Monday, November 8, 2010

$14M green renovation planned for Northview

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10312/1101565-298.stm

"Beyond the energy savings, Chris Berdnik, chief financial/chief operations officer for Pittsburgh Public Schools, said green buildings have the potential to increase academic performance.

"There's a significant amount of research that kids learn best when there's good natural classroom light and excellent indoor air quality," said Mr. Berdnik."

- So what are the plans for the other schools that don't have natural light?

10 comments:

Questioner said...

These plans seem to have little relationship to the facilities consultant report. DeJong estimated the Northview renovation at $10.9 million. For Arlington, DeJong put renovations at $4M but Board discussions have mentioned renovations in the $20M - $25M range.

If the difference is the green aspect of these renovations- was DeJong not asked to consider green options? Should estimates for other buildings be redone and indexes computed again?

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness we're moving the IB school to the windowless Peabody. I'm sure that will help kids raise their IB test scores.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Berdnik is just another political hack with an agenda. Is he joking? How many sick buildings are there in the district that could truly use a piece of the $14 million pie?

Questioner said...

Please avoid the personal comments- PPS employees have to follow the agenda set for them if they wish to keep their jobs.

Lots of other buildings are receiving money as well- a $3M+ renovation at King was recently reported. It is often difficult to decipher financial information from Board meetings, but it sounds like expenditures of about $70M are planned. They do seem to be going to those parts of the city that have a board member that works for their particular area and plays ball with the administration.

Anonymous said...

On the contrary, "political hack" is not a personal comment but rather, a comment about one's professional agenda. Are you simply trying to posture yourself as "politically correct"?

Questioner said...

Definition:

political hack - a politician who belongs to a small clique that controls a political party for private rather than public ends

- PPS employees following instructions of their bosses do not fit this definition. What we need to address are administration policies.

Anonymous said...

Seriously? They are both immoral, and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.

Making poor decisions, posturing, being ignorant, blaming others while washing your hands of all dirty deeds because you passed them on to a subordinate is pretty freaking' low. That is political hackness.

"- PPS employees following instructions of their bosses do not fit this definition. What we need to address are administration policies."

Berdnick is the epitome of this.

Anonymous said...

"PPS employees following instructions of their bosses do not fit this definition. What we need to address are administration policies."

100% agree, smile, nod and NEVER EVER ask about budget concerns.

The policy is we can agree to disagree so you can find employment elsewhere.

Walk the plank.

Questioner said...

We elected a board who chose a superintendent who makes decisions. It is the JOB of these employees to implement those decisions.

Anonymous said...

Plank walked