Rob Scofield’s latest essay claimed that I called for, “cheaper construction practices that de-emphasize public space and extracurricular activities and promote the idea of schools as little more than education factories.” (I prefer “education assembly lines,” but I am flexible on the matter.)
I assume that “public space” refers to my recommendation to build larger schools on less land. I have found no research studies that find that smaller lots discourage extracurricular activities, but if Mr. Scofield has access to research on the subject, I would surely like to read it. I really do not know what “pubic space” is, but it sounds expensive.
Last year, two independent consultants were hired by Wake County to compare Wake’s school construction standards and costs to similar school systems in North Carolina and four other states. Their report, just released on Wednesday, echoed many of the recommendations contained in my policy report on school construction in Wake County and they are even applicable to my earlier report on school construction in Mecklenburg County.
For example, the consultants agreed that Wake County should implement the following measures:
1. Reduce square footage for media centers;
2. Build auditerias or cafetoriums rather than separate auditoriums, cafeterias, and gymnasiums;
3. Use more shared school sites;
4. Do a better job assessing the costs related to developing school sites;
5. Value engineer buildings; and
6. Emphasize and encourage competition in the construction market.
The report also found that Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools have one of the best school construction programs in the state, which I pointed out in a report last year.
Then again, who needs research when you spend all of your time thinking up new dysphemisms to earn “street cred” with your fellow statists?
