Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2012)
Figure 1. 4J Facilities Plan Cost Comparison ($) Curricular Choices Advocates of large schools falsely claim that such schools give students more curricular choices. In an extensive study, University of Missouri scholar John Slate found, “Increasing school size, especially beyond 400 students, does not typically result in a large increase in curricular choices.” Environmental Performance One fi nal problem with large schools is that they cannot effectively operate as neighborhood schools to which most students can walk and in which the school becomes a center of community life. Bigger schools draw students from a much wider geographical area, which generally means more students are driven or bused to school. If the 4J plan proceeds and consolidates Edison at Camas Ridge, for example, roughly half of Edison children will not be able to walk or bike to school anymore. The distance will simply be too far. In this era of skyrocketing childhood obesity and climate change concerns, schools should be looking for ways to increase walking and biking rather than becoming part of the problem. Less walking and biking will mean more driving, increased carbon emissions, more asthma-inducing air pollutants and heavier children. * Jefferson/ATA and North Eugene include partial remodeling costs Figure 2. Repair as Percentage of Replacement Cost (%) A Different Path MARK GILLEM In 2011, Eugene voters approved Measure 20-183 to fund $70 million in repairs to schools across the district. The funds will fi x the very problems that have been identifi ed in the 2012 report, including major system repairs and replacements, SUSHI SEOUL FUN! WITH A SPLASH OF CONFIDENCE SWIM LESSONS Small group lessons focusing on strokes, safety and self-confi dence Swim Lessons & Life Lessons at your Y! Registering ages 6 months and older now for: July 30 - August 9 • August 13- August 23 • August 13- August 23 HIP HOP HURRAY HEALTH & WELLNESS Hip-Hop Dance Classes Beginning / Intermediate Hip Hop with Johawk This high energy dance class combines R&B, body isolations, ground work and basic jazz inspired movements along with some of your own fl avor and personal style. • Saturdays, 2-3:15pm (July 21, 28, August 4,11) • $45 for 4 classes / Members • $50 for 4 classes / Potential Members • Space is limited, so make sure to sign-up in advance. EUGENE FAMILY YMCA 2055 Patterson Street, Eugene • 541 686 9622 • eugeneymca.org WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM additions and remodels and technology upgrades. Unfortunately, schools now slated for demolition or abandonment were part of the sales pitch for last year’s bond. For example, Edison was to be allocated $900,000 to upgrade its kitchen and staff offi ces. This is one reason why I voted for that bond measure. So last year the district thought these types of problems could be addressed with sensible repairs. But this year, the district thinks these problems justify demolition and abandonment of eight buildings. The recommendations were clearly driven by the consultant’s fl awed mathematical model and the new superintendent’s desire to make a quick change rather than by a well- conceived, community-based process. In advocating for the 2011 bond, former Eugene School Board member Eric Forrest wrote, “Refl ecting the times we’re in, this isn’t a sweeping grand plan to add spanking new buildings … Rather, it’s a responsible, prudent measure that does what every single one of us knows makes the most business sense — taking care of what we have so that future, more costly repair or replacement costs are deferred or avoided altogether.” That is the kind of thinking 4J needs now. Given the mountain of evidence in support of small schools, the substantial cost premium for new buildings and the relatively minor upgrades that 4J schools actually need, the case for repair over replacement and consolidation is easy to make. ew Mark L. Gillem, Ph.D. (mark@uoregon.edu) is a licensed architect in California and a certifi ed planner on the faculty of the UO. He also advises the U.S. government on planning and design education. SUMMER LUNCH SPECIAL TASTY & MOST AFFORDABLE PRICES IN EUGENE SERVING SUSHI, TERIYAKI, FRESH GRILLED SEAFOOD, KOREAN FOOD & BUBBLE TEA BENTO BOX 95 4 $ KARAOKE AVAILABLE AT NIGHTTIME BY RESERVATION REG. $10.95 12PM-2:30PM 2532 Willakenzie Eugene across from Sheldon HS | 342-6861 | 10am - 11pm Daily D ONALD D EXTER J R DMD LLC DENTISTRY "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Invest in your health, the returns are abundant. 2233 W ILLAMETTE S T , B LDG B • 541-485-6644 w w w. d r d e x t e r. c o m EUGENE WEEKLY JULY 19, 2012 13
