Prosper builds HUGE high school (Dallas, Mesquite: how much, construction, high schools)

[jpeagle21]

I don't know what to think about this. Prosper built this huge high school while only having enough students to fill less than half of it. Part of me says "what a bunch of pompous elitists trying to show how much money they have." Another part says "Good for them, they have the funding and the people willing to pay for it, so why not?" Anyways, I thought it was an interesting article.

Big new high school in Prosper builds small-town pride | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by jpeagle21

I don't know what to think about this. Prosper built this huge high school while only having enough students to fill less than half of it. Part of me says "what a bunch of pompous elitists trying to show how much money they have." Another part says "Good for them, they have the funding and the people willing to pay for it, so why not?" Anyways, I thought it was an interesting article.

Big new high school in Prosper builds small-town pride | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

I lived in a town with an overbuilt high school. During the coal boom of the late 70s, they expected the school to have an enrollment of around 1000-1500. After the coal market went bust the school had around 650 students.

Some of the amenities at Prosper's new school, like the indoor practice facility for the football team, are a hideous waste of money and a prime example of misplaced priorities. There's a reason why Texas ranks near the bottom of the nation in SAT scores, and the rabid obsession with high school football is partially to blame.

[Grainraiser]

My guess is they are preparing for future growth. If the growth comes it is a smart move. If the growth does not come it's a bad move. I suspect Prosper will see a huge population growth over the next 10 years. Mesquite built a new high school 4 years ago. It's pretty large but they already have portables lined up that are being used.

[Big G]

Building a high school is a 4 or 5 year process once you take into account planning, site location, design, construction, etc.

Back up to 2004 or 2005 (or even 2007). Things were going gangbusters then in Prosper. It's easy to blame them today for not having a crystal ball!

Did they overbuild? In retrospect, yeah, but if their growth rate had continued as most people predicted, they would be right on track.

As for the indoor practice area - sure, it's overkill, but this is Texas, and Prosper intends to compete with the big boys. At least the kids won't die of heat exhaustion. Isn't this the same school that had Deion bringing in ringers from Florida for them?

[nsumner]

A big part of MicKinney feeds into Prosper ISD. I think that it's a great thing that they are doing this now...

Look what happened with Allen. Someone lacked the vision!

Naima

[kdogg817]

It looks to me that prosper is prospering.

[MaryS80]

Building a school that is too big at the moment is understandable, considering the breakneck rate of growth in the northern 'burbs. Prosper may easily be the next Frisco. The indoor practice facility does seem a bit much, but every summer at least a few young men perish practicing out in the heat. If it saves one life, and one family the grief of losing a child then it is money well spent.

[rantanamo]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

I lived in a town with an overbuilt high school. During the coal boom of the late 70s, they expected the school to have an enrollment of around 1000-1500. After the coal market went bust the school had around 650 students.

Some of the amenities at Prosper's new school, like the indoor practice facility for the football team, are a hideous waste of money and a prime example of misplaced priorities. There's a reason why Texas ranks near the bottom of the nation in SAT scores, and the rabid obsession with high school football is partially to blame.

High School football is why SAT scores are low? Is that because its causing more kids who would have otherwise not taken the SAT to take it, thus lowering the average? That's the only explanation I can think of. SAT score is a measure of kids who want to go to college and may actually speak more to income than anything else. Those with the income usually take private SAT tutoring outside of school.

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by rantanamo

High School football is why SAT scores are low? Is that because its causing more kids who would have otherwise not taken the SAT to take it, thus lowering the average? That's the only explanation I can think of.

Almost comical. If I may be so bold as to expand the Texas line of thinking without too much discomfort . . . . [take a big breath . . . here it comes . . . ]

Football is not the reason High Schools exist.

Yeah, I know, I know -- some just crazy thinking on my part, but in the higher SAT scoring portions of the world, that is how the schools actually operate -- with the role and goal being Education NOT Recreation.

Whoda thunk?

But one must have one's priorities, which produce the results.

SAT score is a measure of kids who want to go to college and may actually speak more to income than anything else. Those with the income usually take private SAT tutoring outside of school.

SAT speaks mostly to (big crazy jump here again) . . . . Education. The money buys good schools and education. Whether in the local school, out of the local school, through the local school, or in spite of it. If one has the wisdom to spend on such, that is. On the other hand if one pisses money away on other things, it produces other results.

Football Rulez! Texas -- Smart as an Ox!

[rantanamo]

If your assertion is time or money spent on football is being funneled from other education sources, then please show the board the evidence that shows this. The evidence should show that Ohio, California, Florida and Pennsylvania should all have similar scores.

You can't just make an assumption and claim it as fact without evidence.