McAllen ISD $297 bond election: Pro vs Con
Tue, 2015-04-28 20:37
News Staff
There is a disconnect between what MISD (McAllen ISD) and its bond and tax advocates tell us about their vision of a 21st Century School. On the one hand they tell us they are merely seeking to restore schools to the functional classrooms like in Fossum Middle School and Perez Elementary. But … their own sales propaganda tells us that the goal of $201 million of this bloated $297 million bond (which the contractors are already salivating over) is “transforming all facilities into 21st century learning environments.” The (school) Board clearly states in its February 23rd Bond Resolution that it will use the bond proceeds for the goal of “capital improvements identified though the Guiding Principles of 21st Century Education Needs.” The MISD Website informs us that “The missing component (in our schools) is modern, functional 21st century learning environments.” The MISD’s and Transform McAllen’s (political action committee) promoting architect, in is full-page color Monitor editorial of April 23rd, bluntly states that MISD “needs” 21st century learning environments.The architect admits that while MISD’s buildings are “structurally sound,” they must be upgraded to accommodate today’s “learning styles.”The “missing link” (for which theywant us to pay $201million) according to architect Eli Ochoa’s promotion piece, “is the
21st century learning environment” with its “shared activity spaces where students can collaborate,” “moveable walls,” “flexible learning spaces,” “bursts of color and an abundance of natural light.” The school district’s website and that belonging to the FFAC (Facilities Forecast Advisory Committee) further explain (what they mean by) 21st century schools. (They feature) a video presentation by Architect Trung Le describing 21st century school buildings as “The Third Teacher” (along with real teachers and other students). The FFAC and MISD inform us in that video that 21st century schools require that we “drastically change the physical environment” of our schools, “create a new learning environment,” and even change the role of teachers from teacher to “guide and mentor.” (In a story published four years ago in Chicago Business) Mr. Le’s version of a 21st Century School is described.) Ed. note: GOOGLE “Architect Trung Le sheds light on school design.” Mr Le wants to destroy traditional school design and incorporate into classrooms natural light, lots of open space and collaborative work areas. Not surprisingly, these are the exact terms used by Eli Ochoa and in the FFAC’s Guiding Principles for the Bond Issue adopted by the MISD Board. Like Le, they call for a dramatic departure from teacher-centered schooling. Is this what we want for our McAllen children? I should mention that the 21st Century Education gurus warn us “This is not going to be cheap.” Maybe that explains the massive disconnect and conflict between the cost of neighboring schools built from scratch and the doubled costs of retrofitting already existing McAllen schools to the tax advocates’ 21st Century education “model.” Moveable walls and skylights are not cheap (and skylights are not hail proof). (These) 21st Century Learning environments differ from anything we have ever had in McAllen. Quoting from www.21stcenturyschools. com, they require a huge “transformation” of the learning environment. Hence the call by (McAllen ISD) for a “transformation,” and the adoption of the advocacy group’s “Transformers” motto. Their idea of “Transformation” is not a lighthearted cartoon character promotion – it is, in my opinion, the beginning of a radical and drastic change in the way we utilize our teachers and educate our children. Is there a “need” for this? Is there truly “no other way”? Join with me and vote AGAINST the bond issue and AGAINST an unproven costly experiment with our kids and our tax dollars. Let’s work together in creating a reasonable plan to provide our children with the best schools.