While I think the best suggestion came from Dave Hollister in 2008; close all three schools and build a new 'mega' high school in the GM Verlinden Lot, this idea appears to have been scrapped. This suggestion would benefit the community and the students the most, by providing them with a state of the art building that would surely bring back students who have left the district under 'school of choice'. Realizing the board did not consider this option, it all comes down to the numbers. If you review the side by side comparison for the three schools, it seems pretty clear that Eastern needs to be closed. The critical and long term costs are greater, the square footage and student capacity is smaller and the possibility of selling the property in the near future is better. Sexton has its own football stadium and is located in a residential neighborhood, which would make the property more difficult to sell. The IB program is great; however, the top jobs in the country for many years have been in the Engineering fields. This is the direction our future is headed in and we need to prepare our children for it. Sexton's focus on Math-Science-Engineering will prepare our kids for the next level. In addition, with the 2+2+2 program here in Lansing, college is more affordable and is seen as a reality for kids who may not have thought they would go to college. There is always going to be supporters for both schools, but we have to look at what is best for Lansing, the current students and the future students and families of Lansing.
margo clyma - 12 years ago
Certainly there are some creative ways that all of the schools could stay open and serve their communities in a positive way. Here are some ideas for partial use of the building: a day care center, administrative offices for the school district, or professional office space to be leased to the public. I am sure creative minds - perhaps the kids who go the school - could think of many more. I am a 1954 graduate of Eastern and still appreciate the wonderful structure and appointments of the school in addition to the exceptionally good faculty and atmosphere in the school. I am sure money is the key reason for closing a school - but there has to be a way to keep schools open in all of the Lansing area.
Bill is gay!
While I think the best suggestion came from Dave Hollister in 2008; close all three schools and build a new 'mega' high school in the GM Verlinden Lot, this idea appears to have been scrapped. This suggestion would benefit the community and the students the most, by providing them with a state of the art building that would surely bring back students who have left the district under 'school of choice'. Realizing the board did not consider this option, it all comes down to the numbers. If you review the side by side comparison for the three schools, it seems pretty clear that Eastern needs to be closed. The critical and long term costs are greater, the square footage and student capacity is smaller and the possibility of selling the property in the near future is better. Sexton has its own football stadium and is located in a residential neighborhood, which would make the property more difficult to sell. The IB program is great; however, the top jobs in the country for many years have been in the Engineering fields. This is the direction our future is headed in and we need to prepare our children for it. Sexton's focus on Math-Science-Engineering will prepare our kids for the next level. In addition, with the 2+2+2 program here in Lansing, college is more affordable and is seen as a reality for kids who may not have thought they would go to college. There is always going to be supporters for both schools, but we have to look at what is best for Lansing, the current students and the future students and families of Lansing.
Certainly there are some creative ways that all of the schools could stay open and serve their communities in a positive way. Here are some ideas for partial use of the building: a day care center, administrative offices for the school district, or professional office space to be leased to the public. I am sure creative minds - perhaps the kids who go the school - could think of many more. I am a 1954 graduate of Eastern and still appreciate the wonderful structure and appointments of the school in addition to the exceptionally good faculty and atmosphere in the school. I am sure money is the key reason for closing a school - but there has to be a way to keep schools open in all of the Lansing area.