These folks act like they're spending someone else's money! Oh - wait...THEY ARE!!!

One year their going to close a school, now they want to buy more. And why? Because of students who can't fit in to other schools. How we spin and spin in circles for the least common (or is it most?) denominator! How about...NO!

I actually think it's a great idea. Ownership right now is the better way to go. Builds equity so you aren't throwing money away. Also, consolidating all of the alternative programs under one roof should save money on utility bills. A feasibility study is a must but it may be a good idea. Forward thinking.

There is extra room at Franklin for all the ESC staff? Have you been in that building recently? An unused room here and there, but with almost 600 kids, certainly not ample space for all the ESC office people.

Just as "rent" is comparable to "mortgage payment" for many potential home owners, so it is here. Right now there is little economic benefit to actually owning a home for many people, one reason that the housing market remains depressed, and so it is for commercial/civic purposes. You want to make sure that the purchase and refit cost is going to actually save you a significant amount of money.
.
I am really pretty adamant that people need to stop thinking there is free money just sitting around to save us from making hard decisions on our city and school budgets. Sure, stop paying rent, but how much do you actually save when you amortize the purchase and remodel costs? When you lump charter schools with different student demographics in the same building, do you get the same educational effect as when you keep them separate?
.
Additionally there is the strategic good for the downtown of having a building occupied. I don't expect that to be at the top of the district's list, but I hope they do consider it.
.
bluemoon, they did not merge schools because they found, when the issue was studied, there really wasn't that much extra space. Don't confuse "considering" with "demonstrated necessity". Some things are worth running the numbers on, but that doesn't mean the numbers will show that it's worth it to DO.

RockEnvironmentalNetwork is getting my drift. Don't tell me there is extra space in our schools and then tell me we need new buildings.

so if they purchase a building, after they remodel and furnish it (3 years) then they can stop paying rent correct? so in theory it will save us money unless they pay way to much for the building (from a good friend I expect) time will tell

There are plenty of empty buildings in Janesville for them to choose from! I would imagine those that have been sitting empty for some time could be purchased for a reasonable price as well.

Very short memories - they've studied this before

Maybe if they moved the district offices to Franklin, they could use the building downtown for the charter school. They could put different departments in different schools. Buying another building is not needed, thinking outside the box - is.

Maybe if they moved the district offices to Franklin, they could use the building downtown for the charter school. They could put different departments in different schools. Buying another building is not needed, thinking outside the box - is.

The board members certainly remember that they looked at closing a school. Greg Ardrey in particular led that study of school space and uses. They concluded that it wasn't a good idea.
------------------
The administration also looked into isolating a section of Franklin Middle School for use as a charter school. They got a lot of pushback from Franklin parents, who were worried about older kids and younger kids on the same campus, which was one reason that idea was shelved. -- Gazette reporter Frank Schultz

Yes it is,i wonder if they have short memory issues/dementia,seems they can't remember what they say or did the day before Hmmmmm..

Is this the same school district that is considering closing a school?