America's Most Expensive Public School

[Fontucky]

All those who enjoyed at least one cocktail in the Cocoanut Grove bar, raise your paw.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by californio sur

The high school was built on grounds of the old Ambassador Hotel\ Coconut Grove and some of the original buildings are being used for the school. I've driven by the high school and, of-course, it is beautiful but the entire project was approved by the voters.

I'm fairly certain that the voters didn't know they were approving a $578M high school. Most of the funds were part of a $20B bond package passed years ago. The project cost far more than originally expected. The site by nature of its history carried huge costs and risks - all of which were realized.

It is interesting that the article below says LAUSD completed three campuses since 2008 that cost almost $1.2 billion. That money could have built 12 $100M campuses instead.

LA Unveils $578 Million School, Costliest In The Nation

[smokingGun]

Honestly I don't know how LAUSD school board members can live with themselves knowing that they've spent half a BILLION dollars on one project when you have kids who don't have basic necessities like paper, pencils, calculators, or even a proper breakfast. Instead of buying a prime site like the Ambassador Hotel & throwing tens of millions down the hole to make it environmentally suitable for kids, why didn't they just remodel existing elementary & middle schools, converting them to multi-story buildings? Maybe it's not as aesthetically pleasing but when tax dollars are at stake, function is paramount, not form.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by smokingGun

Honestly I don't know how LAUSD school board members can live with themselves knowing that they've spent half a BILLION dollars on one project when you have kids who don't have basic necessities like paper, pencils, calculators, or even a proper breakfast. Instead of buying a prime site like the Ambassador Hotel & throwing tens of millions down the hole to make it environmentally suitable for kids, why didn't they just remodel existing elementary & middle schools, converting them to multi-story buildings? Maybe it's not as aesthetically pleasing but when tax dollars are at stake, function is paramount, not form.

But in the warped minds of many LAUSD appearance is everything! This school makes perfect sense to them - a really cool looking crowning achievement. Whether the kids actually have enough teachers, books, supplies, food, etc... are all much lower on totem pole. It's a warped trickle down theory which never really does.

Derek

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by smokingGun

Honestly I don't know how LAUSD school board members can live with themselves knowing that they've spent half a BILLION dollars on one project when you have kids who don't have basic necessities like paper, pencils, calculators, or even a proper breakfast. Instead of buying a prime site like the Ambassador Hotel & throwing tens of millions down the hole to make it environmentally suitable for kids, why didn't they just remodel existing elementary & middle schools, converting them to multi-story buildings? Maybe it's not as aesthetically pleasing but when tax dollars are at stake, function is paramount, not form.

Good point. There was strong opposition to tearing down the Ambassador Hotel and it even went to court. But the Kennedy family said it would be a good memorial to Robert Kennedy. Too bad that there is already a Robert Kennedy High School in LA otherwise they could have named it after him. But the very expensive land and buildings were a poor decision when the school district could have easily purchased cheap land nearby.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by smokingGun

Honestly I don't know how LAUSD school board members can live with themselves knowing that they've spent half a BILLION dollars on one project when you have kids who don't have basic necessities like paper, pencils, calculators, or even a proper breakfast. Instead of buying a prime site like the Ambassador Hotel & throwing tens of millions down the hole to make it environmentally suitable for kids, why didn't they just remodel existing elementary & middle schools, converting them to multi-story buildings? Maybe it's not as aesthetically pleasing but when tax dollars are at stake, function is paramount, not form.

I agree - but how can the voters live with themselves for electing these board members and approving the construction bonds?

[ZhugeLiang]

This really earns my "yes" vote on the next bond measure.