My wife went to Emerson Junior High; the "old" Emerson, that concrete block building sprawling at the prime real estate location of 5th and B. That place has got to be at least 50 years old, I'm guessing. When the new Korematsu Elementary was sitting unused for a year, there was a proposal to move the district offices from the "Old Emerson". It is time to re-visit that idea. Here are some reasons why:
1) It is a lot less disruptive to the educational process to move the district administrative offices, than it is to lay off teachers and re-shuffle the rest among the remaining schools.
2) This idea will buy time for our district to see how the budget crisis plays out. It will also give our community time to step up with creative ideas to save what this well-educated community treasures, such as the music programs, and libraries with librarians.
3) Think in terms of abundance. We have unused and under-utilized resources. Re-establish a Best Use of Land and Facilities Task Force. The Grande Elementary site is like money in the bank, with no use for it in sight, to my knowledge. The Valley Oak site on 8th Street might be well suited as a new location for the District offices. I'm sure local developers could give an estimate of what the land at 5th and B might be worth. Sure seems like a prime location for re-development to me
4) Unlike at the elementary level, no one is claiming we have excess capacity at the Junior High level. All 3 junior highs are still teaching in portables. The reason Harper was built was to relieve crowding at the junior high level. So now it is a good idea to re-establish two 1,000 student junior highs only 2.2 miles apart from each other serving one side of town?
5) Much is made of the expense of modernizing Emerson. Emerson isn't falling down. An architect recently stated it looks structurally sound to him. We have been upgraded over the years. The gym has a beautiful new wood floor. The A/C system of self-contained units works much better than the original central air conditioning system. We just got new carpet, wall board, and paint. The school is quite attractive, with well-established gardens and landscape, and public art created over time.
6) Close the "new" Emerson, and you might as well re-name it the Westside Skateboarding and Climbing Structure. It will take a 24 hour guard to keep it from burning down or having kids falling off the roof.
7) With the construction down-turn, it will be less expensive to accomplish the minimum modernization our school deserves. I heard on the news that Modesto High School is just starting a $14 million modernization because the funds are available from a different part of the state budget. Why do we in Davis think we need to close a school instead? Hire some local contractors and "git 'er done".
8) I've been teaching at Emerson for nearly 20 years. I sense our school is performing at a higher level now than ever. We can't let a perceived "quick fix" to an uncertain budget situation destroy Emerson or the district-wide programs. You've got to look at our API scores, for example. Emerson accomplishes its mission on so many levels with a culture it has taken almost 30 years to develop. For example, what explains the highest test scores with some of our student population choosing to go elsewhere for self-contained GATE? Check out the quality of the Emerson art, athletics, drama, peer helping, band, leadership, recycling, school-wide discipline programs, and entire grade level field trips, among others. There are advantages to being a little smaller.
9) I've decided to support Jamie Boston's long walk. I realized all it would take is for my wife and me to give up the $3 nightly bottle of wine we share, for the approximately 122 days before the 2008-9 school year begins. That amounts to $366 (Leap Year). We will toast to the health and longevity of our Davis teachers, programs, and the "new" Emerson, with tea!
Gary SlizeskiScience Teacher
Emerson Junior High DJUSD
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