There was a public hearing Friday on the building plans of the new Harrison School. I couldn’t stay for the whole hearing, but I did get a little video to share of the presentation by Dave Henebry of LZT Associates (architects):
By the way, if you’re wondering why everything looks yellow, it’s not because the camera wasn’t white balanced. It’s because everything really looked yellow in the gymnasium where this hearing was held. The hearing was attended by about 28 people, including several District 150 administrators, teachers, custodians, a couple of city employees, and city councilman Clyde Gulley.
District 150 Superintendent Ken Hinton gushed that this would be a “world class school” and that “people from all over the world will be coming” to see it. It will be patterned after the Valeska-Hinton Early Learning Center.
In addition to what he said in the video above, Henebry also stated that the building materials will be load-bearing masonry with brick veneer, and that the reason the school is set so far back from the street is for security purposes. There will also be no fence along Griswold to keep people out of the “park-like setting.” Hinton would like that area to be able to be used by the surrounding neighborhoods as a community center.
There’s a public hearing for the new Glen Oak School today at 1:00. The hearing will be held at 809 East Frye Avenue, in the current Glen Oak School building. As someone has already pointed out, these “hearings” are really just “show and tell” sessions. All decisions have been made, and nothing will be changed as a result of community input at this point. But if you’re just looking for information, stop by and see the show.
My security reservations about the plan still apply then–especially since there will be no fence and the whole neighborhood will be invited in. As least, Valeska has a fence. Another concern I have about the park-like setting: the district can’t afford to pay for its “indoor” custodians, so how can they pay for all this outdoor landscaping, etc., at Harrison and Glen Oak–and, I guess, at Manual since they have planted all the new trees and shrubs. Hinton is tauting another world reknowned District #150 school–imagine that. That reminds me of a bit of Manual humor. Farkhash’s stationery described Manual as “the best kept secret in town.” When we first made the NCLB watch list, one of our teachers equipped that “it isn’t a secret any more.”
I plan to attend the hearing at Glen Oak I will get there late (2pm) Hope it is not to late.
People coming from the world over to kick it in the Harrison? lol.
The fence thing… the times I have gone by the Valeska Hinton when the kids are there, there would people dozens of people hanging out by the fence ‘outside’ of the school yard. Those people would be talking to the kids. I hope its their parents….
Touting–not tauting–hate to waste space with grammar, etc.–but for Emtronics sake, I have to confess to my own error that I just discovered–before anyone else could embarrass me.
Sharon, you are safe. I would only do that to someone who rides my a$$ non-stop.
I hope it’s all in fun–with you fellow bloggers. I pick up all my #150 info Wednesday for about $100–I hope it’s worth it–I think it will be.
White balance in the light your shooting in. Pre-set whitebalances or white balancing in a light source different than that in the gym will get you the yellow or orange color. I’ve shot in those gyms many times. They got those crappy 2.1k bulbs that make shooting a pain in the ass until you figure out how to do it.
I find it very interesting that District 150 (due to Hinton wanting her) hired Dr. Helm as a consultant on this project. There are many people in the district with doctoral degrees along with the building and grounds employees that can “consult” about lighting etc. in buildings.
Also in Sunday’s PJS in the real estate transactions, it was revealed the district bought property at 2022 N. Wisconsin for $150,000.00. When will the board stop this madness?
When Hinton is gone…. Cahill is gone…. Gorenz is gone….
Anyone else?
Wolfmeyer and Spangler.
Not necessarily — unless they are replaced with persons with a different mindset — inclusive community builders for starters ……
I certainly agreed with today’s PJS editorial–just honesty would be a great start. The district has problems for which there is no miracle cure, yet they keep promising that new buildings and lots of green space will magically change test scores. A lot of money is spent on these miracle cures. I haven’t totally verified the latest Manual rumor, but I’ll pass it on. Teachers will be team teaching–and there will be no separate classes for Special Ed students (and remember that all non-rigorous courses are being thrown out and rumor has it that most classes will be enriched). Anyway, from what I hear, one of Manual’s former English teachers and one of Manual’s former Special Ed teams will be teaching together all day.
The special ed department should be investigated. Crazy things are happening in the whole special ed department. Oh, but wait, a professor from ISU is running it,so is must be okay. Riiight. Another foolish mistake by Hinton and the board. Just wait.
God Bless the District 150 school board! At least They’re trying to help Peoria’s public schools. The rest of YOU troublemakers, just, complain and spread animosity. AS IF ANY OF YOU COULD DO ANY BETTER! Have You no Shame?
BEWARE! One day, YOUR actions will come back to haunt You.
” That which one sows, one reaps! ” – Jesus Christ
Dear PEORIA:
If you are going to quote itinerant Jewish Rabbis, how about this one?
“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
What you call “trying to help Peoria Public Schools”, I call trying to help the bureaucracy of The Peoria Public School District 150. The best thing we can do for Peoria Schools is not buildings.
If we don’t throw lots of money into the problem, and give them shiny new “things” that they can see and touch, how will anyone believe that we are trying ?