WPCNR CitizeNetReporter Poll. November 20, 2006: The school district is embarking on a $69.6 Million capital improvements project as a result of the October 17 Bond Referendum which was narrowly passed. A consultant is now organizing a series of interactions with the community, the school district administration and the school board to determine district strategic strategies for the next 15 years. WPCNR has identified a number of issues at the right that Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains might want their school district to consider.  Please make your choices known by voting your choice of priorities at the right.

Here's some definitions:

TEST to ID Early Basic Skills, Early Remediation: The district is moving to learn finally longitudinal studies of elementary and middle school achievement test results using BOCES Data Warehouse system. This week students are taking sample math tests to judge their skill levels.The remediation techniques though remain to be seen. The system worked at Ridgeway last year. Is this a priority to you?

SEEK CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OF PROGRAMS: Should the district enlist the financial help of local businesses in form of grants/services to pay down the cost of academic programs in English, Math, Social Studies, Science.

Efficient Trim of Adminstrative/Academic Staffs: The School District budget is growing at a 7% rate a year without inflation. Should the staff be culled? Studies done examining their efficiency?

INTRODUCE BILINGUAL INSTRUCTION, MINORITY INSTRUCTORS TO ADDRESS HISPANIC GROWTH: The district enrollment is 44% Hispanic as of the figures released last week. Should the district go to English instruction that is bilingual in model to aid Hispanics? Should this be examined?

Examine Salary/Benefit Options, Trim 7% Growth. The largest portion of the budget is made up by salaries with a very generous step and benefit schedule. Should the district renegotiate this with the unions vigorously?

Develop Assessment/Certiorari  Drain Attack Plan: The city property assessment roles continue to dwindle and the city continues to approve certiorari settlements with little backbone. Should the school district be more aggressive in fighting these with the city -- via imposing creative penalties to recoup certiorari losses.

Return to "Neighborhood Schools" to Trim Bus $$: To achieve integration of schools the School District buses students from one end of the city to the other to its five elementary schools. Should this be reexamined in light of the new demographics where Hispanics lead in population, whites are second and African-Americans third? Is this something the district should consider?

Institute Security Systems/Metal Detectors All Schools: Expensive, but there is no weapons detection or efficient television monitoring systems in the White Plains Schools that we are aware of. Should the district invest in this to eliminate knives, guns, etc. from coming into the schools?

Build Field House/Pool/ Performance Center.: The auditoriums of all the elementary schools and both middle schools are a disgrace. Poor sound systems, dingy, decrepit. The White Plains high Auditorium has hideous site lines no production values -- not even a curtain that is used. The White Plains High School Gymnasium is not fan-friendly, the locker rooms are now going to be renovated for an inadequate facility that is poorly secured. Should the district partner for a field house-pool as well as a performance center for the district?

Timing/Strategies for  New Elementary, Middle School, H.S. Expansion.: At $38 Million for a new Elementary School at Post Road -- the district is looking at two similarly aged buildings: Highlands and Eastview, as well as continued use of Rochambeau and Mamamaroneck Avenue School and George Washington-- three similar oldies. The present capital plan not withstanding -- the district has to plan to replace these buildings (build one new middleschool for 1,500 students), and replace GW, MAS, and Rochambeau,  if they use the logic employed in creating the present capital plan, let alone the overcrowding of the high school (now at 2,000 students--and packed).  Is this an issue the school district should plan for now?

Achieve Curriculum Stability: The curriculum for the various academic fields has been tinkered with every year. Resulting in different accents on what you teach each year. Does this concern you

Establish Capital Cost/Financing Review Board: A committee of persons passed judgment on $69.6 Million of capital expenditures which were presented to the public. However the committee consisted of persons for the most part lightweights in construction of schools, buildings and current costs. Should the District establish a standing, independent paid review board of construction experts, engineers and consultants to review future capital plans for accuracy and efficiency. Should a finance committee of similar independent experts also be formed to suggest intelligenct financial strategies to pay for district needs in the best interest of the taxpayers.