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REGULAR MEETINGOCTOBER 8, 2007 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />She stated that the Council understands the importance of education for the City and that <br />without schools and an excellent educational system this City will falter. The SBCSC <br />understands that is a two-way relationship and that they need the City also. This issue <br />may have a good outcome that brings the two elected bodies together to work and <br />collaborate in the best interest of the kids. The SBCSC’s main responsibility is the <br />students’ education and the financial health of the educational system. A way to do that <br />is to attract new parents into the systems and retaining those currently in the system. For <br />many parents it is not the age of a building that draws them to a system, it isn’t the age of <br />a building that keeps them here. When she decided on a school system for her children it <br />was not based on the age of the school buildings, she based it on how good the program <br />was. The Montessori grant allows for the exciting opportunity to create at Marquette <br />School a program full of challenging, wonderful educational promise for the students. <br />She believes that it needs the best housing possible, the housing that allows the <br />classrooms to be the right size and configuration for a Montessori Program. She noted <br />that Montessori could be taught in any size building. They don’t want to teach it in a <br />slum. Just because it originated there doesn’t mean that is still their vision. Schools in <br />the United States originated in a one room school houses. Some of those should be <br />maintained, however we would not continue to teach children in them today. The <br />Montessori program calls for specifications that are more ample and more in line with <br />current educational standards of excellence. An example is that educational research <br />indicates that young children learn best when they are actively engaged. For that the <br />rooms need to be somewhat larger. Additionally, the best Montessori programs have <br />entrance from the classroom to the outside. When the Council is deciding on making the <br />project green, that is part of the environment of a Montessori classroom is the <br />surrounding area. A new building suitable for Montessori would be on down the line <br />more suitable for a traditional or maybe even a new program as well. By giving <br />landmark status to Marquette would put constraints on how to configure that building for <br />ever. Architects have pointed out that renovation does not always allow for the most <br />efficient use of space and that renovated buildings end up being larger than necessary, <br />thus ending in increased cost for utilities. This is the time that everyone needs to be <br />mindful of every penny going into the budget. If the SBCSC wants to remain <br />competitive and provide the best education for children there needs to be flexibility. <br />There needs to be flexibility in education and have buildings that are flexible. Buildings <br />should serve children and not the other way around. <br /> <br />th <br />Mr. Gary Stokes, 626 S. 26 Street, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this bill. <br />He stated that this Council is a very diverse, intelligent group of individuals. Mr. Stokes <br />stated that he attended Studebaker School. This issue is like dejavu for him and his <br />siblings. They attended the old Studebaker School while the new building was being <br />built back in the 1960’s. He stated that there were very good teachers at Studebaker, <br />however the building was very depressing. When the new school opened the children <br />that attended were enlightened and ignited with a spark to learn. He stated that he <br />worked at Marquette last year, he had the opportunity to take a new job at the new <br />Harrison School and it has been a blessing. He stated that it was hard to leave Marquette <br />and all the great kids. These kids deserve a new building. Mr. Stokes urged the Council <br />to vote against the landmarking of Marquette. <br /> <br />In Rebuttal Mr. Latoza stated it really takes a lot of time when they look at older <br />buildings, they get up close and really look at them. They make roof tops sustainable <br />and green. The issue of ADA accessibility can be made completely. New lighting, new <br />floors, fully HVAC, and wired for the latest state of the art computer technology. <br />Existing bathrooms can be fully ADA compliant and as nice as any new building. <br />Mechanical systems can be upgraded. Windows, masonry, and doors all can be <br />rehabbed. Mr. Latoza stated that he has some of the same pictures of Marquette school as <br />Mr. Strauss and they were taken back in May of 2007. Those items are still in the same <br />condition today. Old buildings down just break down, they break down because they are <br />not taken care of and that is solely the fiduciary responsibility on the part of the SBCSC. <br /> <br />Councilmember Puzzello questioned where the children would be attending school while <br />the new school is being built. <br /> <br /> 19 <br /> <br />