July 11, 200519 yr Actually, it is kinda funny, because grasscat did make a comment about someone looking gay in Northside just a week or so ago: This was the Queen City Rainbow Band and their flag squad. GLBT, in case you hadn't guessed... Those guys were gay? Get outta here! ;) LOL...sorry, not really germane, but it was the perfect set-up...
July 11, 200519 yr Riverview East School is one of the ugliest buildings I have ever seen. It is a place where dreams are killed. Send your young child there and have an automoton come back. Does an "institution" have to look institutional?
July 11, 200519 yr Riverview East School is one of the ugliest buildings I have ever seen. It is a place where dreams are killed. Send your young child there and have an automoton come back. Does an "institution" have to look institutional? If you're just judging it from my pictures, you should really swing out that way and see it in person. Those are some very bad pictures - I don't have anything framed, you really don't get a feel for the place. I only posted them to show some of the colors they're using. I'm actually digging the place more and more - it seems like it's a series of structures, all up on stilts, with some interesting walkways between them and some accessibility stuff on the ground level. It's definitely one of the most interesting looking schools I've seen. I don't know if I'd call it attractive yet, but it is definitely interesting. Plus, the students will have a view of the Ohio River, every day, year round - I can't imagine anything cooler than that. My view in school was a parking lot, if we were lucky. Here's the location of the school:
July 13, 200519 yr From the 7/13/05 Eastern Hills Journal: Kilgour on the move to Hyde Park By Megan George Staff Intern HYDE PARK - Taped boxes and stuffed crates have taken the place of the hustle and bustle of children's footsteps at the Kilgour Elementary School in Hyde Park. The Kilgour Elementary School is in the process of moving to the Hyde Park School on Edwards Road that currently closed due to low enrollment. http://www.communitypress.com/ColumbiaTwpOH/News.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=15565&Section=Main%20News&OnlineSection=Main%20News&SectionPubDate=7/13/2005%202:59:36%20AM&RefDate=7/13/2005%202:59:36%20AM
July 15, 200519 yr * More demolition work is going on at the Walnut Hills HS athletic fields, with a small building and the belachers set to come down. * The same will be happening at Western Hills HS.
July 25, 200519 yr Well, it's time for chaos as the CPS tries to reshuffle students, put students in new buildings, and tear down other buildings. From the 7/25/05 Enquirer: PHOTO: Michael Jones, who works for Atlas movers, transfers furniture from Bramble Elementary to John P. Parker Elementary in Madisonville last week. Bramble students will follow the furnishings to Parker. Enquirer photos by Meggan Booker School shuffle begins in earnest Buildings razed, rebuilt, closed, opened By Jennifer Mrozowski Enquirer staff writer While nearly 37,000 Cincinnati Public Schools students enjoy summer vacation, the facilities staff is working through one its busiest summers ever, managing the moves of 19 schools. Many changes are part of the district's $1 billion construction project, which includes renovation or reconstruction of 60 buildings. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050725/NEWS01/507250347
July 30, 200519 yr * More demolition will occur at Withrow HS, where they are going to tear down Building J. This 21,154 square foot building was built in 1975. I have no idea what it looks like. EDIT (8/11/05): * Work is going on to upgrade Coy Field in University Hts. for use by the Hughes Center and the Stratford Heights community. Total expenditures are $1.18M.
July 30, 200519 yr Frederick Douglass School Went by this morning and got some pictures of the demolition of St. Paul's AME Church, at Kemper and Taft, where Douglass is to be built. Hey, maybe CPS will leave the steeple up, so we Walnut Hills-ers can boast of the highest steeple-to-church ratio in the city! Anyway here's a few shots from this morning:
August 1, 200519 yr ^ That's pretty sad to see. I love old churches. I'm going to add that I will no longer post in this thread if CPS goes ahead with its plan to knock down 22 buildings in OTR. I've wholeheartedly supported their $1B building program, but I won't support ANYTHING that they do in the future if they go through with something so careless. From the 8/1/05 Cincinnati Post: Students shuffled to other schools By Crystal Harden Post staff reporter A complex plan that will shuffle scores of Cincinnati students into different schools this year will rival a football team's play diagrams. The changes are necessary because of a massive construction program that will result in 64 new or renovated schools in the district and because declining enrollment has forced some mergers. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050801/NEWS01/508010351
August 18, 200519 yr Some older schools may be saved from the wrecking ball. From the 8/17/05 Cincinnati Post: CPS may sell 16 surplus schools By Tony Cook Post staff reporter The Cincinnati school board is considering the sale of as many as 16 of its school buildings in light of a loophole introduced in the new state budget. As early as next week, the board might declare some properties surplus. Twelve to 16 properties are being considered for surplus status, said school board Vice President Harriet Russell. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050817/NEWS01/508170361
August 19, 200519 yr School proposal a tough sell By Tony Cook Post staff reporter Some community leaders are frustrated with Cincinnati Public Schools for not consulting them about the school board's potential sale of 16 buildings. Leaders say in many cases those buildings are essential to preserving the character and integrity of their neighborhoods, and they want a say in what new owners might do to them. They question whether the process to date has given them the opportunity for that input. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050818/NEWS01/508180385
August 22, 200519 yr Here's an article I found from the 8/19/05 Enquirer listing the buildings: Cincinnati schools for sale? Buildings may be offered to developers, not charters By Jennifer Mrozowski Enquirer staff writer As many as 16 Cincinnati school buildings soon might be for sale if the school board takes advantage of a temporary loophole in state law permitting districts to sell them to private developers before selling them to charter schools or at a public auction. District officials said the buildings could raise needed cash to offset cost overruns they are facing as part of the $1 billion construction project to build and renovate 60 schools. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050819/NEWS0102/508190410/1058/NEWS01
August 26, 200519 yr I gotta agree with the Enquirer here. CPS has gotta to be able to "move forward"(the latest business lingo I here all the time at work) as does OTR. Friday, August 26, 2005 <b>CPS right to sell off surplus buildings</b> Editorials News that the Cincinnati Board of Education plans to sell 16 surplus school buildings to private developers was met with angry objections some neighborhood residents and business owners this week. These critics worry that historic and architecturally impressive buildings may be lost, along with the green space that surrounds some of the schools. To read more: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050826/EDIT01/508260356
August 26, 200519 yr This should be fun! please join us :-D Neighborhood Dogs Bark for Justice!! It's happening...... People are organizing their like-minded neighbors, friends, and advocates. Please spread the news Bring a placard, or leaflets, and perhaps a dog-biscuit WHAT: Neighborhood Dogs Bark for Justice! WHO: Anyone who is concerned about the green space by SCPA. Bring your dog! We are going to have a blast! WHEN: Saturday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m. WHY: Many canines and their owners want to express their concerns publicly to the press regarding the potential loss of the wonderful green space next to SCPA. GOAL To get as much press coverage as possible and to voice our concerns. Many are very sad that this wonderful green space which enhances our community greatly could go away. SPREAD THE WORD!
August 27, 200519 yr Three new schools opened on opening day for CPS. I have made the changes on the running update. Here's the story from the 8/23/05 Cincinnati Post: Rockdale Academy has a brand new building in Avondale. Here some staff members meet in the lunchroom to prepare for the first day of class. MELVIN GRIER/The Post New digs greeting many students By Mark Hansel Post staff reporter Thousands of Cincinnati Public Schools students headed back to the classroom today, many to a different school than they left a few months ago. A massive construction program throughout the district will result in 64 new or renovated schools and some mergers as a result of declining enrollment. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050823/NEWS01/508230353
September 2, 200519 yr Okay, a couple of things as far as the facilities master plan goes: * There will be many demolitions along Beekman St. between the current cleared site and Millvale Ct. I believe it will be total of 8 CMHA buildings. This is for the new Millvale K-8. * Construction is set to begin for the new Douglass K-8 at the corner of Taft and Park in Walnut Hills.
September 11, 200519 yr The architect, Emilio Fernandez, for the one and only modern school that CPS is doing so far, Riverview East Academy K-12 (East End), was profiled by the Enquirer. I'll just post the link since, the article is more about residential houses. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050910/LIFE08/509100304/1089
September 12, 200519 yr I guess it depends on your definition of modern. The brick and pitched roofs the others have hardly make them classical or traditional design.
September 13, 200519 yr The new Pleasant Hill school in College Hill is quite unremarkable. It's just bland, and we're going to have to live with it for the next 50 years.
September 14, 200519 yr Are you saying you would prefer to send your child to the blue box with yellow amoeba pictured above? I love good architecture, modern or otherwise, but don't compliment it just for being different. Our standards have sunk so low.
September 14, 200519 yr You bet. I'd take something a little different, modern, and unique than wishing and hoping an abandon building that's been empty 10-15 years will be fixed up sometime in the next 20 years.
September 19, 200519 yr Well, I fixed one up and like it fine, thank you. The current SCPA is one of the coolest schools in the city. CPS is crazy to sell it. They will regret trading this masterpiece for a steel and dryvit building that needs to be replaced in 20 years.
October 2, 200519 yr I'm kind of late with this post, but you've probably noticed that the structure on the NE corner of Taft and Kemper has been demolished. This is for the new Douglass K-8, which replaces Hoffman and Windsor. The building will be massive and it will front on Park Ave.
October 4, 200519 yr Pleasant Hill Academy opens By Roy Wood Post staff reporter Nearly 700 Cincinnati Public Schools students moved into new digs Monday as Pleasant Hill Academy opened. "It was a busy day but it was a good day," Principal John Copenhaver said. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051004/NEWS01/510040360
October 7, 200519 yr City's public schools lose 1,200 students By Jennifer Mrozowski Enquirer staff writer Cincinnati Public Schools lost more than 1,200 students this year, according to preliminary district estimates, which could cost the school system millions in state funding and compound the district's financial problems. According to a student tally taken in September, the district had 35,592 students in grades K-12. That's down 3.3 percent from 36,818 students last year. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051007/NEWS0102/510070376
October 7, 200519 yr I have a close relative who teaches at Hughes. She said that their school has NOT had a drop in enrollment, and is on budget. Despite this, Blackwell has eliminated 4 teachers, 6 weeks into the school year, and the teachers that are left, must suddenly increase their classes. She said that her students are half way through reading a novel, and must start anew with the new students. The teachers and students were not treated properly in this instance.
October 17, 200519 yr As has probably been noted already, the demo for Douglass (Walnut Hills) is complete, and the site seems prepped. I posted pictures of the church in mid-demolishment in July, but it's all done now... Thanks for the round-up, as always!
October 17, 200519 yr ^ Yep. I mentioned it in my post on the 2nd. Of course, now you're obligated to get photos while it's being built. ;)
October 18, 200519 yr Definitely plan to! It's on the way to Giminetti's, so I'll be driving past it at least weekly!
October 18, 200519 yr All these new schools are supposed to make kids get better grades and graduate? What a waste of money! Schools in west chester and mason, lakota etc expand and build new schools because enrollment is increasing. Cincinnati builds and expands schools when enrollment is decreasing...
October 18, 200519 yr Insert Quote All these new schools are supposed to make kids get better grades and graduate? What a waste of money! Schools in west chester and mason, lakota etc expand and build new schools because enrollment is increasing. Cincinnati builds and expands schools when enrollment is decreasing... What are you trying to say? These kids should be educated in 75-100 year old buildings with plaster falling on them during the day, broken windows, and no AC just because the district is shrinking? They are building all new schools because the conditions in them are/were deplorable. Don't these kids deserve the same learning environment as suburban kids? I think they would need even more help given the background and upbringing most of them have.
October 18, 200519 yr Also, Cincinnati is not expanding their schools, they are even cut back the number they originally planned, saving taxpayers money. Also, isn't more than half coming from the state, otherwise those dollars would go to the growning communities. Cincinnati is just replacing their old inadequate facilties that are very high maintaince to operate and do not have modern amentities. Technology has changed education, and schools have to be able to support it with proper spaces for computer labs/wiring/etc. Hundreds of school districts across Ohio are rebuilding their delapitated schools and their enrollment isn't growing rapidly either. New buildings will envoke pride in the students and teachers as they will know the community supports their education. I went to Jr. High in a crumbling building from 1921, then went to high school in a building built in 1968 and 1992. There was defiently a difference. You can't tell me that in all your time in school, a room that was too hot, or too cold would not distract from learning. Would you like to live or work in a building with pealing lead paint, broken plaster, inadequate plumbing and electrical, etc. If the old buildings are fixed up to their orignal glory, there would be no difference, but most arn't and the cost to do so is much more to taxpayers than to start from scratch. If you want to talk about waste, look at the two new stadiums. Paul Brown went $55M over budget, thats 5 elementary schools. While they bring money and people into the city, they don't really help anyone socially. Many of the children in Cincinnati live in housing just as depressed as the schools, going to a bright new school with grand classrooms and shiny floors would be uplifting and without a doubt encourage learning and an feeling of pride, making students want to come to school. It may be hard for you to understand this if you've never gone to a newer school or you are the typical "I walked 10 miles to school uphill both ways and I had no shoes at all" type of guy, but new and decent schools are important to a community for growth and reform. Our forefathers understood, no one here would doubt the beauty and quality of public schools built in the earty 20th century. A community is judged by how it treats its children and elderly, do you want to be known for sending your kids to old crumbling, non climate controlled buildings? Passing that bond levy was a huge step for Cincinnati.
October 18, 200519 yr Not only were the old schools in bad shape, in need of tremendous maintenance expenses, there were a lot of other factors. For instance, here's an excerpt from the master plan for my local Elementary School, Windsor School: The ventilation system of the overall facility is inadequate to meet the needs of the users. The classrooms are undersized to meet current standards established by the State of Ohio. A door contacts and motion sensor type security system does exist in the school. The overall facility does have an automatic fire-alarm system but does not have a sprinkler system. The overall facility is not compliant with ADA accessibility requirements. The school is located on a two acre site adjacent to residential. The property and playground are fenced for security. Access onto the site is unrestricted. Site circulation is poor. There is no dedicated space for school buses to load and unload on the site. Parking for staff, visitors and community events is inadequate. It's 1888 construction, masonry walls, cast concrete floors - there's only so much you can do to update it. Its setting prevents you from controlling access to the site, which is a real security concern they didn't have in 1888; there was no ADA in 1888; there were no parking/traffic flow concerns in 1888, no school busses in 1888. If it were just one or two things, those could be worked around or dealt with. But considering all of those issues, plus inadequate ventilation, plus tiny classrooms, plus what I've read being described as "poor restrooms", plus no sprinkler system, plus maintenance costs, I think building the new Douglass Elementary is a wise use of funds. And I don't believe Windsor is the worst of the buildings they're decommissioning - I don't know the other facilities, but I'd imagine it's probably one of the schools in better shape physically - it looks well maintained on the outside, at least. It's just completely inadequate as a school today.
October 19, 200519 yr Also, Cincinnati is not expanding their schools, they are even cut back the number they originally planned, saving taxpayers money. Also, isn't more than half coming from the state, otherwise those dollars would go to the growning communities. Cincinnati is just replacing their old inadequate facilties that are very high maintaince to operate and do not have modern amentities. First of all, great post. Secondly, the state is paying for only about a quarter of the project. The rest is being paid for by CPS through a bond issue that passed when put before voters. Finally, you are also right about the plan being scaled back. There are periodic revisions to the facilites master plan where they look at enrollments, housing patterns, etc. and they adjust the program accordingly. Just looking at the project bid numbers the other day quite a few of them are down from $1M-$5M per project from what they had as their original estimates. They are definitely making adjustments on the fly.
October 19, 200519 yr ^I am surprised the state is only paying that much, actually kind of upset, Hamilton is getting 59% paid by the state in their building program. I guess they think Cincinnati has a bigger tax base.
November 6, 200519 yr From the 11/4/05 Enquirer: MULTIMEDIA • Task force report on CPS (PDF) Independent analysts say CPS faces financial crisis By Jennifer Mrozowski Enquirer staff writer An independent task force that has been analyzing Cincinnati Public Schools' finances for more than a year released a bruising report Thursday, saying the district routinely spends more money than it takes in and faces a financial crisis. The group predicted that the 35,600-student district will have overspent its revenues by more than $95 million in the next five years and will deplete its savings unless district leaders take additional action to guarantee a balanced budget. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051104/NEWS0102/511040410/1058/NEWS01
November 7, 200519 yr I am passing this on..If you watched the I-team report on cps last night you know how important this election is. There are 4 seats on CPS Board available, and here our suggested slate: * Eileen Cooper Reed (first time candidate) former director of local and state Children Defense Fund, atty, teacher (she's awesome actually ・frequently mentions schools belong to the community not the school board ・hurray!) * Susan Cranley (first time candidate) great thinker, excellent communicator, teacher, research librarian, and advocate of lifelong learning ・smart as heck Bill Haase (first time candidate) Financial planner, good listener, good coalition partner with Reed and Cranley * Catherine Ingram (incumbent) She's not exactly a friend but were hoping she beats Harriet Russell and Melanie Bates, the other 2 incumbents running for re-election. The incumbents running for re-election --> we suggesting these folks should retire from serving: Harriet Russell is no friend of ours! Melanie Bates who was interviewed by LQ in her historic house The following board members are not up for re-election this year: Dr Florence Newell, President of the CPS Board (she was interviewed on-camera by LQ) Rick Williams (he's friendly to OTR) John Gilligan Sally Warner (now a lame duck, she decided to not run for re-election this year) Hope this helps! And many thanks for your keen interest. There is a lot at stake.
November 12, 200519 yr Reformers named to CPS board Election seen as sign voters wanted change By Jennifer Mrozowski Enquirer staff writer The Cincinnati school board experienced a shake-up Tuesday night when voters elected three reform candidates to the seven-member group, a change that the winners say will mean a renewed emphasis on improving academic achievement and more transparency in the district. Though tallies from the race aren't yet official, community leaders and parents say they hope the new slate will bridge divisions that have plagued the board. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051110/NEWS01/511100346/1056
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