Regarding the new teachers' contract, I am very glad to hear that smaller class sizes and full-day kindergarten at age 4 are part of the deal. Class size, in my opinion, is the single most important factor in the classroom (I'm a former teacher).

I really really wish this would happen but citizens in outter ring suburbs feal to far superior compared to inner ring suburban and city citiezens.

 

People in inner-ring suburbs would not agree because probably half of the reason they moved out to Garfield Hts., Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts., Parma, Lakewood, Maple Hts., etc. is for better education.

 

The bridge between suburban schools like Solon and Westlake High Schools for instance is very large compared to inner-city schools like Collinwood and East Tech high school.

Maybe the Cuyahoga district could be phased like adding E.C, Euclid, Cleveland HTs-Uni Hgts ect. first. Then later try and add districts further out. This all goes with the whole regionalism thing thats getting attention for whatever reason. I hope this plan can get some real discussion going.

I think there is still far too much fear and racism in Cuyahoga County and Greater Cleveland for something like this to work. And even those who aren't racist are classist. They don't mind if their kids hang around someone of a different race or ethnic background as long as they have similar manners, discipline, work ethic and, yes, income.

 

Among us whites, we hear things said by other whites they wouldn't say around minorities. And I'm sad to say that when I hear them spoken, I realize there's some deep-felt racism still alive and well in many people. That goes for police, too. When some became comfortable with me as a reporter, they said things about blacks that made me realize that fears expressed by many blacks about some cops are real. Though some blacks don't help their cause, either, by calling police racists after the minority was caught shoplifting.

 

It went the other way, too. When I attended Myers College, I was in the minority. I was shocked to hear that blacks were scared to go out into the suburbs for fear of being hassled by police (see above) and getting arrested for "Driving while black." They called English "your (white people's) language," a few wondered why a "Wonder Bread guy" from Geauga County would want to go to "their school," and some called me "Ronald Reagan" for my views, even though I'm pretty liberal.

 

Maybe a Cuyahoga School District would help to bridge this cultural divide, too. In fact, I think we should address that divide before we even consider a countywide school district. Otherwise, I predict fear will prevail and we'll see a repeat of the "Escape From Cleveland" that we saw after Judge Battisti desegregated the Cleveland schools in the 1970s. This time, however, the escape would be from Cuyahoga County.

 

You may think this is funny, but I really believe that we first need some cultural exchange programs between kids in the city and suburban school districts. I honestly believe the cultural divide has grown that wide that a misunderstanding has bred a fear that complicates any desire to unite the region.

Well said KJP - the cultural issues would most certainly be the largest obstacles to overcome in Northeast Ohio.  Frankly, a good chunk of Clevelanders are classist/racist (whichever you want to choose) and that's a sad fact.

 

It would be interesting to do a little study here looking at what are the ratios at our schools now & how much change would be necessary.  Also the idea is to integrate economically, so there may not be the straight racial divide at the schools - but at the same time, there would be a fear amongst the public that could leave to an exodus. 

 

Looking at where Wake County is though is damned impressive.

A good chunk of human beings are classist/racist.  Do you really think Clevelanders are unique in this?

You may think this is funny, but I really believe that we first need some cultural exchange programs between kids in the city and suburban school districts. I honestly believe the cultural divide has grown that wide that a misunderstanding has bred a fear that complicates any desire to unite the region.

 

My grade school (a West Park catholic grade school) did that with a catholic school in Glenville when we were in 5th grade. Its really a great idea, especially if you do it with younger kids in Bay and inner city Cleveland.

 

While I'm all for a metro school system, I'd rather keep make it all neighborhood-based with a good number of strong magnet schools.  Nashville does this very well. My wife lived in suburban Nashville (metro gov.) and went to a great magnet school downtown. If they didn't have this school, her family would have moved to the next county. I hope that John Hay can become a strong magnet school for the city.

You may think this is funny, but I really believe that we first need some cultural exchange programs between kids in the city and suburban school districts. I honestly believe the cultural divide has grown that wide that a misunderstanding has bred a fear that complicates any desire to unite the region.

 

Those existed in the 80's, I'm not sure if school districts do it in the present though.

 

I know Shaker, Heights, Beachwood, Brush, Richmond Hts. & Lakewood each did this with Cleveland Schools.  I think Bedford, Berea, Euclid, Brooklyn, Brecksville, Twinsburg and Solon may have been included.  You'd be paired with a student of like classes/grades at a Cleveland school. 

 

You would talk on the phone with you "peer host" for a couple of weeks about classes, school culture, extra curricular activities, etc. to get to know your host. 

 

Shortly thereafter, you would would spend one week at your peers school and the following week switch.

 

It was certainly an eye opener as to how the other schools are run.

Receiver throws out a lifeline

Posted by Joseph L. Wagner May 16, 2007 13:56PM

Categories: Browns

 

Cleveland Browns wideout Braylon Edwards has done his share of receiving, but now he is proving he knows how to give as well.

 

Edwards, through a foundation bearing his name, pledged $1 million Wednesday in college scholarships to 100 Cleveland Municipal School District eighth-graders as an incentive for them to finish high school and go on to higher education.

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

Receiver throws out a lifeline

 

Cleveland Browns wideout Braylon Edwards has done his share of receiving, but now he is proving he knows how to give as well.

 

Edwards, through a foundation bearing his name, pledged $1 million Wednesday in college scholarships to 100 Cleveland Municipal School District eighth-graders as an incentive for them to finish high school and go on to higher education.

good man!  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

From the 7/17/07 PD:

 

 

School crime up a bit in Cleveland

Tougher actions, drop in students fail to cut crimes

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Joseph L. Wagner

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Serious crimes rose a bit in Cleveland schools the past year despite beefed-up security and tough talk from school officials. The number of crimes reported at schools increased from 2,388 to 2,408, according to the district.

 

More at cleveland.com

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1184661624101160.xml&coll=2

 

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Cleveland schools ready to open academy for struggling boys

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/17536129.htm

 

Associated Press

 

TED GINN'S ACADEMY: It's not football. Coach Ted Ginn's concept of an academy for high school boys at risk of dropping out of the Cleveland schools will focus on academics and urge them to go on to higher education or get a job.

 

WHO'S IN?: Initially, 50 boys in the 10th grade and 100 9th graders.

 

COACH GINN'S MOTIVE: "I wanted that responsibility of training our young people in the Cleveland system so they can become premier men in the country."

 

Read PD's article today sad to see that some high schools might be left out of new renovation plan but happy to see progress and that rhodes is getting some renovation done.

Cleveland schools get good news on report card

Posted by Angela Townsend August 02, 2007 18:11PM

Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer Cleveland schools CEO Eugene Sanders

 

For the first time since the state began its report card rating system for school districts in 1999, the Cleveland schools have moved out of the bottom rungs to achieve "continuous improvement."

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

Well this is really good news.

HUGE news. Now, on to "EFFECTIVE."

 

[edit]

 

Whoops: I read wrong. I thought this was about the Columbus Schools who also received a good report card today.

 

So much for my reading comprehension...

Way to go, Eugene, and way to go Cleveland schools!  :clap:

Interesting thread...obviously my first time posting on this board.

 

Not to bring up older issues, but I have to agree in some sense with that Locust poster.  No, I don't agree that the students are "stupid" or "hopeless", but I do agree while most schools could use more funding, there is enough there in Cleveland that if you had motivated parents who were interested in their child's development, the school system would be at least average rather than its current miserable state.  Unfortunately, that is not the case. 

 

The real issue behind Cleveland schools is the culture of the community.  Read the article in the PD today about the 4 teenagers who killed an elderly woman after running her over in a stolen vehicle.  The first thing I notice was none of the parents last names matched that of the child.  None of these kids are coming from stable homes and regardless of what kind of school system you put them in, the likelyhood of success is low.

 

I went to Solon High School.  There were people in my class or in the classes around me who were not good students.  The problem with all of them clearly wasn't the school and in most cases it wasn't their aptitude for learning.  Instead, it was their home support system.  Their parents weren't involved or weren't the type of people who should be having kids.  Of course, this was more of a minority in Solon than in Cleveland, but it still is the same principle...bad homes produce bad kids (for the most part).  Put a bunch of bad homes all together where there is no peer pressure to help compensate for the lack of home support and you have the disaster that is the Cleveland School System.  Change the culture and the schools will come around.

 

Another point I wanted to touch on was the issue of being racist or classist.  Obviously, being racist is a bad thing, but I don't think "classist" exists, at least not in the context given.  I don't think people look down on each other based on their income.  I do think people look down on the other if they have different "manners, discipline, and work ethic"

 

But why is that bad?  I expect every member of society to adhere to a certain social code of responsibility, to treat one another with respect, and pull their own weight, at least to the point where they are not a drain on society.  And it's not a cultural difference.  Japanese manners are very different from American manners, but there is a set of manners either way.  Many inner city kids don't display "different manners"; they show no manners at all - that's the problem and I will look down upon that regardless of who you are or where you come from. 

 

And again, it goes back to the home culture they come from.  Every child born in Cleveland is capable of becoming a responsible member of society.  But their parents are putting them at a disadvantage right out of the gate by not being good parents.  Put all of these kids in the same place and they have nothing to keep them from heading down the wrong path.

 

The Cleveand School System should really focus on two things - traditional education and social education.  There should be a "Health" course taught the same way English and Math are taught - requirement every year to graduate.  These kids need to be taught sex ed, the negative effects of drugs, and have all of the conversations most of us had with our parents at school because their parents aren't going to have those conversations with them.  Then hopefully, when they become parents, they will understand the need to be involved and the cycle will slowly break.

 

OK, this is getting long...just some thoughts on what I think is the key to making Cleveland a better place...improve the quality of the schools which I believe really requires an overall change of mind set from Cleveland parents.

I agree with most of your post... and I understand you're referring to a specific issue/context, but I truly hope you don't believe this applies to society at large:

 

"I don't think "classist" exists, at least not in the context given.  I don't think people look down on each other based on their income."

 

 

Not to bring up older issues, but I have to agree in some sense with that Locust poster.  No, I don't agree that the students are "stupid" or "hopeless", but I do agree while most schools could use more funding, there is enough there in Cleveland that if you had motivated parents who were interested in their child's development, the school system would be at least average rather than its current miserable state.  Unfortunately, that is not the case. 

 

.....

 

 

The Cleveand School System should really focus on two things - traditional education and social education.  There should be a "Health" course taught the same way English and Math are taught - requirement every year to graduate.  These kids need to be taught sex ed, the negative effects of drugs, and have all of the conversations most of us had with our parents at school because their parents aren't going to have those conversations with them.  Then hopefully, when they become parents, they will understand the need to be involved and the cycle will slowly break.

 

 

Welcome to the board, and good first post.  I actually agree with alot of what you said, but let me point out that you actually started to answer the question of why Cleveland needs more funding even though it's funding is already reasonably high per pupil.  It takes more resources for a school to educate, and unfortunately raise, a kid who has no family support.  Special ed is expensive, so is security, after school programs, before school programs, free lunches and now even breakfasts.  None of this is to mention the costs of maintaining or replacing an old building stock.  The scope of the job just isn't the same.

but let me point out that you actually started to answer the question of why Cleveland needs more funding even though it's funding is already reasonably high per pupil.  It takes more resources for a school to educate, and unfortunately raise, a kid who has no family support.  Special ed is expensive, so is security, after school programs, before school programs, free lunches and now even breakfasts.  None of this is to mention the costs of maintaining or replacing an old building stock.  The scope of the job just isn't the same.

 

This is all true and I suppose I didn't take this into consideration when thinking about funding.  I guess my main point here is much of the blame is projected on the schools when I think the problem really lies in the underlying culture of some of the neighborhoods in the city...not enough parents taking responsibility for their children. 

 

This is where I think good city leaders would come in handy by developing a strong City of Cleveland youth program - something subsidized by tax dollars or business sponsors that would provide kids an opportunity to be a part of something after school, be it sports, arts, whatever...anything to establish community involvement in something other than being a mischievous kid with no parental guidance.

I totally agree, shs. How would something like that get started? I think more of a community outreach type of thing would be terrific.

The last school levy (2005, I think?) was aimed specifically at this ... a sizable chunk of the funds were set aside to revive, offer and/or expand after-school programming for students, with the majority of this programming in sports and the arts. It failed pretty miserably on the ballot, though.

School uniforms still topic of debate among Cleveland students

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Laura Johnston - Plain Dealer Reporter

 

To Ariel Elder, school uniforms are all bad.

 

Uncomfortable. Plain. Boring.

 

"They're trying to make everybody look like twins," said the 13-year-old, who is entering seventh grade at Miles Elementary in Cleveland.

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

tsk tsk tsk.  If I had to wear a uniform to school, I might very well be a drop out! 

 

This just give me horrible flashback to the dinner my parents hosted, for some counselor from St. Ignatius and a family from Beachwood who sent their kid to st. Ignatius, when they were trying to "recruit" my brother and my parents were going to send me as well.  UGH!

 

Long live public school!

 

I'll tell you a story about a young altar boy named JamieC who took the tests and wrote a very thought-out essay to try and get into Walsh Jesuit High School. He did perfectly fine on all his tests but still didn't get in to that stupid high school, he suspects because his dad added an additional letter to the application that said he wanted him to do a work-study program to help pay for the cost - including janitorial work. Maybe kids don't clean the urinals at Walsh! JamieC's parish pastor was so mad when he didn't get in, he called his parents and said he'd make some calls. JamieC was so mad, he stopped going to church when he was 16. Take that!

 

It makes me sad that public schools are doing so bad because I personally think they are an amazing resource and important to understanding people in your community. We are facing some real problems in funding, culture, families -- EVERYWHERE. I don't know if uniforms will help, but if they help keep kids safe in some way, then it's worth it. Unfortunately, you need to be careful. My high school in Cuyahoga Falls started treating kids like convicts and they started acting like convicts.

tsk tsk tsk.  If I had to wear a uniform to school, I might very well be a drop out! 

 

This just give me horrible flashback to the dinner my parents hosted, for some counselor from St. Ignatius and a family from Beachwood who sent their kid to st. Ignatius, when they were trying to "recruit" my brother and my parents were going to send me as well.  UGH!

 

 

fyi  I loved wearing my uniform every single day at wonderful St. Ignatius!! No sarcasm intended! Viva St. Ignatius!!

fyi  I loved wearing my uniform every single day at wonderful St. Ignatius!! No sarcasm intended! Viva St. Ignatius!!

 

Drone!

 

 

Just my opinion, but: Uniforms, bad.  Dress code: good.  I hate the idea, the sight, the philosophy of dressing our public school products (because that's what they really ARE, produce) alike.  But there is nothing wrong with requiring some code of dress to prepare them for real-world standards of presentability.

Just my opinion, but: Uniforms, bad.  Dress code: good.   I hate the idea, the sight, the philosophy of dressing our public school products (because that's what they really ARE, produce) alike.   But there is nothing wrong with requiring some code of dress to prepare them for real-world standards of presentability.

 

Agreed!  It seems a few of the students interviewed also have this point of view.  However, kids need to have guidelines from parents in regard to the way they dress, and that must start at home.

I would have opposed any kind of dress code when I was in school; especially considering I had one side of my head shaved, and my bangs were down to my chin, and wore black, black and more black like a good artsy alterna-punk. However, where I went to school had a 90ish% college placement rate and the worst gang activity was a fight between the hoods and the jocks. If a dress code helps get the schools back into shape, I can't really be opposed to it. :|

I would have opposed any kind of dress code when I was in school; especially considering I had one side of my head shaved, and my bangs were down to my chin, and wore black, black and more black like a good artsy alterna-punk. However, where I went to school had a 90ish% college placement rate and the worst gang activity was a fight between the hoods and the jocks. If a dress code helps get the schools back into shape, I can't really be opposed to it. :|

 

MayDay formerly known as Alterna-Punk Spice.  LOL

Thousands rally for Cleveland schools

 

Posted by kturner August 21, 2007 16:52PM

 

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Thousands of Cleveland public school teachers and support staff celebrated the district's new state rating Tuesday during a rally in Quicken Loans Arena.

 

Gov Ted Strickland and others thanked teachers for their role in the district's move from "academic watch" to "continuous improvement."

 

More at cleveland.com

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/08/thousands_rally_for_cleveland/print.html

Great! They SHOULD celebrate.

 

I wonder what kind of party they'll throw when the schools move to an excellent rating (or whatever the top one is)?

I don't know what kind of party they'll throw, but I know I'll be throwing a HUGE party as that would mean the state of Northeast Ohio has greatly improved and my property value just went through the roof!

I don't know what kind of party they'll throw, but I know I'll be throwing a HUGE party as that would mean the state of Northeast Ohio has greatly improved and my property value just went through the roof!

 

Thats exactly what I'm talking about!  I don't have any kids and I voted yes to the levy!

It seems a little early to celebrate.  We still only met four standards and have one of the lowest performance index scores in the state.

pd:

 

Schools CEO is the real deal

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Dick Feagler

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

We're all going back to school with Dr. Gene Sand ers. Let's hope he can change public education in Cleveland. Nobody else has.

 

School superintendents have come and gone. A lot of them presided only briefly, and weakly, over this school system. They made their money, eloped and left behind them platitudes and rhetoric. And a fat, cashed, goodbye check.

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

Okay. So where's the recognition that Frank Jackson put this man in place?

I like what I've heard so far from Dr. Gene. 

 

I'm interested to see how the "bad kids school" plays out.  I don't necessarily think its a bad idea...you're just going to need a lot of talented teachers to turn that group around.

 

Hopefully in 20 years we will be able to turn around the real problem, as Dick eluded to, bad parents.

 

How do you feel about putting laws in place to help curtail the number of kids people have with different partners?  Father kids from more than 1 woman while not being married to either and you could face mandatory vasectomy (yeah, yeah...that probably won't fly...but similar laws are in place in China). 

 

That's the real problem we're facing...too many Travis Henry's out there.

Even if they don't turn around the problem kids, it will be a success if it makes it possible for the other children who care about their future to learn.

Even if they don't turn around the problem kids, it will be a success if it makes it possible for the other children who care about their future to learn.

 

top 10 post of the year material, by Mr. X.

Even if they don't turn around the problem kids, it will be a success if it makes it possible for the other children who care about their future to learn.

 

^ Yes sir, that's the truth. 

 

I was driving around the Union-Kinsman area the other day around the time school got out.  I've got to admit, it was nice to see the teenage boys walking around in khakis and collared shirts instead of looking at sagging pants and boxers.  So far, I'm impressed by Dr. Sanders; hopefully, these changes will begin to be reflected in the academic performance within the Cleveland schools in the coming years.  I'm optomistic that things will change for the better (not that they can get any worse).  Better schools means a better Cleveland, plain and simple.

Someplace in GA, I think .. Savannah, I wanna say .. is proposing a law for people wearing their pants too low to get a fine of $100. That, I think, is hilarious.

^ Atlanta

Wouldn't current indecent exposure laws cover this?

Wouldn't current indecent exposure laws cover this?

 

I doubt it.

 

I can see that these sorts of laws would be easily defeated if challenged constitutionally.

Design Review today and Planning Commission tomorrow:

 

2. DRC 07-054: 17914 Euclid Avenue, Euclid Park K-8 School, New Construction, Final Review (CMSD/Ward 10) (From June 14, 2007) [submitted 10/9/07]

 

APPROVAL BEING SOUGHT:  Final approval of the project as presented.

 

LOCATION:  The existing Euclid Park K-8 School site is located on the south side of Euclid Avenue and is situated on the upper end of the sloped site.  All vehicular access is off Cliffview Road to the east of the site.  There is an existing series of concrete steps which connect the sidewalk along Euclid Avenue to the upper portion of the site and school.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

 

Size of site:         4 ac. Building size: 53,856 s.f.

Projected student pop.: 351 Projected staff pop.: 34

Parking spaces shown: 48

 

The existing Euclid Park School was constructed in 1922 and was ranked as a Group 2 priority building (of high historic/architectural significance) by the Cleveland Restoration Society in March 2003.  It is scheduled to be demolished to make room for the new building.  Major construction is intended to begin Spring 2008 and be completed by Fall 2009.

 

The proposed site development places the academic wing parallel with Euclid Avenue with the main entry and community spaces to the south.  The circular parking layout allows for separation of the Kindergarten and Parent/Bus drop-off areas.  All vehicular access continues to be off Cliffview Road, including service access and deliveries.

 

The classrooms are oriented around a double-loaded corridor.  The Media Center and the Art Room, which also comprise the classroom section, have been oriented to the north face of the building to take advantage of views to Lake Erie.

 

The major exterior materials are intended to be brick masonry walls, ribbed metal panel, aluminum windows, with a combination of sloped roofs and built-up low-slope roofs.

 

PRIOR ACTION:  On June 15, 2007, the Planning Commission adopted the recommendation of the Design Review Advisory Committee, which recommended Schematic Design Approval, including the placement and configuration of the building footprint on the site and the overall site layout, scale and massing of the building, and general texture and design of the building facades.

 

MODIFICATIONS TO PREVIOSLY APPROVED PLANS:  The Media Center has been relocated to the second floor and the classrooms repositioned to form a continuous two-story façade facing Euclid Avenue.  Some clerestory windows have been eliminated from the east elevation and the roofline has been simplified.  Access to the Service area has been reconfigured to enlarge the size of the Elementary playground, and a walkway to the school has been added along the drive from Cliffview Road.

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends approval of the project as presented, subject to the submission of a plant list and presentation of material and color selections.

 

 

 

 

 

3. DRC 07-057: 3588 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Nathan Hale K-8 School, New Construction, Final Review (CDMS/Ward 3) (From August 2, 2007) [submitted 10/9/07]

 

APPROVAL BEING SOUGHT:  Final approval of the project as presented.

 

LOCATION:  The site is bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the east, East 110th Street to the west, Benham Avenue (a residential street south of Union Avenue) to the north and Aetna Road to the south.  The existing school occupies the entire city block.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

 

Size of site:       4.37 ac. Building size: 59,028s.f.

Projected student pop.: 400 Projected staff pop.: 34+

Parking spaces shown: 55

 

The existing Nathan Hale School was constructed in 1929 and was ranked as a Group 1 priority building (of highest historic/architectural significance) by the Cleveland Restoration Society in March 2003.  It is scheduled to be demolished to make room for the new building.  Major construction is intended to begin Spring 2008 and be completed by Fall 2009.

 

The floor plan is organized with a 2-story academic wing with a media center to the north, and the Main Entry, Gym, Music and Art Rooms and Student Dining to the south on a single story.

 

The primary façade addresses Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and has a ceremonial entry facing the street, while the primary access point is from the west, facing the parking lot in the northeast corner of the site.  The school has been shifted to the north to accommodate a large multi-purpose field on the southern third of the site.  Vehicular traffic will access the site from East 110th Street.

 

MATERIALS:  Intended to be brick masonry walls and aluminum windows, with a combination of sloped roofs and built-up low-slope roofs.

 

PRIOR ACTION:  On August 3, 2007, the Planning Commission adopted the recommendations of the Design Review Advisory Committee, which recommended

Schematic Design Approval of the proposed Nathan Hale Pre K-8 School, including placement and configuration of the building footprint on the site and the overall site layout, scale and massing of the building and general texture and design of the building facades.  This was with the understanding, however, that the sponsors must:

a. Set back the parking lot from the sidewalk to provide more space for a landscape buffer along Benham Avenue;

b. Determine a location for the sculptural owls to make sure that they are protected.

 

MODIFICATIONS TO PREVIOSLY APPROVED PLANS:  The landscape buffer was added along Benham Avenue and locations for the owl statues have been identified by the main entrances.  The second floor has been extended over the former one-story central space to create a more unified building mass with a stronger street presence along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.  The patterns of the colored brick have been simplified.

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval as presented, subject to the submission of a plant list and presentation of material and color selections.

 

 

 

 

 

4. DRC 07-055: 4092 East 146th Street, Robert Jamison K-8 School, New Construction, Final Review (CMSD/Ward 1) (From August 2, 2007) [submitted 10/15/07]

 

 

APPROVAL BEING SOUGHT:  Final approval of the project as presented.

 

LOCATION:  The Jamison K-8 Replacement School will be relocated to the site of the former Moses Cleaveland Elementary School on the south side of Harvard Avenue, between East 144th Street and East 146th Street (and bounded to the south by Ross Avenue) in the Corlett neighborhood.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

 

Size of site:     3.88 ac. Building size:   63,800 s.f. +/-

Projected student pop.: 450 Projected staff pop.: 48

Parking spaces shown: 66

 

The Moses Cleaveland School that will be demolished to clear the site was constructed in 1925 and was ranked as a Group 1 priority building (of highest historic/architectural significance) by the Cleveland Restoration Society in March 2003.  Following construction of the Jamison K-8 Replacement School, the existing Jamison School (built in 1966) at 13905 Harvard Avenue will be demolished.

 

Building Description:

The proposed school is composed of two primary elements.  The northerly element is a two story double-loaded corridor Classroom structure running east-west across the site parallel to the south side of Harvard.  To the south lie the communal spaces, including the Gym, Dining area, Media Center, Art Room, Music Room and Administration areas.  The feel of the school is low and horizontal and well suited to the character of the one and two story frame structures of this residential neighborhood. 

 

Proposed cladding materials include masonry, metal accent panels and glass curtain wall systems.

 

Parking and Traffic Flow:

The majority of students will walk to school from within the neighborhood or will arrive by private auto.  The drop-off and pick-up areas for these students are separated from the pick-up areas for those in Pre K/Kindergarten or [those] arriving via bus.  This area is located adjacent to main entrance in a manner to minimize the need for students to cross traffic paths.  The building will be served by 2-3 buses.  The drop-off area for these students is separated from private auto pick-up areas to minimize potential risk when the vehicle types are mixed.

 

Site Development:

A partially enclosed play area is located adjacent to Student Dining to allow for use by the students at or prior to lunch time.  The arrangement of this area is subdivided into a soft rubberized play area which contains the play structures and seating, and an adjacent hard surface play area for various activities.  These areas are enclosed by fencing in a manner to prevent balls from easily rolling into traffic areas, yet remain open for evening/summer use by the Community.

 

The Pre K/K Play Area is similar to the open play area above; however, the equipment is scaled for smaller children.  This area is immediately adjacent to the Pre K/K Rooms and is fully enclosed.  A gate may be provided to allow dismissal of students directly to their parents from the play area in good weather.

 

PRIOR ACTION:  On August 3, 2007, the Planning Commission adopted the recommendations of the Design Review Advisory Committee, which recommended

Schematic Design Approval of the proposed Robert Jamison K-8 School, including placement and configuration of the building footprint on the site and the overall site layout, scale and massing of the building and general texture and design of the building facades.  This was with the understanding, however, that the sponsors must:

1. Restudy the use of the large color block of blue on the façade;

2. Restudy the low-pitched gabled roof over the gym;

3. Restudy the dining room windows;

4. Consider identifying the school on Harvard Avenue.

 

MODIFICATIONS TO PREVIOSLY APPROVED PLANS:

From the submittal presented for review, it does not appear that the issues raised by the Design Review Advisory Committee and Planning Commission have been addressed.

 

According to a memo from the architect sent with the submittal, revised renderings of the building will show that the blue walls presented previously have been revised to a cast stone (concrete) product with horizontal bands of blue glazed modular brick @ 32" o.c. vertically - very subtle compared to original) and that a 7'-0” overhang has been added over the main entrance for weather protection.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  No staff recommendation can be formulated until the architect demonstrates that the issues raised by the Design Review Advisory Committee and Planning Commission have been addressed.

 

god, its going to hard to learn with the constant sunburst in the background.

 

or, it looks a bit icy in the parking lot.

The marble parking lots must be what is putting them over their construction budget...

 

I think i like the renderings...