Overcrowding reaching critical point in Tahoma School District

rhpsislove said on January 16, 2012 at 6:53 PM

I also think that they should really look over their budget more closely. There is a lot of frivolous spending that could be used to build more buildings in the schools and bring in portables that aren't infested with rats and fleas and perhaps some that are safe so that another teacher doesn't fall through their porch. The ASB and Leadership at the school spend way too much money on having a million different dances each year and holding a school wide coronation for homecoming so that we can all see the biggest popularity contest of homecoming queen and king take place. All the money is there, it is just not being spent wisely.

rhpsislove said on January 16, 2012 at 6:49 PM

As a current student in the Tahoma school district, I know personally how bad the overcrowding has gotten. However, if people don't want the bond to pass, you really have no right to complain about any of the solutions. Yes, music and PE classes are important to have, but essential? No. Getting rid of computer labs isn't all that bad either, most of the families in the district are upper middle class and can afford to have their own computers and or laptops at home. In fact, the High School encourages bringing technology into the class to help with "21st Century Learning". Now having shifts might be a little extreme just due to the fact that they will then have to cut a lot of extra curriculars but that just goes back to the upper middle class citizens of Maple Valley not allowing the bond to pass.

flizzix said on December 20, 2011 at 11:36 PM

Was definantly just in that video for a brief moment blue shirt for like a second

dkjamerican said on December 16, 2011 at 5:59 PM

Easy to pass bonds & vote to increase taxes when one doesn't have to pay any.

elbegewa said on December 16, 2011 at 12:37 PM

In the late 50's & 60's the baby boom was hitting schools and causing overcrowding. The temporary solution at my schools: semi-double shifting ... having 1/2 the students start an hour or 2 earlier, the others staying an hour or 2 later. Teachers hours were staggered too, and 1 or 2 hours per day were extended luch houts or study hour or, for elementray school, extended recess to level the peaks of demand for staff and classroom

Cougsrback said on December 16, 2011 at 11:36 AM

ScottG apparently has no knowledge of the situation in the Tahoma School District or how Washington schools are funded. Planning has been in place for some time. Unfortunately, voters are in no mood to approve property taxes to pay for additional facilities. Existing property taxes are not sufficient to build more schools. Those taxes pay for operations and a bond that was approved in 1997. Since then, the school district has grown significantly and is again in need of more classrooms. This district has stretched its resources to the maximum and has made good use of tax dollars. Until voters approve a bond measure there are very limited options to deal with the overcrowding.

aziza said on December 15, 2011 at 4:39 PM

None of the suggested remedies in the article are good. Who can teach a class in a gymnasium alongside all of the other classes? It'll be a loud booming mess! And lease out retail space or church space? How do the kids get there? Online classes? There we go, using technology as a babysitter- no different than using the television. Eliminate computer labs and music rooms? That's great, music is a required subject in the K-6. Year round school and shifts? I'm all for year round school, but shifts? What about kids that wish to participate in after school activities? Meals? Cafeteria staff? Whose going to pay the extra salary for the staff and facilities? Coach stipends and transportation? Delivery of food items? Maintenance and extra support staff? Utilities and heating for longer days? Its still going to cost no matter what.

ScottG said on December 15, 2011 at 3:17 PM

Planning should have taken place years ago not after the fact. Building a new school will not fix the immediate situation. To determine if a new building is need enrollment must be analyzed at the elementary level along with community growth expectations both of which I suspect have balanced off with the current economic conditions. Poor planning and budgeting by administrators is apparent. Development has nothing to do with the problem and should be encouraged not discouraged. Property taxes pay for schools. New development increases property value and this equates to higher taxes and a larger base. There are several good suggestion utilizing existing resources and technology. Throwing more money at the problem will not solve it and enough money is already provided. If more money was provided you can be assured we would be having the same discussion several years from now. Just look at the past ten years. It’s time we take a more sensible and economical approach.

puddlebubbles said on December 15, 2011 at 1:23 PM

UUhg! To many people.

kanajune said on December 15, 2011 at 9:50 AM

Irresponsible and unchecked development helped lead to this mess, and if current developers get their way it will only get worse. No one should be allowed to build homes in an area without addressing the school and services issue. No one!

martyb7264773546 said on December 15, 2011 at 9:08 AM

The "Why" of the story was forgotten here. "Why" has the enrollment increased so much?

baristababy said on December 15, 2011 at 8:30 AM

I sure hope they can figure things out. I hope this isn't affecting the student's learning too terribly much!

bazwest said on December 15, 2011 at 8:23 AM

Keep thinking Tahoma. You can figure this out. Year round school and double shifts sounds like a great idea. Better use of the existing facilities is the way to go.