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Post by title1parent on Jul 15, 2008 6:36:32 GMT -5
Preserving parity is key in D204 Worries about fairness almost derail Neuqua soccer press box
July 15, 2008 By Tim Waldorf twaldorf@scn1.com
Concerns over who's keeping score and how they're doing it nearly derailed construction of a $70,000 soccer press box at Neuqua Valley High School.
Indian Prairie School District 204's school board was asked to approve bids for the facility's construction during its June 23 meeting, and it delayed that decision until its Monday meeting. It then approved the measure unanimously only after board President Mark Metzger seconded the motion by board member John Stephens; Metzger uncharacteristically offered a second from the chair because no other board members were willing to do so.
Questions of equality and history led to their hesitation.
Board member Jeannette Clark said the board vowed years ago that it would not fund the development of Neuqua's soccer facility, and that building the press box could be construed as going back on its word. Metzger had a different take. "I think what we said, and with stunning clarity, was that we will not fund the development of a soccer facility," he said. "The soccer facility now exists. What we're now being asked to do, in my opinion, is add onto that soccer facility - to add a press box."
And by building that press box, the district also will be adding much-needed outdoor storage for physical education instruction at Neuqua, Metzger said. That storage will be situated under the press box.
Of course, concerns over parity between the district's two high schools also arose during the discussion. Todd DePaul, District 204's director of building operations, attempted to sort those out, saying the district is only footing about $20,000 of the overall bill for the press box - booster clubs are covering the rest.
And the district's money, DePaul said, is Neuqua's discretionary funding from its athletic budget. Waubonsie Valley High School is given the same amount money, and as soon as baseball season is over, it will use the funding to add dugouts and more bleachers to its junior varsity baseball field, he said. It is the only field in the district that does not have those amenities.
Metzger noted that, like those dugouts and bleachers at Waubonsie, Neuqua's press box also can be considered a parity issue.
Waubonsie's soccer press box is the press box on the visiting side of the school's football field, which used to be the home stands until the district expanded the stadium. Metzger noted that the soccer field is right behind those stands and that press box.
So the district paid to put windows in each side so the structure could serve two functions.
"You face one way, you're dealing with football. You face the other way, you're dealing with soccer," he said.
Prior to the board's vote to approve the press box expenditure, board member Curt Bradshaw suggested that, before officially adding Metea Valley High School to the mix, the district do its best to identify the remaining issues of equality between Neuqua and Waubonsie.
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Post by specialneedsmom on Jul 15, 2008 6:50:05 GMT -5
JC is right on the money with this one.
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Post by title1parent on Jul 15, 2008 7:10:02 GMT -5
Actually the discussion was rather interesting. I understood where JC was going with it. And in regards to the 2 schools, the ability to keep them similar is important. The NV Soccer/Pressbox would also provide needed outdoor storage for the PE classes. The dugouts/bleachers at WV have been lacking for sometime now as compared to the other baseball/softball fields at WV and it was mentioned that NV had their baseball fields complete when opening the school. Seems KB approached both schools to find out what they could use and these were the two requests. Remaining money was available to help with these issues, and it seems that the boosters will still be helping with the soccer pressbox, iirc.
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 15, 2008 7:49:29 GMT -5
If a citizen or booster decides to donate $100,000 to NV (or WV or MV) for a specific purpose such as building a new music hall, does the district have to then spend the same amount on the other schools? Or do they have to shift future funds to the other schools to ensure parity?
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Post by wvhsparent on Jul 15, 2008 8:04:16 GMT -5
If a citizen or booster decides to donate $100,000 to NV (or WV or MV) for a specific purpose such as building a new music hall, does the district have to then spend the same amount on the other schools? Or do they have to shift future funds to the other schools to ensure parity? That soulds like a good question to ask the SB. I am sure you already really know the answer though.......
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Post by Arch on Jul 15, 2008 8:10:41 GMT -5
From the article, it sounded like everyone wanted to split hairs both for and against it.
It's rather simple, IMO. If it's needed, build it. Glad they approved it.
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Post by wvhsparent on Jul 15, 2008 8:21:50 GMT -5
From the article, it sounded like everyone wanted to split hairs both for and against it. It's rather simple, IMO. If it's needed, build it. Glad they approved it. and according to the article it appears most is being paid for by Boosters....so go for it......
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 15, 2008 10:15:45 GMT -5
If a citizen or booster decides to donate $100,000 to NV (or WV or MV) for a specific purpose such as building a new music hall, does the district have to then spend the same amount on the other schools? Or do they have to shift future funds to the other schools to ensure parity? That soulds like a good question to ask the SB. I am sure you already really know the answer though....... sure we do, that's why the guy at WVHS was doing the happy dance at orientation in anticipation of new coin coming in - and us schlubs leaving. They view the new boundaries are helping the parity --it's very clear.
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Post by warriorpride on Jul 15, 2008 10:34:18 GMT -5
That soulds like a good question to ask the SB. I am sure you already really know the answer though....... sure we do, that's why the guy at WVHS was doing the happy dance at orientation in anticipation of new coin coming in - and us schlubs leaving. They view the new boundaries are helping the parity --it's very clear. I didn't hear what was said, but I view MW as contributing positively to the parity of MW in this respect.
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 15, 2008 10:48:49 GMT -5
sure we do, that's why the guy at WVHS was doing the happy dance at orientation in anticipation of new coin coming in - and us schlubs leaving. They view the new boundaries are helping the parity --it's very clear. I didn't hear what was said, but I view MW as contributing positively to the parity of MW in this respect. We thought we did before also- as I am sure the rest of Hill did, but obviously is was a struggle to keep up... to paraphrase as closely as I can " the boundary changes will result in a changing of the areas attending Waubonsie Valley HS, and subsequently will level the playing field between NV and WV with regards to the amount of funds for the booster club. " this was after mentioning that the boosters had just added something to the wieght room.. but that....... and he led into the changes of which areas will be part of WVHS. I can tell you the group I was with ( all from Watts, except one family from Cowlishaw ) were quite taken aback. Already upset over leaving WVHS ( and right after seeing the new inspirational film for WVHS which is just excellent) - this was a kick in the stomach. The message was the playing field is not level now - but after WE and TG join ( and some others leave)- it will be now. So Hill out - most of Scullen in, bonanza time. I thought it was even odder to mention this since the Scullen group did not attend the WVHS orientation - they would have been at NV orientation - so the only people there who were an active part of this change - were the ones he was seemingly happily waving goodbye to. The entire group of us did mention this to Rudy and Jim in the fieldhouse afterwards, and I got the impression from the reaction, they were not happy with the comment either. btw - I do not think for a second he said it to be mean - or anything like that - I think they were excited about more funds and obviosuly discussions on booster club parity had already been had. Which is why I thought it was appropriate to this thread and who pays for what - booster club vs SB wise.
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Post by gatormom on Jul 15, 2008 10:51:55 GMT -5
sure we do, that's why the guy at WVHS was doing the happy dance at orientation in anticipation of new coin coming in - and us schlubs leaving. They view the new boundaries are helping the parity --it's very clear. I didn't hear what was said, but I view MW as contributing positively to the parity of MW in this respect. I agree with you WP. Nice that MV will have some great areas attending to support booster and PTA. Parity is a difficult thing to achieve especially when opening a new school.
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Post by momto4 on Jul 15, 2008 11:21:03 GMT -5
I can tell you the group I was with ( all from Watts, except one family from Cowlishaw ) were quite taken aback. Already upset over leaving WVHS ( and right after seeing the new inspirational film for WVHS which is just excellent) - this was a kick in the stomach. The message was the playing field is not level now - but after WE and TG join ( and some others leave)- it will be now. So Hill out - most of Scullen in, bonanza time. I don't understand why this would be any more of a kick to MW/Hill than any of the other more than 50% of areas that are moving out of WV to MV. I really would not doubt that numbers might show that the average household income or assessed value for houses in NV attendance area are currently higher than WV attendance area - regardless of how that translates into booster club $$.
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 15, 2008 11:25:17 GMT -5
I can tell you the group I was with ( all from Watts, except one family from Cowlishaw ) were quite taken aback. Already upset over leaving WVHS ( and right after seeing the new inspirational film for WVHS which is just excellent) - this was a kick in the stomach. The message was the playing field is not level now - but after WE and TG join ( and some others leave)- it will be now. So Hill out - most of Scullen in, bonanza time. I don't understand why this would be any more of a kick to MW/Hill than any of the other more than 50% of areas that are moving out of WV to MV. I really would not doubt that numbers might show that the average household income or assessed value for houses in NV attendance area are currently higher than WV attendance area - regardless of how that translates into booster club $$. I mentioned Hill because it is moving out in it's entirely - but it is no more a hit to them than anyone. The fact that this obviously was discussed as a benefit to the new boundaries was my point. Also fits the 'parity' topic here - but I know this didn't go into the boundary work
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Post by eb204 on Jul 15, 2008 11:28:01 GMT -5
I can tell you the group I was with ( all from Watts, except one family from Cowlishaw ) were quite taken aback. Already upset over leaving WVHS ( and right after seeing the new inspirational film for WVHS which is just excellent) - this was a kick in the stomach. The message was the playing field is not level now - but after WE and TG join ( and some others leave)- it will be now. So Hill out - most of Scullen in, bonanza time. I don't understand why this would be any more of a kick to MW/Hill than any of the other more than 50% of areas that are moving out of WV to MV. I really would not doubt that numbers might show that the average household income or assessed value for houses in NV attendance area are currently higher than WV attendance area - regardless of how that translates into booster club $$. Yes, for what it's worth, I think MV will have a "well-rounded" group of people from which to draw donations or to contribute in whatever means they can, whether that is through their wallet or their volunteer efforts. The fact that the money and volunteer efforts will be spread out over 3 HS's is a good thing, IMO. I don't think one will seem more affluent that another. At least I hope not. And remember, these are the same parents who have been contributing time and money to all of our ES and MS and they seem to be pretty equitable, from what I've seen and heard. But maybe I'm wrong.
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Post by Arch on Jul 15, 2008 11:31:54 GMT -5
I don't understand why this would be any more of a kick to MW/Hill than any of the other more than 50% of areas that are moving out of WV to MV. I really would not doubt that numbers might show that the average household income or assessed value for houses in NV attendance area are currently higher than WV attendance area - regardless of how that translates into booster club $$. I mentioned Hill because it is moving out in it's entirely - but it is no more a hit to them than anyone. The fact that this obviously was discussed as a benefit to the new boundaries was my point. Also fits the 'parity' topic here - but I know this didn't go into the boundary work Doc, "Balances enrollment with attention to school capacities providing room for growth. " People might have assumed student head count, but I didn't read verbiage excluding $$$ when talking about 'room for growth' or 'capacities'.
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