Mar 29 2017

Bond Fund Projects for High School: Town Hall Meetings Start Saturday

How will $66 Million in School Bond money be spent? 

Announcement:

Piedmont School District will Hold Three Community Town Hall Meetings to Discuss Options for New High School Facilities –

“On November 8, 2016, the Piedmont community approved Measure H1, authorizing $66 million in school construction bonds to modernize school facilities to better support educational programs. “This measure was approved by 74% of the Piedmont voters, and the District is grateful for this remarkably strong community support for education,” said Piedmont Unified School District’s Superintendent Randall Booker. “The next step is to develop concept designs for new facilities, and the District is looking forward to working with the community in this process,” said Booker.”

“Piedmont High School is a priority because PHS buildings are the oldest in the District with the most severe physical needs, PHS serves all Piedmont students in their highest level of K-12 education, and supporting high school STEAM education is a paramount educational goal in the District. Additional classrooms at each elementary school for kindergarten education is also a priority.”

The District is holding three community town hall meetings to discuss concept designs for new high school facilities:

  •  Saturday, April 1, 9:00 – 11:00 am, PHS Student Center, 800 Magnolia Avenue

  •  Thursday, April 6, 12:30 – 2:00 pm, Ellen Driscoll Theater, 325 Highland Avenue

  •  Tuesday, April 18, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, PHS Student Center, 800 Magnolia Avenue

    “All are welcome and encouraged to participate, regardless of whether you have students in the Piedmont schools. We look forward to hearing from you,” said Superintendent Booker.

    An RSVP to Sylvia Eggert will be appreciated at https://goo.gl/forms/avbFcJGZPpu7TFiw2 so District staff will know how many people plan to attend. [This is a request rather than a requirement for attendance.  All are welcome at any of the meetings with or without an RSVP .]

    “The purpose of these town hall meetings is to provide information (about the constraints and concept designs that fit within these constraints), promote civic engagement, answer questions, and invite input. We will not be voting or making decisions at these meetings.”

During the town hall meetings the School District will ask the community to consider questions such as:

  •  What do you like/dislike about each concept design?
  •  Which of these concept designs best meet our educational goals and priorities?
  •  Do you have another concept design that fits within the constraints of the budget, site topography, etc.?
    A short video that provides an overview of three concept designs for new high school STEAM facilities can be viewed here > https://youtu.be/lOhWHostJYc  
  • More detailed information about each of the three concept designs can be viewed here >https://goo.gl/WkfFfe  
  • Additional town hall meetings will be held next year to discuss elementary school classrooms;
  • The three upcoming town hall meetings will focus specifically on concept designs for the high school.Those who can’t attend one of the three town hall meetings can go to the Measure H1 website — > www.measureh1.org — to learn about and provide comment on the concept designs.
  • Community feedback on the concept designs will also be accepted at the Piedmont School Maker Faire on April 23, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Piedmont High School.
  • “The District’s paramount goal is to provide an extraordinary education that prepares students for higher education and careers, and STEAM education is at the forefront of these efforts.  STEAM courses emphasize critical reasoning, computational thinking, and skills to articulate and defend ideas. These skills are essential for nearly every career in today’s economy and, regardless of future education and careers, these skills are essential for life in the digital age. “With voter approval of Measure H1, the District looks forward to modernizing labs and other infrastructure to support robust STEAM education, now and in the future,” said Superintendent Booker.”

    $66 M Bond funds may be used to:

  •  Construct new high school facilities to support instruction of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (“STEAM”).
  •  Renovate or replace school facilities to support student learning and upgrade antiquated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems.
  •  Add elementary classrooms for extended-day kindergarten.
  •  Implement energy-efficiency measures to reduce operating expenses and mitigate environmental impacts.
  •  Enhance campus security across all campuses.

Comments may be sent to the School Board by going to >  http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/board-of-education/members/

 

Leave a Comment