Tour shows decaying James Buchanan High School

When Sonja Anderson toured James Buchanan High School on Saturday, she was shocked by what she saw.

[here we go again]

the building is in the shape it is in because we left it get that way. My son was in the middle school when it was renovated and he doesn't mind the way the high school looks. quit making the kids the excuse. They don't care. I think they would rather go to htat school in the condition it is in and have more money for his parents to spend on them. I keep asking where do you think the people are to find the money for the tax increase? Until you answer that there should be no more decussion. That is like wanting a mansion and not working. How does that work?

[1974 Grad]

I remember the mass exodus from the Middle School in 1972 when the entire school population walked up to the "new" school in 1972, books in tow. It's a shame that the building wasn't better maintained. I remember the school administrators saying that it would be at least 50 years before anything would need to be done in the way of upgrades (assuming proper maintenance). It sounds as though that proper maintenance never happened, or didn't happen enough. I hope that whatever happens out of it this time, that someone take on the responsibility to maintain the building properly, it obviously hasn't happened in the past.

[Another]

And all people want to do in Chambersburg is complain, because they're spending money to improve their schools. Goes to show you, know matter what you do, people are going to complain.

[Look in the mirror]

I recently graduated from the high school and it is in bad need of repair. All of you who are complaining haven't been in apparently, because if you would see the conditions you'd change your tune. Everyone is complaning about the cost and asking why repairs haven't been made; perhaps its because everytime money needed to be spent to repair it, you same people complained about the money being spent. Don't blame the school board before you look in the mirror at yourselves.

[Wally]

The Teachers' Union--Building Contractor--School District cabal is all about spending money on construction. It is an imperative: build something...a football stadium...new classroom building...a new anything that results in a contract for construction firms. And once the contracted work starts let there be change orders...lots of change orders. Who'll pay? Take a guess.

[wake up]

look it is needed...I agree the taxes are out of control but something needs to be done

[JB alum]

I don't think the reasoning that we need to build a new pool just because we are the only school in the tri-state area to have one flies with me.....especially since Shippensburg High has had a pool for many, many years and, if you go up the highway a litte, Big Spring has one too (check your info a little closer). The simple fact is when the cost cutting starts to fund this project, do you want a pool OR books, bathrooms, teachers, technology,........need I go on?

[CSIFAN]

Dont forget the new planetarium! Everyone needs to know where to find the Big Dipper and Orion.

Also needed, artifical turf and a new track....and new tennis courts and new band uniforms. At least they dont have principals for every grade and superintendants for maintenance, one for food service, lawn mowing, like Chambersburg does.

Quit whining and pony up folks.

[JBHS GRAD]

I also graduated from JBHS many years ago. It was in poor shape then with bathroom stall doors falling off. But at least we could drink the water, back then. I know that we need to either renovate or rebuild, and I also know that my taxes will probably go up again... But why didn't TSD think of this before they went and gave the teacher their raises. They knew how bad it was then and they gave them their raises.. which raised my taxes ..And now you are going to come and ask again for more money from us tax payers that are on fixed incomes.. Why dosen't TSD try and raise some of the money through fund raisers.. I'm just saying if they can make my 9th grader pay $40 for some stupid thing like sheetz tickets that we didn't want but had to buy then why can't they ask for donations or at least have local builders do the job.. And if it's only going to be a few Million dollars more then build a new one instead of just fixing this one.... it will save all of these problems again in another 20 or so years...

[momma of 3]

it was in bad shape back in 1996 when I graduated

[fixed income]

I am sure everyone has heard the word recession. It just amazes me that in a time where everything is going up we want to raise taxes. it cost more to get gas and groceries and just the things to mantain the normal things in a family. i just want to know if a person only makes a certain amount and has cut out all the extras in life to make ends meet. Where do I come up with extra tax money? you can't get blood out of a turnip as they say.

[Terry]

Hey 'fixed income'..I bet you voted Republican all you life. And as far as 'here we go again', you may want to rethink your position on education."the building is in the shape it is in because we left it get that way". Nice..

[Embedded Citizen]

Is there nobody employed by the school district that is supposed to maintain the schools. I'm sure there are, so why are the schools in such a poor condition?

[beentheredontlik eit]

All district taxpayers should rise up and now demand that the previous maintenance heads and administrative staffs be held accountable, perhaps even criminally charged with neglect and mis-appropriation and use of tax monies generated in the last 20+ years.

For the last several decades they obviously did not carry out the job they were paid to do, in terms of maintenance spending and upkeep of this building.

Where did all THAT money go?
I want answers on THAT money before I vote yes on MORE money - How do we know the NEW money for upkeep won't be mis-spent as the old monies were?

Its time for a criminal investigation by the county district attorney. Meantime, I hope to organize a Tear and Feathering Committee.

Everyone is belly-aching about what we need NOW - what happened to the budgeted money the last 20 years?? Where did it GO??

[Tired of Being Taxed]

Where is all of the gaming income the casinos were supposed to bring into PA to lower our taxes? Why isn't anyone pushing back on that issue to our great Governor?

It is pathetic that the local schools have been allowed to get to a state of such disrepair. Especially when the prisoners are living it up in the NEW prison. What is wrong with this picture???

[fixed income]

first of all what does republican got to do with anything? And by the way I am a democrate if that makes you feel better.

[Concerned]

The military has maintained buildings and equipment for seemingly forever. Some aircraft that are older than the school are still flying missions; why, because they are maintained properly. Yes, taxpayer money is involved with this maintenance and it is involved in maintaining the school. However, it seems that the maintenance had not been properly held accountable for their lack of attention to details. Yes, taxpayers are once again going to have to "belly up"; however, a solid look at teacher's salarys would surprise most taxpayers. A teacher works 9 months a year, has many, many benefits that most citizens are not aware of the extend of the costs. One should count the number of days a teacher actually works in a year, add their salary, the cost of their benefits, their retirement benefits, etc and we can see why our tax dollars are over extended.
Additionally, why do we need a swimming pool, tennis courts, artifical turf (as requested) and other high cost and high maintenance areas? Not trying to put the school in reverse, just suggesting that in these days of finincial stress that the school needs to look at ways to tighten the belt and do with less activity oriented areas and concentrate on educational needs.

[Mobius1]

Perhaps if the total anticipated cost of this project contained the salary and benefits for 5 more maintenance personnel for the next 20 years it would be a little easier to accept. That was a pretty miserable excuse for wanting a new pool....maybe have the pool offset from the main building and use materials in the construction that would hold up to the chemicals and humidity.No easy answers....I graduated there in 82 and the place didn't seem that bad then,'course that was like 100 years ago

[Marketing 101]

Let the marketing and spin start. It appears the district has now started their marketing in the hope the districts taxpayers will pony up the building funds.

Aint gonna happen. Whats plan B?

[Jane]

The condition of the Shalom school is worse than Tuscarora' high school but you dont hear those kids complaining.

Condition has nothing to do with the kids learning.