottage Grove. The
developers are ready and
waiting to make it a
neighborhood school. The
construction costs for an
elementary school are
less than for a middle school.
Urged by motivated Cottage
Grove parents, the village,
town and developers may offer
to put in needed
roads, water and sewer if we
assure them of the school
plans, maybe even a library if
we give them 5 acres.
Yes, give. The
population projections can be
used to anticipate when the
district capacity is full and
the school construction
needs to be completed by that
time. If busing or
quality is the issue, then
elementary additions may be
the politically saleable
preference.
Would I love a new car, a
new school, a new home?
Yes, but when I consider what I
need and not what I want, I
reconsider. When I
consider that quality
education is the teachers,
aides, staff and curriculum,
not the bricks and mortar, I
reconsider. When
I ask the principal
and teachers at Winnequah
if the remodeling will allow
them to provide the quality
education parents are asking
for and the they say
"yes", I reconsider.
When I consider our 41
year old Winnequah is a much
newer building than East and
West high schools, high
quality schools by all
educational standards, I
reconsider. When I think
about closing Monona schools
to fill and run a new
school, I reconsider. Define
quality. Support
quality. Fund quality.
Mary S. Landry
Susan Welsch to the School Board Sent: Wed 10/20/2004 9:27 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities issue I attended the Tuesday night public forum on the referendum options and was very pleased with the open dialog that occurred at the meeting. After viewing the Power Point presentation and listening to the public comments, I’m wondering why Option #1 (Build a new middle school), version #2 ( 5-8 for CG students and 6-8 for Monona students) could not be changed to 5-8 for CG students and 7-8 for Monona students. It appears that Winnequah would still be below capacity if the Monona 6th graders attended. One of Gary’s three points the board wanted citizens to consider was political salability. It seems that this variation of Option #1, version #2 would include the least busing of students from one community to the other and would be the best solution from this standpoint. In addition, I heard many people express a desire to keep the 7th & 8th grade students together at one school to provide the optimal education and social experience and to control costs of Encore programs. Option #1, version #2 also meets these goals. I don’t view Option #1, version #1 (5-8 in Cottage Grove with Monona & CG students attending) as being something most Monona residents will want to support. I also don’t view Option #3 (Renovating Winnequah and expanding CG and TP to over 400 students each) as being something most Cottage Grove residents will support. With that said, it only makes sense to bring a compromise option (such as Option #1, version #2) to referendum, as going through the trouble of crafting a referendum only to see it fail because the majority of district residents will not support it is just a waste of time, mental energy, and money. Both Taylor Prairie and Winnequah are busting at the seams and our children cannot afford any further delay in resolving this matter. Susan
Welsch Mark Buffat and Mark A. Nelson, Concerned Citizens from Monona and Cottage Grove, to the School Board Sent: Thu 10/21/2004 8:43 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: Community-based facilities October 20, 2004 Dear School Board Members, The desire for a long-term facilities solution resonates strongly in both Monona and Cottage Grove. Two main themes have surfaced as we have watched this debate unfold and intensify. 1) The division among the citizens of Cottage Grove and Monona has increased and 2) parents in both communities have a strong desire for community-based schools so that their children do not have to be bussed for long distances and periods of time. In an effort to build bridges and facilitate dialogue, we decided to form a committee of Monona and Cottage Grove community members to find a solution acceptable to both communities which ultimately will best serve the children of our shared school district. Instead of seeking a precise solution, we first decided to seek a common vision for our schools. The vision that we mutually support is K-8 education in each community. We are asking the board to look to our district’s history, to a time when the kids of our school district received their education through the 8th grade in their respective communities. Please narrow your scope to options and variations that accomplish the need and desire for community-based education and facilities. We believe there are many creative ways to achieve this in a way that is fair and equitable to both communities. Please consider the attached ideas and options in your deliberations. Sincerely, Mark S. Buffat
Mark A. Nelson Concerned Citizens from Monona
and Cottage Grove. 1) Build a 5-8 Middle School for CG only
OR
2) Incrementally Obtain the Vision for Two Middle Schools
Support for the two 5-8 school vision.
4) No overly large middle schools. 5) The solution is long term, not just a short term fix. Rebuttals to possible reasons for opposition to two middle school vision. 1) Students need to get together to form relationships. Schools all over the country do not get together before high school. Research would more strongly support avoiding the large middle school where students become anonymous. Our district’s middle school population is only going to get bigger in the near future. In addition, we can offer programs, and already do where students from both communities can get to know one another. 2) Staffing will be replicated. The schools in both communities will be large enough to avoid large amounts of shared staff or replication of services that are already provided. However, in cases where there must be shared staff, we feel it is better for a few staff to drive between schools than bus 300-500 students. 3) Sports programs will not be as strong. We hope building a sports dynasty is not the primary goal of the Monona Grove Public Schools. However, we argue that more students will be able to participate with two middle schools and thus more students will have the opportunity to excel. If there are added costs to these additional programs, as parents, we would not be averse to reasonable user fees. In addition, in sports, such as football, where there may be insufficient members to field a team, we could have a Monona/Cottage Grove team. 4) There will be added costs to the music program and we will not be able to support a band. There is precedent in middle schools surrounding our area that smaller middle schools can support quality bands in both small and large middle schools. Startup costs for instruments and such is certainly not insurmountable and could probably, if necessary, be obtained through private donations. 5) There are additional costs to operating more schools. We
agree to some degree this will be
true. However, there are ways of
limiting operating costs without
hurting educational programming.
Plus, we are willing to pay a
little more in order to support
community schools and avoid a very
large middle school. To some degree this will be true. However, middle schools do not offer the wide variety of curriculum or courses that are offered in high schools. In addition, research supports differentiation within classrooms which would require less variety in core curricular courses. Thanks for your consideration, Concerned Citizens from Monona and Cottage Grove Anne Schoenemann to the School Board Sent: Tue 10/19/2004 9:23 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: Facilaties Options
Hello,
I
attended the Tuesday evening
presentation. Thank you for
providing our community the time to
discuss our options and opinions. I
wanted to respond to two topics that
came up.
One,
there is no scientific research that
says students have to be in school
together in sixth grade. I want to
make it very clear that all the
comments about starting friendships
in middle school and needing new
friends in middle school are
nice but not clinically proven as
supporting student achievement. My
second son did not make friends
really until high school. What
the research does say is that when staff
and students have a smaller and academically
focused environment, they perform
better. Students perform better when
teachers are highly qualified,
providing standards based curriculum
and best practices in
instruction in a hands-on, minds-on
program that is connected K-12. It
is a place where goals and
assessments come before creating
activities. The space or lack of it
as well as the people inside the
building can influence the quality
of education.
Second,
I do think we need to consider
programs but at what cost? As the
budget is tighten the first to go
will be encore classes. Winnequah
has a very high portion of encore
classes compared to other
neighboring middle schools. I think
more time could be spent in the
four core areas. We may need to hire
more music staff because of the
traveling but that is doable whereas
as having too many students crammed
in one school is not. Sometimes it
is easy to forecast a gloomy outlook
when really it is change that is
hard to accept. Two smaller middle
schools would be better for
everyone.
I
truly feel we need to think as far
into the future as we can in
providing buildings to meet the
needs for all students. We need to
keep in mind that it is our
responsibility to provide a safe,
calm and comfortable place for
children to learn and to make it
easily accessible to all.
Anne
Schoenemann
Kevin
Mikelbank, Richard Sonn, Deb Whalen,
Daniel Zweifel to the School Board · Will a two station gym be sufficient to implement our standards based curriculum in a safe learning environment with current class size guidelines of 30 students? · Will 2 learning areas be safe for 3, or as we have had, 4 classes of PE? · Will this environment be adequate for delivering effective instruction? · Given our current scheduling model and future enrollment increases, will this type of overcrowding be prudent and reasonable for students to safely and actively engage participate in instructional learning activities? On another note, the Middle School Badger Conference Athletic Board currently has a no cut policy and requires 2 teams, an a and b, for volleyball and basketball at both the 7th and 8th grade levels. Currently, the 8th grade girl’s volleyball, boys basketball and girls basketball teams are regularly conducting practices at Nichols for two main reasons. The first is that there are generally between 50 and 85 athletes per sport. As class sizes grow, participation in athletics may be expected to grow as well. The second reason is that Winnequah affords very limited space in the current practice facility. The 8th grade basketball teams are also playing their games at Nichols. The volleyball games, played at Winnequah, do not afford the athletes the WIAA recommended space outside of the court playing area due to bleachers and chairs for spectators. Traveling to Nichols is putting our adolescent athletes at risk and costs our teams valuable practice time. It also results in all athletes getting home later on practice days. In regard to athletics, we ask that you consider the following questions as you make the decision before you. · Will the plan for a two station gym, which currently shows no storage space, be large enough to have four full size regulation courts with safe space surrounding them so that each of our four teams can practice? · Will each station be set in away that there is a main court on which the athletes can participate in their contests, have an extended set of bleachers to accommodate home and visiting spectators and still have appropriate space around the perimeter of the court for the athletes to be safe? If you would like more details in regard to any of the information or questions above, we would be happy to answer your questions. Thank you, Kevin Mikelbank Mary S. Landry to the School Board Sent: Mon 10/18/2004 11:17 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities
I am a former grad of the MG
school district and like others, moved
back to the district for many reasons
not the least of which was to provide
my children with a quality education
that will prepare them for any
chosen life endeavor. I chose
Monona for the small community package
that it offered complete with
neighborhood schools, public library,
pool, community center, centralized
park and green space.
I was ignorant of the district
space issues until the land referendum
surfaced. I quickly
educated myself and learned of the incredible
growth in Cottage Grove. I
agreed with the Board's suggestion
that if the district's capacity need
to be increased, a new school should
be built in Cottage Grove. I
voted for the land.
A year ago, plans were formulating to
build a school on the land and I
assumed the district capacity was full
and we needed more space. I,
again ignorant, studied the published
projected enrollment numbers and was
enlightened regarding the increasing
numbers at Taylor Prairie causing
overcrowding, the not yet full
capacity at Cottage Grove and the
overcrowded but projected stable population
at Winnequah. The school
plans, however, were to construct a
new middle school.
I knew there had been plans
discussed before the land purchase to
rebuild Winnequah or to remodel the
existing structure. Having
remodeled my home recently, I knew
that new construction is less
expensive per square foot than
additions. I assumed the
construction of a new school would be
cheaper than remodeling and this
was driving the middle school move.
I waited for the estimates.
The cost projections for a new school were
twice as much as the remodeling of
Winnequah. The reason given
was the school would contain 5th
through 8th grades, a larger capacity
to absorb the overcrowding at the Taylor
Prairie and Cottage Grove. A
small addition would still be needed
at Taylor Prairie.
I thought a new middle school
will be less expensive to run
than an old school and with the same
number of schools in the district ( 4
elementaries and one middle school)
the annual budget to run the district
will be the same or less.
I was surprised to learn that the cost
to run the district would be over
$250,000 more per year and this
increase is possible only if we close Monona's
2 elementary schools. Keeping
Maywood or Nichols open would only add
further to the district's annual
operating costs, restricted by the
state caps.
I agree that when the district's
capacity is full, any additional
capacity in the form of a new district
school should be built in the
ever-growing communities of Cottage
Grove. But I cannot support
building a new school in Cottage Grove
and closing 1 or 2 schools in Monona
to offset the increased district
operating cost of this new school.
This financial consideration, however,
is secondary to the education of our
kids. Education comes
first. The buildings are not
what teaches our children, but what's
in those buildings. The teachers,
staff and materials are what define
the quality of the education our
children receive.
I have heard from a lot of parents
that they are supporting a new middle
school because they want what's best
for their kids education. I
challenge each of us to consider that
a new school doesn't buy us better
education and that a remodeled school
doesn't prevent it.
I have looked at the building plans
for remodeling Winnequah and for a new
middle school. I have been in
Winnequah and clearly the expansion of
the IMC, computer labs, gymnasiums,
cafeteria, classroom space and special
education areas provided for in the
plans is needed and overdo. The
remodeled Winnequah is more than
sufficient to provide for a high
quality education for our district and
the additional $15-20 million to build
a new 5-8 middle school will not buy
an additional $15-20 million
improvement in quality.
Remodeling Winnequah is not a
"band-aid" solution and this
is not a busing issue. I support
the solution that maintains the Monona
Grove School District's long history
of high quality education in the most
fiscally responsible way, maintaining
all available resources to serve our
district as a whole. I urge the
board to do the same.
Respectfully,
Mary S. Landry
Kimberly Miller to the School Board Sent: Mon 10/18/2004 To: MGSD Board Subject: facilities issue Dear Monona Grove School Board Members, First I would like to say “Thank You” for addressing the facilities issues and recognizing that the Cottage Grove Community is growing. Secondly, I ask that you put forth a recommendation which focuses on setting the students up for success. While everyone knows that taxes are increasing, we should also know that you pay now or you pay later. That is the reality. If we look at short term fixes, it will in the long run it will cost us more. The impacts will be significant on the students and also the staff and both communities. It seems as though we keep rehashing every couple of years what is needed and during this time it seems to become old wounds and very emotional for many. I truly hope that we can come to “the best case” option, approve it, and get on with having both communities work together and our teachers and school board focused on ensuring our students education. While I understand people saying “you chose to live in Cottage Grove so deal with it” I also know that most communities CHANGE with growth. I also understand that both communities need each other to support a school district with the types of programs that are offered. So is it really unrealistic to think that the change in our student population wouldn’t impact the look of our school district? Don’t we want our teachers focused on what they are going to teach vs. wondering year by year if they will have a room to teach in? While the mileage between Monona and Cottage Grove isn’t that far when you add up the number of pick ups it does add to the Cottage Grove students overall day simply because there are more to pick up. Is it really unfair to have a middle school in Cottage Grove? Don’t we want a plan that provides the best vision and facilities that does enable us to meeting the phrase “Building a Community of Learners”? I believe that it will mean both communities respecting the past but not to the extent of limiting future. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kimberly Miller Richard Klinke to the School Board Sent: Mon 10/18/2004 10:34 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: Middle School Issue To Whom It May Concern: As a citizen of the Monona Grove School District and after gathering information from School Board Meetings, newspapers, flyers and e-mails, I cannot support a re-model of Winnequah Middle School. I would prefer to have a new building to meet the growing student population and ever expanding technology needs of our students. That being said however, I do feel it is important to keep the Monona and Cottage Grove Children together at the Middle School level. As a past graduate of the Monona Grove School System, it was a necessary period of relationship building between the students before the awkward years of High School came. I realize that I am not providing any answers, but these are my feelings on the subject. Richard Klinke Cottage Grove Shawn Steenhagen and Rhonda Holler-Steenhagen to the School Board Sent: Sun 10/17/2004 9:08 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: school options School Board members; As parents of a future Monona Grove school district student we are interested in how the educational needs of the students will be met. We reviewed the three options and would like to state our thoughts knowing that due to previous commitments we are unable to attend one of the three public hearings. We can certainly appreciate the concerns those without children may have when we begin discussing increasing taxes. Though, we would like to remind all that at some point in one's life we are all called upon to think of the larger good and take action to support the larger good. My husband and I have paid taxes for a number of years with no complaints even though we had no children. Our hope was that decisions were being made in the best interests of the children. We now find ourselves increasing our interest since our child will be attending soon and we are concerned about past decisions and their impact on the children. To discover that the current middle school is not sufficient to address the learning needs of students today is discouraging. To discover that the Early Childhood program has moved out of Taylor Prairie to Cottage Grove elementary with children nearly double their age is discouraging. To discover that the learning needs of our special education students are using "space" and not adequate classrooms is discouraging and unacceptable. To discover that nearly two-thirds of the students in middle school are spending nearly two hours of their day on a bus or waiting for school to begin is discouraging. We wonder about the decisions of the past and question the commitment to both the educational needs of the students and the financial needs of the community. From our limited perspective these past decisions have been short-sighted both financially and educationally. For example, Taylor Prairie school is not even ten years old and already over capacity. We acknowledge that hind-sight offers more clarity. However with that acknowledgement, we request that future decisions are made with stronger commitment to the students of today and tomorrow where ever they may live. A fantastic learning experience is the goal. Towards that goal we are willing to pay for the best option: an option that eliminates having inadequate learning space for our middle school students; an option that eliminates having special education programs being housed with other children that are not close in peer relationship; an option that eliminates unusually long periods of time on the bus for the majority of the students; an option that addresses the direction the community is headed. From our vantage point, the best option is building a new middle school in Cottage Grove. Thank you for taking the time to present the options to the community and for giving the community an opportunity to voice their intentions. Shawn Steenhagen and Rhonda Holler-Steenhagen Lisa jo VonAllmen to the School Board Sent: Sun 10/17/2004 4:02 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: facility options
There
are many things I need to say about this
issue.
First
of all, my husband & I both attended
schools in Monona. He attended Maywood,
Winnequah and MG. I attended Winnequah
and MG. After our high school
graduations we both moved away from Monona for
over 20 years. Ultimately we met again,
married and lived in Madison for 8 years.
We began a family then decided to move back to
Monona. The primary reason we moved
back to Monona was for the whole community.
We live near Winnequah Park, the library,
Winnequah school is just down the street and
the elementary schools are within walking
distance. We knew how wonderful it was
growing up here and want what we had for our
growing family.
I
hear lots of statistical information about the
aging community of Monona. We are
an example of a young family who have
moved to Monona to raise children.
We know that it is just a matter of time until
the cycle changes and more young, growing
families move into Monona. Why are
your numbers such short term? What
will happen to the school enrollment when the
older generation moves or passes on?
We are
appalled at the suggestion that the elementary
schools may be closing. I understand
that Cottage Grove is booming. Fine, I
support them in getting another school.
I feel they should separate themselves
and establish their own school district.
I do not support them building a new school
and closing schools in my community.
I'm
sick and tired of the Cottage Grove people
I've heard from saying 'it's Monona's turn to
bus our children'. We moved to Monona
knowing our children would not be bussed.
We moved here knowing the class sizes would be
small. I knew that Monona was not a
sprawling community and that is why I value
living here. I know that Cottage Grove
is growing and I want no part of their
suburban sprawl. I don't want to live in
the type of neighborhoods that are being built
there and I don't want my children bussed
into that type of community.
Another
point to make is the significant cost
difference I've seen in the information you
provided. Clearly, Option 3 is the least
expensive way to go. If the school
district is going to remain the way it is,
with all the tax burden we already have, I
think the responsible thing to do is to go
forward with the most cost effective solution.
The numbers I see are at least 1/2 the cost
for Option 3 and the operating cost savings
are far more than that. How are you
proposing to pay for Options 1 & 2 on an
ongoing basis?
My
husband & I have discussed it, and if the
schools in Monona close, we will move from
this community and find one that values it's
history and the importance of schools within
an established community.
Sincerely,
Lisa jo VonAllmen
Jack W. Henrich to the School Board Sent: Sat 10/16/2004 9:53 PM To: wsjopine@madison.com Cc: MGSD Board Subject: editorial- monona-grove scool district facilities issue
I went to the first of three public forums on
the issue of Monona Grove School District
facility needs and proposed expansion today.
As I expected, this is going to be an
emotionally charged issue, and a political
"hot potato" leading up to the
February referendum. First and foremost,
as this process goes forward, please keep in
mind that this is about our kids' educational
future, not about "us" versus
"them" (Cottage Grove versus Monona).
This is OUR school district.
Many people spoke in support of "doing this
right the first time", and avoiding a
"band-aid" solution for the short
term. They are exactly right. The
best long-term and fiscally responsible solution
is building a new middle school in Cottage Grove
(resulting in a separate middle school for
grades 5-8 for each community). This
is "concept one-option 3" as outlined
by the board. Emotions aside, the facts
are the facts- Cottage Grove is growing.
Monona is not. The number of school age
children in Cottage Grove has increased
each year, while the same age group in Monona
has decreased. If I were a Monona
resident, I might ask- "how does this
option benefit me or my kids?" Fair question.
The middle and elementary schools in Monona
would also be less crowded, resulting in a
better educational environment. Both
communities would benefit.
The school board is to be commended for going to
great lengths to solicit public input. I ask the
board to put political expediency
aside, and not put a "band-aid" on the
ballot because it has the best chance of
passage. Put "concept one-option
3" on the ballot in February. The
best solution may not be the cheapest or the
most palatable, but it is still the best
solution.
Jack W. Henrich
201 Vintage Lane
Cottage Grove, WI
608.839.1317
Deborah Trzinski-Becker to the School Board Sent: Thu 10/14/2004 To: MGSD Board Subject: School options Dear Monona Grove School Board Members, I am writing to express my support for building a new middle school, grades 5-8, in Cottage Grove for all students in the district to attend. I feel that this is the option that provides the balance needed between the communities of Cottage Grove and Monona regarding school facilities and also provides the best educational opportunities for students. Eight months ago my family moved to the Quarry Ridge neighborhood in Cottage Grove. I followed the school facilities issue in the papers as we were making a decision to move. From that information it seemed that a middle school in Cottage Grove was inevitable. I believe that viewing this issue as somewhat of an outsider made the middle school option in Cottage Grove a clear choice. The current and future growth in Cottage Grove must be addressed in creating a more balanced school district. I think it is important to ensure that students, parents, and community members enjoy the benefits of schools in their community. Monona benefits from the close proximity of the high school and it is time for the Cottage Grove community to benefit by having a middle school in their community. The fact that this district is geographically divided makes the location of school facilities a very important consideration. I have spoken with many people in my neighborhood about this issue and have found that families, with and without children, overwhelmingly support the option of a middle school in Cottage Grove. Thank you for your time. Deborah Trzinski-Becker Return to top of Letters Jeff Rubbelke to the School Board Sent: Mon 10/11/2004 11:05 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: FUTURE PLANS DEAR MONONA GROVE SCHOOL BOARD: GOOD DAY. IN REGARDS TO THE HEATED ISSUE AT HAND FOR ALL OF US; NO, I DO NOT WANT TO BUS MY CHILDREN TO COTTAGE GROVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT COTTAGE GROVE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR SOME TIME, AND SOME OF THE RESIDENTS ARE UPSET AND FEEL SOMEWHAT SLIGHTED AT HEARING MY OPINION. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RESOLUTION THAT BENEFITS BOTH COMMUNITIES BY KEEPING NEIBORHOOD SCHOOLS IN TACT. THIS OF COURSE IS PARAMOUNT FOR EVERY FAMILY, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE. WHO DOES NOT CONSIDER WHERE SCHOOLS ARE WHEN THEY PURCHASE A HOME? THIS CONSIDERATION LEADS TO A FAMILY’S CHOICE OF WHERE TO RAISE A FAMILY. THE KEY WORD TO THIS WHOLE DISCUSSION IS CHOICE. WE DID NOT CHOOSE TO LIVE IN COTTAGE GROVE BECAUSE MY KIDS WOULD BE WALKING TO SCHOOL FOR THE BRUNT OF THEIR ENTIRE CHILDHOOD. WE DID NOT CHOOSE TO PURCHASE A HOUSE IN COTTAGE GROVE PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF WINNEQUAH MIDDLE SCHOOL. I
HOPE YOUR DECISIONS ARE WISE AND ECONOMICAL. JEFF
RUBBELKE Gary Ferron to the School Board From:
Gary Ferron [mailto:ferrogj@dhfs.state.wi.us]
I
was disappointed to hear this also. I am sorry that
you were told the school board was aware of the
problem and did not do anything about it because I was
not aware of the problem until very
recently. Certainly we have no motive to alienate
any of our district residents. It is my
understanding that the problem has been rectified.
Thank you for
your input on the facility issue.
Mary Possin,
President
Allen Ruid to the School Board Sent: Thu 10/7/2004 To: MGSD Board Subject: Facilities Options The School District Facilities Options were drafted prior to the current increase in energy prices. The last 60 years of flight from the city center and endless development was fueled by the availability of cheap energy. That era is over. The implications for family budgets as well as school district budgets will be profound. Growth projections and the threshold at which further development becomes undesirable need to be reconsidered. The only fiscally responsible solution is expansion of current facilities in both Cottage Grove and Monona. That option preserves neighborhood schools for both Monona and Cottage Grove residents as well as preserving capital and options for future incremental changes. Allen Ruid Mike
and Debbie Kreigh to the School Board:
I
invite all residents to check back to the webpage later this
week. We recently held a focus group to review the power
point presentation we have developed for the website and our
hearings. From the excellent feedback and suggestions we
received, we have made many enhancements including a
delineation of what will be accomplished thorough renovation
and expansion vs. new construction.
It was
the unanimous opinion of the board that all of the hearings
should be held in a common location so that all citizens hear
each other. When we held hearings in each community during
previous referenda, we noticed that folks from each community
were not hearing each other. Since the high school
building is common to all residents of the district and it has
spaces that were designed for and are better suited to this
type of meeting than any other building in the district, it
made sense to choose this building.
It is
also worth noting that the school board is seeking the input
of all district residents on this issue, not just the parents. The
majority of district residents do not have children in our
schools and any successful referendum will need their support.
Sent: Mon 10/4/2004 2:04 PM To: MGSD Board Subject: Facilities Issue Dear School Board Members, I am looking to the school board, at this time
of developing a referendum on I am absolutely opposed to the building of a 5-6
school in Cottage Grove. I will be bussing my children to Middle and High
School regardless of where I am fully amenable to the idea of 2 middle
schools. Can we afford to have I can understand why Monona feels threatened.
They could be losing a The school board says it would be much too
expensive to split this district. We have the land. We can build a Middle
School that has all the amenities The school board should think very carefully
about what they decide the Again, the school board needs to be the leaders we elected them to be. Very Truly Yours, Laura Weber Return to top of LettersJim Walden to the School Board: Sent: Mon 10/4/2004 10:24 AM To: MGSD Board Subject: Facilities Options I support building a new middle school, but keeping Winnequah open for Monona students, to keep the size of the middle schools to a reasonable level and minimize the amount of bussing. Jim Walden Return to top of Letters
I realize that this is a tough
issue to struggle with and one of the unique problems that the board
faces is instead of trying to keep only one community happy, you
have two communities to try to please. I did attend the
meeting at Taylor Prairie and did hear many interesting comments
however the option my wife and I fully support is to build a
new middle school in Cottage Grove. Most of our neighbors that
we have discussed the issue with also support a new middle school,
especially since the district already owns the 40 acres off of BB.
I think that the district was forward thinking in purchasing this
land years ago in preparation for the inevitable, which is building
a new school. I do not see how as a board or as a community,
we can afford the band aid approach ( the adding on of existing
schools) when we all know that we will be right back in this
position in a few years.
I understand that many Monona
residents are completely against bussing their children to Cottage
Grove, but I am unclear why nor do I feel that is any type of excuse
at all. Have they forgotten that Cottage Grove kids are bussed
to Monona for 7 years? I would think they would feel more
importantly of the quality of education vs. not wanting to bus their
children. I also understand that the crowding conditions at
Winnequah are absolutely atrocious. One person at the meeting
mentioned that his daughter could not eat lunch one day because the
lunch lines were too long. Is this how we want our children
treated?
I would encourage the board to
be forward thinking, to be future planners for this school district
and to vote to build a new middle school.
Thank you, Cory and Janet Nelson.
Lisa Rogers to the School Board:
Christine Toal to the School Board: Why couldn't we add onto Winnequah for 6,7&8 - Make Nichols a k-4 - turn Maywood into a disrict wide 5th grade school, and make Taylor Prarie and Cottage Grove K-4 each. The district office could be housed at Maywood. This would save all taxpayers a lot of money and use existing buildings and space. Christine Toal |
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03-04 facilites correspondence archive |