Pooler exploding with growth (apartment complex, homes, neighborhood)

[ajc100890]

Here is the model SCCPSS uses to determine which projects are warranted. Based off this information, it appears the Pooler Elementary building is comparatively in good condition versus some of the school system's other facilities.

SCCPSS | ESPLOST III

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

Here is the model SCCPSS uses to determine which projects are warranted. Based off this information, it appears the Pooler Elementary building is comparatively in good condition versus some of the school system's other facilities.

SCCPSS | ESPLOST III

Trust me. You would not want your child to go there, unless there were no other options. No reflection on the personnel there, just the depressing surroundings. It feels like a dark prison.

[ajc100890]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Trust me. You would not want your child to go there, unless there were no other options. No reflection on the personnel there, just the depressing surroundings. It feels like a dark prison.

Another K-8 school is planned for New Hampstead. As well, another K-8 is planned for Garden City.

It is entirely possible that the SCCPSS does not have long term plans to retain the school as the population center of Pooler shifts westward. Those who live in "old Pooler" may be sent to the West Chatham, Garden City Elementary, or the new K-8s.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Trust me. You would not want your child to go there, unless there were no other options. No reflection on the personnel there, just the depressing surroundings. It feels like a dark prison.

Did you see some of these other schools before they were replaced and demolished? Oy vey! I'm not saying Pooler isn't what you say it is (I've only seen it from the outside) but it's obviously not as bad as the others, or else it would have already been addressed.

JUST FOR EXAMPLE: The original May Howard on Wilmington Island (which is currently being demolished) was a series of long, low buildings connected by fenced covered breezeways. It didn't even have interior hallways! And every classroom had a stack of sand bags by the door to keep water out when it rains.

And it goes without saying that some of the inner city schools were almost criminal in their negelect over the years. SCCPS made a commitment years ago to modernize the entire system and that takes time and money. Obviously they had to set priorities, and the fact that May Howard in an affluent community like Wilmington Island is just now getting replaced tells me that there were far worse campuses. At least take comfort knowing they're not favoring the rich white neighborhoods over the poor black ones. Everybody is getting upgrades, eventually.

[gentlearts]

No, News, I have not seen those, so I suppose they could be worse. What gets me mad is the school board has carte blanche for funding. There is no excuse for the schools to be so behind. Every year they set a budget, and the money just flows in.

I have never lived anywhere in which the school funding didn't have to be voted on. Most levies failed several times before they passed, yet the school buildings were updated, and old ones replaced with new.

I've also not lived anywhere where there is just one superintendent and one school board for the whole county. Maybe it is just too big a job for them to do well? Too many moving parts.

I'd love to see a Pooler/Bloomingdale/Garden City School district. Small managable school systems work better.

So, anyway, Pooler Elementary was built in 1949, a year after I was, so I know how decrepit it must be.

[ajc100890]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

I've also not lived anywhere where there is just one superintendent and one school board for the whole county. Maybe it is just too big a job for them to do well? Too many moving parts.

The reason for this dates back to the early 20th century. The smaller cities like Pooler, Garden City, Bloomingdale, etc were too rural to afford to run a school system, so it fell on the County to operate.

At some point in the 30s or 40s, the City and County school systems merged into a unified school district. Of course at the time there were only 150,000 people in Chatham County.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

The reason for this dates back to the early 20th century. The smaller cities like Pooler, Garden City, Bloomingdale, etc were too rural to afford to run a school system, so it fell on the County to operate.

At some point in the 30s or 40s, the City and County school systems merged into a unified school district. Of course at the time there were only 150,000 people in Chatham County.

Ah, yes. It's great to still live in the past, but what does anyone from up north know?

[masonbauknight]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

T Pooler, Garden City, Bloomingdale, etc were too rural to afford to run a school system, so it fell on the County to operate.
.

Yes, it was very rural, and GC was blue collar. We used to parody the Groves High "Farmers" (all were students from west Chatham until the 1990s) on our Homecoming Day floats: farmers' duds and straw hats, gingham dresses for the girls, three blacked-out teeth. All the high schools did it.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Ah, yes. It's great to still live in the past, but what does anyone from up north know?

Not much, apparently!

Article 8, Section V of the Georgia State Constitution specifically adresses the creation of consolidated County school districts and explicitly forbids the creation of new, fractured school districts along racial and demographic lines. This amendment was established with a grandfather clause, meaning independent city school districts could continue but no new DIVIDED school districts could be established. As a result, as of 2017 the state of Georgia has 159 County School Districts and 20 Public City School Districts (several city and county districts have been consolidated since the amendment was passed).

The state of Florida has 67 counties and 67 county school districts. Compare this to the state of Alabama, which has 173 racially divided school districts and a population that's less than half that of Georgia or one-fourth that of Florida! Or Pennsylvania with 501 school districts! Or Ohio with 800 school districts!

Now ... please tell me how Pooler having its own school system is a good thing again?

[bellhead]

Lived in Kentucky, Boone County and the school system was very similar, one very large system for the entire county except one rural area in the southern part. The result was 5 very large high schools and over 20 elementary schools.