24/7 Schools

"BU, District #150 Projects bear fruit", writes Dave Haney in today's JS, "partnership connects students, community via public service."

Read my comments on The Peoria Chronicle blog today and my blogs dated March 4, 2009 titled "Charitable Contributions", my blog dated 4/27/07 titled, "Schools an all day Affair", and my blog, "Community Gardens", dated 8/19/10.

Expensive new buildings have now built. Old ones have been remodeled. Like we needed new buildings to use them for 24/7 programs??? The problems of the past have been lack of the the right leadership along with some community apathy. Maybe new leadership and new buildings and a new superintendent will re-kindle interest. However, "Ivory Tower" leaders, of which I have seen many, will never get the job done right.

If the past is any guideline, after all the hype, expect interest to die down as it has in 24/7 schools in Peoria in the past. I'm optimistic we will do better this time.

As a reminder, despite all the Boys and Girls Club advertising and fund-raising, they only have one small building on Kansas. Yes, I know they operate other programs in the community and tout large numbers of people reached. The former headquarters on Grinnell has been closed for over three years yet still is listed in the phone book and has an active phone ring that no one answers. When I was a board member of the B & G Club, I learned that one visit one day inflated the total of people served. Numbers of people served and results were and are difficult to assess.

People feel good about donating money. I suggest you "follow your money". Garfield, Trewyn, Manual and Harrison are the targeted schools so states the JS article. Volunteer or visit and make your own assessments as I did. Your tax dollars are being spent whenever public schools are involved.