[nfbmi-talk] flint schools have the money and know what they should do

[joe harcz Comcast]

November 14, 2011

 

 

Note that in Jeff’s School the district is out of compliance with the ADA requirements for raised character and Braille signage on every permanent room. The requirement for all entities of state and local government was to have these signs placed nearest the latch side of the door at 60 inches (centerline, now under new regulations it can be between 48 inches to 60 inches). The requirements are under the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines (ADAAG) found at 3.40.1, 4, 5, and 6.The requirement was to remove these barriers under the district’s transition plan by no later than July 26, 1995 which was the 5th anniversary of the ADA.

 

Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this district and MCB for that matter is more than a decade and one half late on doing it’s required ADA homework.

 

Also notAnd that is for blind folks alone and note  to mention people including students, parents, and employees with other disabilities. For note  the other ADA references in this article.

 

Joe Harcz

 

 

Flint school board approves building improvements | MLive.com  frame

Flint school board approves building improvements | MLive.com  frame end

 

FLINT, Michigan — The Flint School board has given the nod for

further building improvements.

 

Low bids collected for work totaling $673,489 — include new lighting for more than a dozen schools, Northern and Northwestern high school restroom improvements,

a new fire alarm system at Northwestern and parking and auditorium seating improvements at Southwestern Academy — were unanimously approved tonight.

FLI0722 construction05.JPG

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FILE | The Flint JournalMike Williston, 42, working for Central Interiors, works on the ceiling of a hallway in Durant Tuuri Mott Elementary in July.

 

The low bids came in from 13 separate contractors.

 

Last week, a board subcommittee approved sending more than $800,000 in bids to the full board.

 

Wednesday's approval, however, did not include some additional amendments or "alternates," to the bids.

 

The district borrowed $15 million from the state to get a head start on capital improvement projects before the tax money to pay for them becomes available.

 

A sinking fund tax for capital improvements approved by voters last August hit the tax rolls in July. The 4-mill tax is expected to raise about $5 million

a year for 10 years.

 

Work started this summer, with workers installing a new gym floor in Northern High School and a chiller for its air conditioning system. Southwestern Academy

got a new roof and windows and a renovated pool and bus loop.

 

Other work included replacing doors, windows and lighting, which officials said will make the buildings more energy efficient and save money over the long

term.

 

The  work over the summer was the most widespread renovation effort in school district history and was only the first phase of work.

 

Much of the new work includes improving the high school bathrooms and parking lots to better comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

 

The district has seen deep enrollment declines and has been working to keep students in the schools with added improvements.

 

As of this year's fall count, the district reported 9,860 students, considerably fewer than the more than 33,000 students reported in 1980.

 

In the past nine years, the district closed roughly half its schools — going from 42 open school buildings in 2002 to 22 today.

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/10/flint_school_board_approves_bu.html