Recently, we put together a spreadsheet compiling information from the publicly available BOE meeting minutes to get a clearer picture of how much was spent on the Temporary Classroom Units (TCUs). These modular classrooms were meant to be a temporary solution in anticipation of the construction of a new high school, but the financial details surrounding them is anything but straightforward.
What Did We Find?
The spreadsheet includes costs for construction, architectural services and other contracts related to the TCUs. However, there are still gaps in the information-particularly when it comes to furnishing the thirty-two state of the art classrooms and four offices. While some expenses are clearly labeled, others are harder to track, leaving questions about how much in total was actually spent and whether the costs were justified, especially given the budget shortfall last year and the continued budget crisis this year. Given the price tag for these temporary units, one has to wonder how many cuts to programs, staff and services could have been avoided?
We believe in transparency in public spending is essential, but sometimes, it takes a community effort to make sense of it all. If you have experience in construction, finance, or just an eye for details, we’d love your help in reviewing this data. This spreadsheet does not contain every expenditure for the TCUs; instead, it provides a jumping off point for a deeper dive into the data contained in the board minutes posted at https://ebps.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/ . We are now into the third year in the original five year plan to retire the TCUs and move the 9th grade to the (new) high school, yet there are seemingly more questions than answers.
If you’re interested in taking a look, drop a comment or message to us. Let’s work together to get a full picture of where our tax dollars are going
Click Here To Download the PDF
