There has been a good deal of debate over suggestions that the proposed plans to add a second building to the Leopold School site would create a "megaschool" of undesirable proportions. Arguing that 'everyone' knew that the physically linked (MMSD calls it 'paired') schools would have a combined enrollment of more than 1100 students, proponents of the administration's plan are confident that a school this size would have no additional challenges or needs. The idea that the addition should be built but for a smaller number of students is considered heresy by those who fear critical assessment of administration ideas.
Anyone who is interested in the debate - pro, con, apathetic - will benefit from taking a close look at the schematics for the addition, which are available on-line at:
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/boe/longrange/20050124/item04a.pdf
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/boe/longrange/20050124/item04b.pdf
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/boe/longrange/20050124/item04c.pdf
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/boe/longrange/20050124/item04d.pdf
Of particular interest is the size/layout of the cafeteria(s) [one room separated by a folding divider], the number of ESL class rooms for a school that can be expected to have 250 - 300 ESL students, and the size/location of the playground space, parking lots, and school bus drop off/pick up locations.
Lucy,
Thank you for posting the drawings of the Leopold building project and pointing out some areas for investigation.
Maybe you can answer a couple of questions or get the answers from the school district.
How long will the students have to eat lunch? Will all 1,100 children eat lunch at the same time? I wonder whether it's possible to move that many children through the cafeteria in the time scheduled for lunch.
How much space is planned for the playground? I think that I can see two "play areas" when I enlarge the drawings. One appears to be across the looped drive way next to a soccer field, and the other appears to be next to the existing building. Are both to be used for recesses? How many square feet do they include, and how does that size compare to playground space at other schools? It seems that the space might be too small for 1,100 children.
Ed Blume