The Future of Empty School Buildings
The decision by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and DC Schools Chancellor Michelle A Rhee to close 23 schools still stirs pain in some parents' hearts. But in some quarters another emotion is taking root, fear -- over the fate of soon-to-be empty school buildings.
In a city that has boosted economic development as a means of tackling urban blight, and is still divided over the role of charter schools, the fear over empty school buildings boils down to at least one of the following:
a) The buildings would indeed sit idle, thereby becoming potential neighborhood eyesores.
b) The buildings would go to charter schools, which doesn't sit well with those who see charters and their growing student enrollments as competition to the D.C. Public Schools.
c) The buildings would be sold to the highest bidder.
d) All of the above.
The answer, of course, is d) all of the above. The issue is likely to flare up with some intensity in the coming weeks. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education, led by Victor Reinoso, issued a 10-page application on March 17, formally known in government circles as a request for qualifications (RFQ), for anyone interested in leasing a school building. The application is due on April 4.
Now according to DC law-- and for those of you who like to get technical with it, it's Section 2209(b)(1) -- the city must give charter schools a "preference" to certain facilities or properties. With some charter schools spending upwards of $50,000 and more a month on rent, it's no wonder that word of this application is spreading fast in charter circles. However, the mayor's proposed 2009 budget, which he released last week, also mentions making empty school buildings available for government offices.
The administration is getting feedback from residents. It held three public meetings last Thursday night on the future of empty school buildings in Wards 4, 5 and 8, and has two more sessions scheduled for tonight for Wards 1 and 7, from 6 to 8 pm.
By Theola Labbé-DeBose |
March 24, 2008; 12:00 PM ET
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Education
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Theola Labbé-DeBose
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Posted by: HillMan | March 25, 2008 8:57 AM
What has come of this city? As the shopping Queen of America, I am very disappointed that we have people who value the retail business over education. Hine Jr. High School is ideally suited for education given its proximity to the Library of Congress, public transportation, federal buildings and museums.
The city would be best served by modernizing the current building to include GED and Adult Literacy Programs, the Special Education Parent Service Center (per the Blackmon/Jones Consent Agreement), the Parent Academy (as promised by the Mayor) and the UDC satellite campus for our citizens. The benefits to these citizens would out weigh any rents or sale of proceeds of that parcel.
Educated and trained citizens are far more useful to the city than some symbolic use of buildings for retail. In fact, educated and trained citizens will provide economic stimulus and decrease the need for government support.
Educated and trained citizens are PRICELESS!
Posted by: msjudgejackie | March 26, 2008 4:56 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
There are several schools that should be given over to development.
For instance, Hine Jr High. That parcel of land is arguably one of the most expensive in the city. It's ideally suited to development, with it's access to Metro right across the street, and it's proximity to Eastern Market literally next door.
The city would be best served by tearing down the hideous current building and allowing the site to be redeveloped, with a massive underground (and well lit and safely monitored) parking garage, ground floor retail, and offices and residences on floors above.
The rents or sale proceeds of that parcel, plus the tax income from the development going forward for decades, would provide hundreds of millions of dollars for city use, including, if needed, reinvestment in the school system.
That money is far more useful to the city than some symbolic use of the building as an under-utilized charter school or for DC government offices, both of which could be done FAR cheaper on a less expensive piece of land.