I snapped this pic of the new Decatur High School today. Despite my Bridgeport roots that I refuse to let go of, I have to admit that place looks good.
A couple of weeks ago I overheard a guy say "A nice school sends the message that a community cares about its kids. It's a great selling point." Although statements like that normally make me roll my eyes, that one was right on point.
The location, which is clearly visible by everyone passing through on 287, is perfect.
Hey, it might have cost too much (and the late H.D. Boswell might have hated it), but it looks like a great idea right now.
.jpg)
7.06.2006
Decatur High School
I snapped this pic of the new Decatur High School today. Despite my Bridgeport roots that I refuse to let go of, I have to admit that place looks good.
A couple of weeks ago I overheard a guy say "A nice school sends the message that a community cares about its kids. It's a great selling point." Although statements like that normally make me roll my eyes, that one was right on point.
The location, which is clearly visible by everyone passing through on 287, is perfect.
Hey, it might have cost too much (and the late H.D. Boswell might have hated it), but it looks like a great idea right now.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
32 comments:
Like anything else our community leaders do, it is a waste of our money. Our community could care for our kids in a lot less elaborate, more conservative facility. It looks to me like athletics and fine arts faired well though. Every time I drive by there, I get sick at my stomach at how they wasted our money.
A school on the hill can be potentially damned. Let's take Forestburg School in Montague County, for example - fire, tornado, fire - rebuilt in the mid-90's - still standing, for now. I just wonder how many accidents will happen there on 287 now that this monstrosity is in place. What a behemoth. I'll try to Alvord it as best I can - nope, wait - I can't Alvord it, I must go thru Denton. Dammit.
I think the school looks great. Problem is, it's too much for taxpayers pocketbooks. We are NOT Southlake! I do hope the kids enjoy it, and stay proud enough of it to not trash the roadways, parking lots...like they did the previous HS. But...PORTABLES already? Come on...
and...hey...kids.... someday soon, you'll be taxpayers too, and you'll be STILL paying for this place.
I have an idea, Bridgeport taxpayers will pick up the tab on Decatur's new High School if we can even trade Henson for Story!
Any Takers?
I've never seen a building that could teach something to a kid. It's all about the kids, and it's all about the teachers. The building, as long as what you have is functional, is of no consequence. A good teacher and kids that want to learn can go sit under a shade tree for a couple hours and learn plenty.
1:27 - that was good - are we in Wise County doing with our schools like we are doing with some church denominations?
Bigger does not necessarily mean quality.
Or success.
AMEN to both Anon. 1:27am and 6:54am
8:30 pm. Since you apparently have all the answers and can make far better decisions for your city and county, why the hell don't you run for public office? Get off your ass and be productive rather than armchair quarterback those who have devoted their time and effort to the community because they do care for the betterment of the community and their children. As for the school, you should do some homework on what it costs to build a school with facilities to accomodate all groups (ag, theater, band, athletics, etc..) for a district the size of Decatur. It is certainly not extravagant on price. The original high school was built in 1972 I believe. It was past time for a new school to accomodate today's technology and growth for the district's kids.
11:06-this is going to hurt.
We could trade coaches and Decatur would still win. Because we are Decatur and thats how it is.
I keed I keed.
Let's all calm down here a little bit, no need to curse, no need to get all maddywaddy, remember we all have our right to what we believe. Isnt that what every think's?
hell with the school, have you seen the gym? its as nice as most colleges
9:47 - of course it is "about" the gym.
...and it is about money.
How many of us will PAY to see a spelling bee contest, an art contest or a music event at the school?
The sports mentality isn't going to change unless WE change it.
Until we get educators and scholastically minded folks to run for and be elected to our school boards, it'll stay the same.
I don't know about anyone else but our school taxes alone were $1500. and we live 15 miles outside of Decatur!
I agree that we needed a new high school but don't agree with the price tag.
If Decatur really cared about their kids, why are we losing so many good teachers to schools literally just down the road? When Decatur shows it cares by competing with other school districts pay for their teachers, then I might be more willing to believe they actually do care. A building shows that you care about the kids? Give me a break! Good, quality teachers that the kids can actually learn from...THAT shows you care about the kids. Oh, wait, we are talking about Decatur, where all we seem to care about is sports and coaches...
Amen 1:22pm, well said!
Yes 11:16am, our taxes were ridiculously high also and we live inside city limits. $1800.00 to be exact!
I wondered why my taxes doubled this year with no changes on our part.
You guys are bitching about the school taxes in Decatur? Please ...... I live near Paradise, not in the city limits and I pay $4,300 for school taxes. Oh, and by the way, Paradise is considered the best school in Wise County.
To 8:28:
Cussing shows that you're a really BIG person. Grow up! People can have differences of opinions and discussions without the use of profanity. MOST everyone on this blog have good points. Regarding the price tag of this school project, it could have been built nice without all the bells and whistles. I agree with others on this blog. My school taxes are too high, especially when I don't have a student going to school her.
I wonder how long it will take the kids to trash this campus like the old campus.
By the way 8:28:
I really think you're outnumbered on this issue. This issue is not the new school, as much as it is the price tag. Some people do have a hard time paying for the school taxes.
good teachers will come now that wdecatur has a nice facility for them to work in.
and stop crying about taces. we live in paradise and i paid much more than you and we dont have a new school.
be happy.
As long as that witch they call a principal is running the school district, Decatur will have problems keeping good teachers. How many supt. has she run off? And it won't be long before the current one moves on, unless some board members wake up and see what's really going on. Her mangt. is like putting paint and dressing up a termite eaten house: looks good from the outside, but is falling apart on the inside.
she might be able to do some good and keep teachers there if she actually worked once in a while. When she isnt at "important" conferences making sure her name is known in the right circles, she barely addresses any of her duties. She must be to busy nominating herself for all of those awards! Darn those applications! So time consuming!
Give it a break. The principal is excellent. How many schools in the county can boast with the student achievements in the number of areas Decatur can? The school is excellent but they do need to address the teacher pay. If this supt. leaves believe me it won't hurt the school. It appears he is so threatened by Ms. Reeves success he works to sabatoge every program that has proven results. He needs to support her rather than try to find ways to undermine her. Someone needs to tell him that when something is working you don't mess with it--example: the open campus issue...the block schedule issue. Also if you think she attends alot of conferences you should just look into the Asst. Supt of Curriculum. Her travel expenses could probably pay for a teacher or two.
And 11:28, you are obviously one of the "enablers"; you attack anyone who challenges the witch or these warm fuzzy, feel good programs you talk about. You and your small group are always after anyone who tries to make changes that the woman doesn't want. And as for recognition, lookat the names, it is always the same tired bunch, with names changing only due to those who leave. There is a storm coming, so you had better batten down the hatches and get on the right team. (reference the recent school board election)
The Decatur community decided at the ballot box to pass the bond. The decision is made, the building is standing. The old high school will be a beautiful campus for the middle school and there are many great teachers left and staying in the district. There is much to be thankful for. Just for information purposes, research does indicate that the physical plant does make a difference, as does dedicated teachers and students.
Hey,
I hate it when I have to make things up to make a point. Oh, oops, that wasn't me, that was;
Anonymous said...
I wondered why my taxes doubled this year with no changes on our part.
3:57 PM
If you did'nt make huge, big, enormous changes to your property, ther is NO WAY your taxes doubled in one year or even came anywhere close. I'll bet you have everyone waiting all the time to learn from your expertise and knowledge. Tell us more.
I am thankful that at least two people have taken interest in DISD and they have become newly elected school board members who seem to be asking everyone some very difficult questions....including the supt. THey did not sit back and complain, they ran for the board.
I've known many who run for the board, become elected, then they fall right into the same BS as the others. They believe all the BS the superintendent and all spout to them. Do school boards not realize they are lied to at times by their administrators? Do they even check on what they are being told?
Teachers are told not to talk to board members...(by admins)... that's because the teachers can tell them the superintendents are NOT TRUTHFUL! shame.. I hope the two new ones in Decatur do some things right. One: Fire the superintendent.. that title IX thing was enough to do that. Two: Follow in the firings of many other administrators in DISD. We'll see what kind of backbone they really have... or will they just be sucked in.. like the rest. Time will tell.. huh?
decatur high school is the 2nd most successfull athletic AND academic school in the state in class 3A and there are people bitching? all these accomplishments are not accidents. thank you mrs reeves and your staff for preparing our kids for all they do
You can thank the teachers for educating the students, not Mrs. Reeves or the administration.
And show me the documentation that states Decatur is the 2nd in athletics and academincs.
DISD school board meeting July 20 at 7:00pm at Central administration. Come see the two new board members in action and see for yourself that they are not getting sucked in and believing all the BS. If you have questions, just ask one of them.
And will they be following up on what they are told by the admin? Who/what will they use to do a checks and balance audit of the administration? All new board members begin full speed ahead...then, they fade... sucking sounds... sucking sounds.
I'll believe they are making a difference when I see a new administration.. after the others have been fired!
DROVES of very good teachers have left DISD in the last 8 years. Seems no one cares about that. Absolutely no one.
Post a Comment