Within the confines of this motion:
Vote-Authorize Statement of Interest for the Lowell High School under Core ProgramPlus, these two combined
C. Belanger/C. Milinazzo - Req. that as School Department moves forward with search for administration offices that consideration be given to boost downtown economic development.I get the feeling that a power struggle is coming on.
M. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. report on marketing/advertising costs, media outlets, vendors and consultants used to promote City.
It was in the first motion where Belanger started to flex. The notion whirled around the process of securing funds for school renovations/improvements (Link).
For even more insight, you can watch a session of City Council that had a presentation on details on applying for inclusion in the 'Core Program,' this fiscal year.
(Begin at the 32:00 mark)
Now, this IS a Council meeting and Corey Belanger was there for the whole thing. So, why was it tonight, Belanger said that Lang 'did not tell the truth,' or something very close to that? The insinuation was untoward. (When the video comes out tomorrow, I'll link to it here.)
Further, the tone & tenor of Belanger's line of inquiry, in the discussion around all three motions, conveyed a sense that the City Council should play a more authoritative role in the school side's business. Especially, those areas that pertain less to teaching kids and more of where huge chunks of change go.
Based on the widely accepted paradigm that Lowell voters over the age of 65 belong to C.Mercier. Belanger seems to be raising his leg on the downtown. Bold, on his part.
I will assume that Belanger is well advised, Specifically, by those that have an interest in moving the High School away from it's current location in an effort to spur economic development. Pardon my skepticism, I seem to be fraught with it. But, there is nasty work afoot. Not so nasty by its intent, but certainly based on the methods being deployed.
Let's not sugar coat this. Certain people want a specific outcome - moving the High School away from a prime location. I'm not clear who they are, but their fingerprints are everywhere. One clue is, they will be well attended to on AM radio infomercials and by what remains of our House delegation.
They apparently have no juice on the School Committee. So, in a panic, they are winding up interlopers in the City Council to run interference. Watch very carefully, as the lines of authority and scope of each body, as defined by our Charter, are blurred.
Not quite a 'constitutional crisis,' but in that vicinity. You ever hear the phrase, "Stay in your lane?" That shit is going right out the window! Buckle up. This may take 6 months to a year to flesh out, but I imagine this episode of #planetlowell will be epic.
There has been a lot of discussion recently about increasing the standard of Lowell High School’s (LHS) physical facility. One overriding question in these discussions is whether the school should remain downtown, or be recreated in another location. There are points to be made on both sides of that question. However, I think that the primary factor should be the overall education of the students at the school, and with that premise I would recommend that improvements be made in the current downtown location rather than re-locating the facility to another area.
ReplyDeleteWe should look at the school as being part of a larger enterprise, one which includes UMASS Lowell (UML) and Middlesex Community College (MCC), the public transportation system and the Business Community. These parallel institutions offer advantages to the students, particularly if the school is in close proximity to them. But proximity is not sufficient; there must be some active involvement in order to make best use of the benefits they offer the students of LHS.
The school systems should build on current relationships to offer students specialized exchange classes where UML and MCC can offer students learning experiences that are not naturally suitable to LHS, whether it be more advanced classes, laboratory facilities or access to conferences that may be scheduled at the higher level education facilities. And it is even possible that a reverse exchange could occur if students at the college level required better foundation in basic classes.
The transportation infrastructure of the City is improving, and should grow even further. The LRTA could schedule added bus routes with the downtown connector to facilitate public transportation between the LRTA terminal and LHS during the critical times of the day. Maybe even some day a trolley system can help serve that purpose.
And the Business Community can be an important contributor, as well as a beneficiary of student spending if they provide after school jobs and internships for LHS (and UML, MCC) students. We should be able to turn the student dismissal issues into positives, if we provide more direct transportation alternatives for those who are leaving the downtown, and work opportunities for those who stay downtown after school.
We need to look at Education as a primary driver of Economic Growth, rather than getting in the way of it as some are indicating. But there should be some actions to improve the interconnections between LHS and these other entities to make the whole process work well.
Great post Joe. The high school should remain downtown because of its central location. But not just because of the educational synergies that can exist between UML and MCC. Its central location is perfect for ALL students of the city to get there in a reasonable amount of time. Many kids in the Acre, Lower Centralville, and Back Cental etc. neighborhoods walk to school. This won't happen if the school is moved to Cawley stadium.
ReplyDeleteAn argument could be made to move the school to the South Common. But this just shifts the burden of *problem* teenagers to Sals new property, the Gallagher terminal and shiny new Hamilton Canal District. And this would most likely be at a greater cost to the taxpayer.
The "old" LHS building has provided intergenerational wealth to the GREAT City of Lowell. And not in the sense of being nostalgic. How much money have have generations of Lowellians saved by not having to rebuild the "old building" every 35 years.
The late 70's early 80's was a bad time for development. The building design and materials were crap. If improvements to the physical structure of the school at it's current location are done right this time it can continue to provide educational and economical wealth for Lowellians for another 150 years.
It kills me to listen to people say we need to move the school department offices back downtown for economic development yet want to move the high school out. Has anyone factored in all the events at LHS ie. cheerleader competitions, swimming lessons etc. and the residual income that generates for downtown businesses?
Maybe Lowell 5 should move or alter it's corporate headquarters? It's suburban style corporate headquarters does not fit well in an urban downtown. What a waste of prime real estate right on the mighty Merrimack.