Tuesday, July 25, 2000
CPS board spilt over funds for arts, performing school
By Andrea Tortora
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Changes to two popular Cincinnati Public Schools programs prompted dozens of students, parents and community members Monday to ask Board of Education members to consider what's best for students.
Individuals gave nearly two hours of testimony on three main issues:
• Maintaining the current structure of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Teen Institute programs.
• Urging board support to spend $26 million for a new building in Over-the-Rhine to house a kindergarten through 12th grade School for Creative and Performing Arts.
• Using that same $26 million instead for programs that benefit students in all of the district's schools.
Students who took part in the Teen Institute substance abuse prevention program told the board it should retain Lowrie Turner as program coordinator. Her contract was not renewed in March. They held up banners that read “We Want It Like It Is” and “Leave the Safe and Drug Free Program Alone.”
Patricia Carson, parent of Woodward High student Andre Jones, who was killed Jan. 20, 1999, said the board needs to help students.
Superintendent Steven Adamowski said the district will keep the drug-free programs intact. The board voted to do so in May.
Support for a proposal to build a new SCPA building near Music Hall was split.
Those against spending $26 million on a new building said all students in the district deserved the money, not just the “elite.” Sister Monica McGoin, who lives in Over-the-Rhine, said, “I believe all of the children of Cincinnati are talented and creative.”
Those who support plans to build the school, which would put students in contact with working arts professionals, said the district has a chance to take advantage of hefty financial sup port from the private community.
The Greater Cincinnati Arts and Education Center has already raised $3 million toward the project costs and plans to match the $26 million the district might commit.
SCPA parent Denise Winkler said she did not understand the negative attitudes toward the project.
“When did it become bad for affluent, successful people to give back to the community?” she said.
Board member Lynn Marmer said she supports the SCPA proposal because it leverages private money the district can use to secure interest-free bonds for construction.
Board Chairman Rick Williams said the entire board should review the district's overall facility needs. The board's facility committee will consider a recommendation for spending $26 million for a new SCPA building at an Aug. 10 meeting.
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