FieldTurf in the Field House

[redskins4ever]

Of course not be willing to sell the Jr High to the only buyers in town is just as dumb.

[BGDrew]

I'm sorry, but a brand new auditorium is NOT a worthwhile use of our tax dollars.

Is a brand new football stadium worthwhile?

[hammb]

I'm sorry, but a brand new auditorium is NOT a worthwhile use of our tax dollars.

Is a brand new football stadium worthwhile?

As a use of tax dollars? No, in my opinion it is not. And I don't think a levy asking for a football stadium would pass. There is nothing wrong with the current football stadium.

I don't feel that a performing arts center is a justifiable use of tax dollars. It sucks even more that they got it passed by tying it together with a referendum to build a new Jr. High. Their levy failed the first time because they were asking for the works. They scaled it down a little, and got it passed. Had it failed they likely would've brought the levy back asking solely for the new school, and that would've passed easily.

Tax dollars should be used for educational purposes, not extra curricular activities. Especially when they have a large university right down the road that they can rent a place from on the few occasions they actually need a large auditorium. It makes no sense for a local school district to sink millions in tax dollars into something so trivial.

[JoeFalcon]

We need Field Turf in the Field House so AT can take it to the Hiz House.

[VDub26Falcon]

We need Field Turf in the Field House so AT can take it to the Hiz House.

BOOO! BOOO! BOOOOOOOO!

Sorry, that was just simply Cheesetastic.

[jg4242]

I'm sorry, but a brand new auditorium is NOT a worthwhile use of our tax dollars.

Is a brand new football stadium worthwhile?

As a use of tax dollars? No, in my opinion it is not. And I don't think a levy asking for a football stadium would pass. There is nothing wrong with the current football stadium.

I don't feel that a performing arts center is a justifiable use of tax dollars. It sucks even more that they got it passed by tying it together with a referendum to build a new Jr. High. Their levy failed the first time because they were asking for the works. They scaled it down a little, and got it passed. Had it failed they likely would've brought the levy back asking solely for the new school, and that would've passed easily.

Tax dollars should be used for educational purposes, not extra curricular activities. Especially when they have a large university right down the road that they can rent a place from on the few occasions they actually need a large auditorium. It makes no sense for a local school district to sink millions in tax dollars into something so trivial.

This makes me so sad. Music and art are NOT extracurricular activities. They are a part of the regular school day, and are classes just like math, English, and science. Art and music are a REQUIRED element of the curriculum in Ohio. As they should be. And don't tell me that the arts should be regarded with any less importance than math or science or history. The arts are essential for developing well-rounded human beings. Please don't dismiss them as "trivial" and extraneous.

As for the whether a new auditorium is necessary, here's a few good reasons why an auditorium is needed in BG. The current auditorium was built in 1927, has no climate control, poor air quality, is structurally unsound, and is greatly undersized. The stage is simply not large enough to serve the music programs, and is also too small to adequately host productions from the drama program. There is no backstage space, and the lighting and sound systems are out of date. Furthermore, there is no way to move instruments and equipment from the band room other than by carrying down them down 6 flights of stairs from the 3rd floor music department. Also, the acoustics in the hall are less than ideal. And we're talking about large percussion instruments that cost tens of thousands of dollars and weigh upwards of 50 pounds.

In regards to the use of University facilities by the city schools... Kobacker Hall costs about $1,000 to rent for a performance. In addition, it is booked frequently enough that high school concerts have to be planned while the University is on break. The school then has to provide a truck to haul equipment and instruments across town to the University. In addition, students have to be pulled out of school during the day or meet outside of the school day in order to meet at the University.

And in order to make this post relevant to the thread: Here's hoping that Mr. Christopher lets the band have the old turf from the fieldhouse to install as a practice field that isn't reduced to a swamp by the second month of class!

[bgmaggot00]

I'm sorry, but a brand new auditorium is NOT a worthwhile use of our tax dollars.

I don't feel that a performing arts center is a justifiable use of tax dollars.

Tax dollars should be used for educational purposes, not extra curricular activities. Especially when they have a large university right down the road that they can rent a place from on the few occasions they actually need a large auditorium. It makes no sense for a local school district to sink millions in tax dollars into something so trivial.

This makes me so sad. Music and art are NOT extracurricular activities. They are a part of the regular school day, and are classes just like math, English, and science. Art and music are a REQUIRED element of the curriculum in Ohio. As they should be. And don't tell me that the arts should be regarded with any less importance than math or science or history. The arts are essential for developing well-rounded human beings. Please don't dismiss them as "trivial" and extraneous.

As for the whether a new auditorium is necessary, here's a few good reasons why an auditorium is needed in BG. The current auditorium was built in 1927, has no climate control, poor air quality, is structurally unsound, and is greatly undersized. The stage is simply not large enough to serve the music programs, and is also too small to adequately host productions from the drama program. There is no backstage space, and the lighting and sound systems are out of date. Furthermore, there is no way to move instruments and equipment from the band room other than by carrying down them down 6 flights of stairs from the 3rd floor music department. Also, the acoustics in the hall are less than ideal. And we're talking about large percussion instruments that cost tens of thousands of dollars and weigh upwards of 50 pounds.

In regards to the use of University facilities by the city schools... Kobacker Hall costs about $1,000 to rent for a performance. In addition, it is booked frequently enough that high school concerts have to be planned while the University is on break. The school then has to provide a truck to haul equipment and instruments across town to the University. In addition, students have to be pulled out of school during the day or meet outside of the school day in order to meet at the University.

And in order to make this post relevant to the thread: Here's hoping that Mr. Christopher lets the band have the old turf from the fieldhouse to install as a practice field that isn't reduced to a swamp by the second month of class!

:::Applauds:::

As a music teacher who did his student teaching at BGJH, and was able to provide feedback in the plans for the new school/PAC, I can assure you that this is sorely needed. I'm not going to go into it more, as I know I won't change your mind, but in the grand scheme of things fostering the arts are far more important than the development of athletes. In addition, have you looked at construction costs for, oh, anything recently? $5M really isn't asking for much with all that you get here.

[hammb]

This makes me so sad. Music and art are NOT extracurricular activities. They are a part of the regular school day, and are classes just like math, English, and science. Art and music are a REQUIRED element of the curriculum in Ohio. As they should be. And don't tell me that the arts should be regarded with any less importance than math or science or history. The arts are essential for developing well-rounded human beings. Please don't dismiss them as "trivial" and extraneous.

Let's just say I disagree with most of this paragraph, and you won't change my mind. I won't change yours and we'll call it a day.

[Falcon30]

This makes me so sad. Music and art are NOT extracurricular activities. They are a part of the regular school day, and are classes just like math, English, and science. Art and music are a REQUIRED element of the curriculum in Ohio. As they should be. And don't tell me that the arts should be regarded with any less importance than math or science or history. The arts are essential for developing well-rounded human beings. Please don't dismiss them as "trivial" and extraneous.

Let's just say I disagree with most of this paragraph, and you won't change my mind. I won't change yours and we'll call it a day.

You disagree that Music and art are required elements? Or that they should be? I am sorry, but you are way off base. I think you will also find that the majority of people not on ly on this board, but in the public disagree with you, too.

Can anyone name me a great school without an auditorium and a decent band choir or orchestra program?

[hammb]

You disagree that Music and art are required elements? Or that they should be? I am sorry, but you are way off base. I think you will also find that the majority of people not on ly on this board, but in the public disagree with you, too.

Can anyone name me a great school without an auditorium and a decent band choir or orchestra program?

Obviously I don't disagree that they are required elements. I was forced to take an art class to graduate HS, and to graduate college.

What I disagree with is that they SHOULD be requirements, and I definitely don't agree that they're necessary to create a "well rounded" student. Do I expect agreement on this board? Hell no, there are TON of band folks on this board. I don't care if the people on this board or if the general public agree with me, general consensus isn't enough to change my mind.

As mentioned I was forced to take these courses in order to graduate, and I can assure you that I'm not a "more well rounded" person because of a stupid painting class in HS. I'm sure as hell not more capable of being a productive member of society due to my ancient art history class from BG. In fact I'd bet that I remember less than 1% of what was taught in that class. The painting class didn't provide one single solitary worthwhile skill, seeing as how I don't foresee a future as Bob Ross for myself.

I have no problem with Art & Music being electives at any level of scholastic studies. I do think they should carry additional fees so that those participating can help subsidize the cost, but that's not a big deal. I definitely don't feel they should be required courses for graduation.

As to building a multimillion dollar facility solely for music/theater? That seems very excessive to me, and despite what you seem to think I don't think the general public disagrees with me in that regard. Had the BG school board broken that up into two separate levies, I think the Jr High would've been passed the other would not. Knowing the state of the Jr. High building they knew they could piggy back that auditorium and get it through...it worked.

[TG1996]

I can assure you that I'm not a "more well rounded" person...

Don't sell yourself short, you're tremendously round...

As for the discussion at hand, I think this has gotten away from taxes to pay for a stadium vs. for an auditorium, and into "is football more important than art and music?" And for the record, back somewhere on these pages, hammb actually agrees that taxpayer dollars are no more worthwhile for a stadium than for an auditorium.

In the grand scheme of things, K-12 is a time to give students opportunities to try things, even if some of them are forced by requirements. If a kid takes a music class and loves singing/playing an instrument, then yes, he/she deserves a quality facility in which to foster that skill/desire. But if a kid takes a gym class and decides he wants to play football, don't they also deserve a quality facility?

[Falcon30]

You disagree that Music and art are required elements? Or that they should be? I am sorry, but you are way off base. I think you will also find that the majority of people not on ly on this board, but in the public disagree with you, too.

Can anyone name me a great school without an auditorium and a decent band choir or orchestra program?

Obviously I don't disagree that they are required elements. I was forced to take an art class to graduate HS, and to graduate college.

What I disagree with is that they SHOULD be requirements, and I definitely don't agree that they're necessary to create a "well rounded" student. Do I expect agreement on this board? Hell no, there are TON of band folks on this board. I don't care if the people on this board or if the general public agree with me, general consensus isn't enough to change my mind.

As mentioned I was forced to take these courses in order to graduate, and I can assure you that I'm not a "more well rounded" person because of a stupid painting class in HS. I'm sure as hell not more capable of being a productive member of society due to my ancient art history class from BG. In fact I'd bet that I remember less than 1% of what was taught in that class. The painting class didn't provide one single solitary worthwhile skill, seeing as how I don't foresee a future as Bob Ross for myself.

I have no problem with Art & Music being electives at any level of scholastic studies. I do think they should carry additional fees so that those participating can help subsidize the cost, but that's not a big deal. I definitely don't feel they should be required courses for graduation.

As to building a multimillion dollar facility solely for music/theater? That seems very excessive to me, and despite what you seem to think I don't think the general public disagrees with me in that regard. Had the BG school board broken that up into two separate levies, I think the Jr High would've been passed the other would not. Knowing the state of the Jr. High building they knew they could piggy back that auditorium and get it through...it worked.

I know I am not going to change your mind. Forced to take an art class is way, way different than participating in a performing ensemble.

I miss it every day, and it helps me in my job (I am no longer a music teacher, but it still applies) more than ANYTHING I dealt with in calculus, Physics, or any of those worthless courses. Teamwork, critical thinking, etc.

Again - I do not know of an "excellent" school district that does not have a great arts program.

[Zom]

How many auditoriums is Bowling Green going to have now, I wonder? I suspect a new job is on the way: Bowling Green's own "Inspector of Auditoriums". He/she could count the auditoriums in Bowling Green to make sure that the mandarins that have built them don't lose any, and also to make sure that there is at least one vacant venue for every event held in any other auditorium in Bowling Green. He/she could get everyone's backs up by making every auditorium install Field Turf whether it needed it or not just to keep the sports lobby quiet.