Lindalyn,
Clearly, CMS does not care about innovation. They have rejected innovative approaches to school construction and will continue to do so.
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Chamberlain said he understands the board’s concern about construction costs, and at an upcoming work session will present a different approach to new schools: Use traditional construction for a cafeteria, media center and other core space, but use cheaper modular units for classrooms.
That would cut construction costs about 35 percent, Chamberlain said. The drawback, he said, is the classrooms would be “a little substandard.”
– Charlotte Observer, April 22, 2005
How will CMS find space for an expected enrollment surge of 53,000 kids in the next 10 years? “Everything will be on the table,” said Associate Superintendent Guy Chamberlain…
Chamberlain and Haithcock insisted Wednesday that the district is serious about rethinking its approach to construction. But they cautioned that they’ve already studied many popular ideas, including modular classrooms and converting stores to schools, and found problems.
“Everybody thinks they’ve got this great idea: Convert a Wal-Mart, or do public-private partnerships,” Chamberlain said. “It’s all smoke and mirrors.”
– Charlotte Observer, November 17, 2005
Guy Chamberlain, the CMS associate superintendent who oversees school construction, said he has hired an architect to determine whether converting buildings into schools in the northern part of the county makes financial sense.
– Charlotte Observer, December 9, 2005
Guy Chamberlain, the CMS official who oversees school construction, says CMS’s planning has improved dramatically, and the school system has gotten much better at projecting where in the county new students will be. Also, schools actively look for ways to work with other public agencies and share land and buildings.
Chamberlain said he’s willing to evaluate all options, but the expertise of his 34-person operation would be difficult to replicate, and he doesn’t think the school board would want to relinquish control of school construction.
– Charlotte Observer, January 22, 2006
