| Archive for lebanon.myfastforum.org City of Lebanon's Public Forum |
| ski4fun1 |
Opposing the new Junior HighDoes anyone oppose the new Junior High? I do for reasons of cost analysis, poor planning, flawed/incorrect data, property tax increase, current state of economy, and concerns about comments from the superintendent when I met with him and one of the school board members last spring.Let me know if you have similar concerns or other concerns. Thanks |
| Thomas |
Morning ski4fun1.
I also share your concerns...to many gray areas need to be define. |
| ski4fun1 |
Junior HighHi Thomas,I agree, too many areas have been brushed over or quickly thrown together. Last spring the sprinkler system upgrade was going to be several million dollars, suddenly, this summer when it was needed the cost was several hundred thousand dollars. That just seems like someone did not want to try that alternative and gave the estimate a high number to discourage support. Another thing that concerns me is that the 7th and 8th grade has 300 students with declining enrollment. The Junior High will be built for 400 students. The school board want the state funds to help pay for almost half of the cost. The state will not give matching funds unless the school meets a list of criteria. One criterion being at a minimum, the school must hold 400 students. Also, why does the school need a seperate gymnasium and cafeteria? Can't the same floor space be used for both? At lunch time, no one is in gym class and during the day, no one is in the cafeteria. Why not maximize the usage of this area? The bleachers proposed for the gymnasium would hold 400 people. Why? Can't chairs be put up and taken down for assemblies and stage performances? If there are not even 400 students, what function in the gymnasium is going to require 400 bleacher seats? Is anybody organized against this or does anyone want to organize against the proposal? |
| Thomas |
Morning ski4fun1.
Times they are chancing,and maybe City of Lebanon should slow down and take harder look and bite the bullet as they say,for US is in trouble and effects will trikle down to towns/cities which means more burden on the tax payers. Jr. High Schoo...yes the Jr.H.S. in need of major over haul maybe do to the lack of some not paying close attendion over the years,sooo take Jr. H.S. down and rebuild but increase the square which will not over burden the tax payers....maybe a watch dog group if you will which will have members that never serve on any Lebanon boards keep eye on all projects. It's time the City of Lebanon started watching there pennies,as the old saying goes..."You watch your pennies the dollars will take care of themselves" |
| ski4fun1 |
Another Problem for the Junior HighHi Thomas and anyone else who might read this,The school board ran into another problem concerning a 44-year old deed for the proposed sight of the playing fields. How many more surprises will this community need before they realize that the superintendent and the board don't have all the facts and haven't done thorough research? I new, shiny school looks great, but when the economy and financial wellness seems to be struggling, cost effective repairs are much more practical. |
| ski4fun1 |
School Board MeetingTonight the School Board is having a special meeting with the City Council. Everyone who cares how their taxes are raised and used should attend. |
| matthewota |
After seeing the dilapidated condition of the Jr high school in Lebanon, I support the move to build a new one. A pleasant learning environment will help the students.
I know there is a weak tax base in New Hampshire due to the lack of a state income tax. Perhaps some federal money can be garnered to help. |
| ski4fun1 |
New schoolI can entertain the idea that a new school is needed. However, a hurried plan which depends upon state money for matching funds is foolish. The superintendent was just quoted in the Valley News admitting that it is less likely state funds will be available.The federal government cannot appropriate funding for specific schools or specific states. The federal government can create education bills to give states more money, but in the end, the individual states portion out the money. |
| Thomas |
After watching school board on tv the other night all I can say. 
If the superintendent can't get facts on such events also board members than maybe they should bow out...and this also goes for other boards in Lebanon. Maybe it's time City of Lebanon realize this isn't Hanover/Dartmouth College,and many...many are tried of paying high taxes to keep up w/the Jones. I feel what this City needs is a hard @ss...yes that's right crack the whip and if it stings all well,someone that will stand up and say NO!!! Stop this everytime person/persons has idea we the tax payers spend $$'s researching,and make the board members more countable for there actions,so when they make mistakes which will cost tax payers $$'s have there insurance policy pay...hmmm that's idea have all board members show proof of insurance. Sorry folks but the hand writting on the wall,time to tighten the belt or have our taxes go up 25% to 40% as some of the towns in New Hampshire facing now. |
| lebman5 |
Don't worry. You'll get the chance to vote it down for the 4th time in March 2010. Tell all your friends. |
| Connie Kroner |
I am 100% against it for many reasons. One, Harris and the board never seem to do their "homework." Flooding their neighbors on Hanover Street and then having to go to court AGAIN about the Mouton property are just two of the problems with administration. Every time we turn around we're paying for lawyers because Harris isn't doing his job. Neither is his board apparently. Also, I was appalled to see that they are still using the Pathways engineers. Those are the same ones that caused the lawsuit (which they lost) at the high school. If there is anyone who doesn't know their heads from a hole in the ground about water flow it is them. AND..... the "new" junior high site has wetlands also, swell. Further it would create even MORE sprawl. Also, reading Mr. Harris' blurb in the shool news, the junior high has a current enrollment of 310. The new junior high (when they were only counting on 7th and 8th graders) was designed for 600! We have declining enrollment and they want double the space! I think it is time for a new school administration. And soon. |
| CityMouse448 |
Opposing the Jr. HighI'm glad you mentioned the recent court case in which the Lebanon School District was involved. Have you had a chance to read the transcript? It's available online at:http://www.sau88.net/Pages/Lebano...g/buildingproject/CourtRuling.pdf The transcript shows that an Individual was ready to buy the property for $120,000, but the Developer sold the property to the School District instead for over ONE MILLION dollars. One thing that wasn't mentioned was the fact that the Individual is the brother-in-law of the Developer. Also, the Developer's Sister (who's married to the Individual), is also a principal partner in the Architectural Firm that the School District hired to draw up the plans for the new middle school. The new plans for the 4 "options" that the Architectural Firm recently created for the School District have a price tag between $24 and $29 million dollars. The plans are online at: http://www.sau88.net/Pages/LebanonNH_DISTplanning/lmspages And one more thing: in November of 2008 the Sister, acting as a representative of the Architectural Firm, wrote a letter to the Lebanon City Planner on behalf of her brother's development company's project on Route 4. http://lebanonnh.virtualtownhall....s/LebanonNH_agendas/old%20agendas /Planning%20Board/2008%Meetings/PB-2008-12-08/4BM&M_120808.pdf (minutes of the December 8, 2008 Planning Board meeting on the City website) The development project was never completed, and the Development company declared bankruptcy in July 2009. I also read through the minutes of the School Board meetings for 2008 and 2009 looking for any references to a connection between the Developer and the Architectural Firm. I found no evidence that the School Board disclosed this information to the public. |
| MorseR |
Thorough ResearchThis wouldn't even be discussed if Lebanon knew how to research their projects thoroughly before bringing to the tax payers. Just check out the 12A plans, to me that's a farce!!! |
| Thomas |
Evening CityMouse448.
Thank you for sharing. 
..my..my
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| lebman5 |
And we're supposed to hand over $25 million dollars? Thanks, City Mouse448! The more we know, the more we can vote responsibly in March. A lot of residents last March did not realize that a vote for the budget last year resulted in putting portables in the front yard of Seminary Hill School. |