Posted by Dr. CJ Huff at 9/11/2014 8:00:00 AM
Parking at JHS/FTC:
I’ve had several questions from parents and staff regarding the parking at JHS/FTC and whether there are fewer spaces than at the old high school.
Here are the numbers:
·
450: the number of student parking spaces at the
old JHS/FTC combined
·
507: the number of student parking spaces at the
new JHS/FTC when the construction of the performing arts center is complete
·
442: the number of student parking spaces currently available at the new JHS/FTC
·
435: the number of student parking permits we have sold to date
So, the short answer is we have eight fewer student spaces at the moment, but we have more spaces than the number of permits purchased by students.
If you have additional questions about parking at the high school, check out this
Q&Aon the high school website.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of paved parking spaces at JHS/FTC:
· 169: staff parking spaces (9 more than the old JHS/FTC combined)
· 507: final number of student parking spaces (when construction is complete, 57 more than the old JHS/FTC)
· 43: number of visitor spaces (21 more than the old JHS/FTC)
· 21: number of handicap spaces (8 more than the old JHS/FTC)
In addition, we have space for future parking should we need it.
Staff changes at Irving and Stapleton:
At the beginning of every school year, we analyze our enrollment and make adjustments accordingly. We do look at initial enrollment numbers before the start of every school year and build our staffing plan based on that, but every year we have to make changes. It may surprise some that we have to wait until after the start of the school year. Believe it or not, our enrollment numbers change daily the first and second week of school. There are some parents who wait until after the start of the school year to enroll their students. We also have many families in our district who move into, out of, and within our district, and it affects our staffing needs not only at the start of the year but also throughout the year. This is especially true these last two or three years as our community rebuilds from the May 2011 disaster.
As you may have heard, this year the changes included moving three teachers (kindergarten, first, and second grade) from Stapleton, whose enrollment numbers have declined, to Irving, whose enrollment numbers jumped this school year. It was certainly not an ideal situation, but we made these changes to ensure that we have appropriate class sizes at both schools. Our principals and teachers have worked hard to make the transition as smooth as possible and to help our students and parents adjust.
We certainly don’t like to move teachers after the start of the school year. However, the good news is that the growth at Irving indicates that families are moving back into the neighborhoods damaged or destroyed by the May 2011 tornado. We think that this is a great thing for Joplin.
At the end of September, we submit our enrollment numbers to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We will share these “official” numbers with you then. We’re excited to see our community recovering and our preliminary enrollment numbers are certainly showing that recovery. We will continue to watch enrollment patterns throughout the district as we plan ahead for the next school year.
Until next time,
CJ
5 comments:
Since the numbers on parking have been posted I've come to realize that the finance dept. must be in charge of counting the spaces and selling the parking passes, the numbers don't add up. I did not pay for a parking pass because my child is in band. Band is first hour and as you know, still has no home. Band is held in the 9/10 cafeteria and/or Junge stadium. By the time they arrive at school there are no available parking places left. Band students who have forked over the $20 fee to be able to park are being forced to find other parking elsewhere. If there have been fewer passes sold than available parking, who, then who is parking in the left over spaces? They must be using the new math to figure this out because it just doesn't add up!
Agree with above! My son says if your not there by 8, there are no spots. Its crazy. The $20 fee is to help dig them outta this mess they've made . If 500 kids drivevthats $10,000. The the crock of crap insurance for computers they were trying to force at $50 a pop x 2000 kids is $100,000! All for what?? Parking that should be free and computers they force us to use.
The construction team is taking up a large area of parking for staging. Once, if ever, they are finished there will be a lot of parking open up.
I made many calls regarding parking. I called other schools in our area. Parking costs at other school, comparable to ours, are $1, $3 and $5. When I did get someone on the phone at JHS who actually had some answers, I was told that after looking at parking costs at other schools, they felt that $20.00 was fair and reasonable. I was told that the committee had compared Joplin to Springfield. The last time I checked, Joplin and Springfield are NOT comparable. They have three high school, are a larger metropolitan area and the socio-economical demographics certainly do not match. This is just one more fee that doesn't make sense for a building that has gone from necessity, to excessive. One more lesson to teach our children that they don't need to worry, some one else with pay for your wants and desires. This feeds the sense of entitlement that runs rampant through that generation and it champions the idea that Joplin's administration will never be held accountable for their behaviors and spending. As a Joplin High School graduate, I mostly just sit and shake my head. If you complain, ask questions or call anyone out professionally, you are a troublemaker and are not taken seriously. You get a label and then so does your child. Until more than a few voices speak up, this will continue.
well considering I found out that they eliminated two parking lots because of funds being cut there would have been a whole lot more parking! But since they did sod grass and everything else they got rid of 2 whole parking lots!!!! I was soo mad when I found that out!
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