We Need a Public Hearing ...
Editor's Note: I invite all members of our community to share their concerns about the recent decision of City of Richmond Public School Board (RPS) to spend $224 million on a five-year plan to renovate two schools and build five others. ~ Carol A.O. Wolf
By Kirsten Gray
I attended a number of the Option 5 facilities plan forums, however, it wasn't possible for public input because we were never told the names of schools to be rebuilt or consolidated or closed and when school names were mentioned, they changed from meeting to meeting.
So I'd say yes 18 public forums were held but we were never given specifics to have meaningful input. Looking at plan A and B the first five years seems to be for the most part in line with option 5, only in the new plans specific schools are named. The only difference is in plan A, George Mason will be designed to hold 650 students instead of plan B (most like option 5) which would have Mason hold 1000 students. Let's be clear, no where in Henrico do they have elementary school populations over 800 (actually, I believe the largest are under 800).
I question the wisdom of a school so large in an urban area. I agree with you Scott Barlow, a period of public input should have been held on the two plans. But at the same time, I do see that the plan voted on is not different than Option 5 that was approved already. And I remember Kranz saying at the public forums, that each step of the way through option 5, plans would be adjusted, evolve.
Plan A and B, the first phase of 5 years seem very close to option 5 with a couple of adjustments, like trimming school design of George Mason from holding 1000 students to 650. And again, a public input on this adjustment should have been held but my guess/gut says, the public would lean towards 650 over 1000 little kids in an urban school. Scott Barlow, Thank you for calling for public input and if possible, could you tell us the difference between option 5, plan A, and plan B?
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