Students at Lahser High School report that the "media center" of that school is often "off-limits" to students during their lunch breaks, and also during times when meetings are being held in that room and when no adult is available to supervise them.
I've also been told that the school's library has an inadequate collection of reference and other materials. That students are ofter not allowed to use the school's computers. Why is that?
The Bloomfield Hills School district is the largest employer located within Bloomfield Township. There are plenty of adults at Lahser High school, and it seems reasonable that at least one of them can take a shift in the media center to make sure students have access to computers and materials.
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The failed 2010 high school plan did not include a media center or library on designs shared with the public. As you recall, that version of the mega school included a "sky bridge" and a new central administration building.
But no Library or Media Center?
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We need to know what we are going to get BEFORE we agree to pay for any upgrades to existing buildings, renovations or construction.
The "hybrid" plan, "schematically designed" by expensive consultant FNI, has an ambiguous area designated as a media center, but also a "commons" and a
cafeteria." We know that the plan includes "learning communities" and will embrace the twin concepts of "team teaching" and "collaborative learning." It includes an elaborate Performing Arts Center and sports facilities.
I'm concerned that this really isn't a "school" at all.
I'm not sure we are ready to abandon traditional classrooms and a well-stocked library/media center for our high school students.
Just where are we headed?
Will the International Academy be renovated in this same way? If not, why not? The IA performs very well....with traditional classrooms.
I find it ironic that the Bloomfield Township Library Board has just announced a "partnership" with the BHSD. Does the BHS Board of Education plan to use township facilities for BHS students? Such a "blending" of taxing authorities with different boundaries is often a "bad deal" for some taxpayers, and a boon to others.
A boon to the ones who don't pay for it. The BHSD enrolls students from over a dozen municipalities other than Bloomfield Twp.
How do we KNOW what we are going to get?
The FACT is, we don't. Once money is awarded to the school district, the trustees have great latitude as to what they can do with it.
Editor's note: The FNI unified high school schematic does have a spot designated as a library.
