Lawmaker wants Tulsa arts school
By WORLD CAPITOL BUREAU
1/31/2007
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A state senator from Tulsa said Tuesday that he has filed legislation to create a state high school in Tulsa that would focus on the visual and performing arts.
Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa, said the school would be patterned after the successful Oklahoma School for Science and Math in Oklahoma City.
Williamson estimated that it would take $5 million a year in state funds to operate such a school, which would serve about 200 students.
Private funds would be used to build the school, he said.
It would be set up for high school juniors and seniors from across the state who want to pursue visual and performing arts.
Williamson said he envisions the school being in the downtown area, possibly adjacent to Oklahoma State University-Tulsa.
Williamson's proposal is contained in Senate Bill 928.
I think this is a great idea. I used to work at OSSM, and I think it's a great model for developing amazing talent from accross the state. And, I think it would be just the kind of anchor downtown Tulsa needs.
Is this something TulsaNow could/should actively support?
^ Yes!
Terrific idea. Much, much better than a school for culinary arts. Really, do we need to be turning out 500 chefs every year? Don't we already have an obesity problem?
What a good idea
Awesome!
Would be another incentive to push for the artist lofts and a whole arts district.
Finally. It would be a good fit for Tulsa and if built near the OSU Tulsa Campus could offer some great synergies between the two, especially if OSU Tulsa were to begin offering an arts program of its own.
I know math, science, and computers are the big thing to promote educationally. But there are some students, I include myself, whose aptitudes may not run at all in that direction, and whose talents are squashed. We artists are people too lol, and we can be contributing citizens to the city and state, bringing wealth and richness of many kinds in many ways.
I think the culinary school spends quite a bit of time studying ways to make healthier meals. I have a good friend who son went through this training and it changed his life.
Having 500 well-trained nutrition-minded and inspired young people enter a workforce with potential for good-paying jobs is a good thing.
Back to the school for visual and performing arts...I agree it is something that we could organize support for.
Here is the information on State Senator Williamson including his contact information. We should first each contact him and let him know of our support.
http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/williamson_bio.html
For the papa of a kid who wants to teach drama I know that this is kettle/blackness, but what a crappy idea (at first blush.)
We need technicians, doctors, engineers, and chemists, not more drama queens or self-styled artists. We need another folk singer like a hole in the head.
If we can determine that extreme right-brainedness is a mental disorder then the school may serve a useful role in segregating the technicolor short bus kids from the other students.
Education is supposed to empower kids to ask and find the answers to tough questions: 'How can I make this work?' 'Why does this person get sick and this one does not?' 'When is the right time to add the compound to make this material stronger?' 'What can be done to save energy?'
The only questions and answers our current form of education is preparing our students to be familiar with is 'Do you want fries with that burger?'
Gee, Tim.
What is your training and what is your occupation?
What other industry would loan an 18 year old up to $100K when that kid has no clear idea what he will spend it on?
All the while the universities are able to dish out underwater basket weaving classes at the same rate per hour as math or chemistry classes, which often waste one or two semesters rehashing what should have been taught in high school.
True or Fales: classes taken at TCC will not transfer to OSU or OU if said classes were in the student's major.
Keep in mind that "Art" doesn't just mean "Dot on Canvas" or "Poop in Jar." Decorative paints styles (faux painting and murals) are more popular than ever. I have done such in both of my children's rooms. Animation is also more popular than ever, just ask Pixar and Dreamworks. Graphic Design is also very popular. The last few examples are very high-tech but you aren't going to prepare for at OSSM.
It's not like we're talking about making everyone in Tulsa go, what we are talking about is trying to keep a bit of culture alive and not limiting our career choices to computer engineer or fry cook.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If we do not want more people in math and sciences than open a school that emphasizes the opposite.
If we want fewer doctors and nurses by all means encourage kids to be sketch artists. We have a real crisis in education and this move is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
If we want inventors and innovators and to achieve scientific supremacy over our nation's economic competitors this is exactly the wrong way to go.
Republicans, where are you to defend your boy's legislation?
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If we do not want more people in math and sciences than open a school that emphasizes the opposite.
If we want fewer doctors and nurses by all means encourage kids to be sketch artists. We have a real crisis in education and this move is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
If we want inventors and innovators and to achieve scientific supremacy over our nation's economic competitors this is exactly the wrong way to go.
Republicans, where are you to defend your boy's legislation?
Good grief! Lighten up guy. Not every young person has the aptitude or desire to become a chemist, doctor, or engineer. The state funds a school in OKC for math/science concentrations, why should we not fund a school for kids with promising talents in visual and performing arts? It might as well be in Tulsa and I think it would be a wonderful, welcome addition.
One state school for 200 juniors and seniors with proven potential arts talents is not going to doom our future. Life is not all about math and science; the arts are a giant contributor to quality of life. I am sure competition for admission would be very strong, and the admitting panel would only accept the most talented kids with real potential, the ones most likely to have a future successful career in the arts.
I believe the doctor/nurse shortages are not due to lack of interested, educated people, they are due to a totally screwed up health care system run by big business and insurance companies.
This is a solution to a non-existent problem. There is no lack of starving artists, effusive drama queens, or interpretive dancers.
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
This is a solution to a non-existent problem. There is no lack of starving artists, effusive drama queens, or interpretive dancers.
I think you're wrong about this. OSSM, for example, doesn't just take a handful of random kids and nudge them toward the sciences. It finds and recruits incredibly brilliant (intimidatingly brilliant) kids, whose talents are being neglected in places like Tishamingo and Gotebo, and exposes them to equally brilliant faculty who can challenge them and cultivate their amazing natural abilities.
I dare say there are equally brilliant, naturally gifted artists in places like Cache and Hartshorne, whose
natural gifts could be cultivated at a world-class institution modeled after OSSM.
Labeling potential students as basket weavers and drama queens is like labeling OSSM students as tinkerers and small engine mechanics.
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
This is a solution to a non-existent problem. There is no lack of starving artists, effusive drama queens, or interpretive dancers.
I don't think the proposal is intended to fix a "problem," but to provide more thorough training to kids with the interest and talent.
In a way, there is a problem, in that public schools have drastically cut visual/vocal/performing arts instruction over the past 20 years or so, and this would help restore excellent instruction and guidance to the most promising in the fields. When I was a child in TPS in the mid-1960s, we had mandatory daily music and speech classes in the 4th-6th grades where we were taught to read and transcribe music on paper, taught small plays and performance thereof, etc. I think these things are sadly non-existent today. What it did for me was foster my talent for keyboard music at an early age, and propel me to private organ instruction. I never became a professional player by any means, but still enjoy playing organ music nearly every day, some 40 years later. It has added immensely to my quality of life. Kids with talents in the arts should be encouraged to pusue them.
Okay, I focused on performing arts all through high school. I'm not a drama queen... I'm a systems analyst. [:O]
Brady district?
Magnet status?
quote:
Originally posted by aoxamaxoa
Magnet status?
Not a "magnet school" per se, which are formed by and serve individual school districts and whose primary purpose is to encourage voluntary racial integration. The proposed school would be open to students from all over the state, not just the Tulsa district.
My guess is that prospective students would apply for admission and audition or submit examples of their work before an admitting panel of judges; compete against each other for the available 200 slots, much like it is done at schools like Juilliard. The best and most promissing would win admittance.
If the school is put next to OSU-Tulsa... will OSU-Tulsa start offering art/music depts and degree options?
If a school with strong arts depts like my alma mater (Okla. City Univ) existed at the OSU-Tulsa sight north of the IDL, this idea would make alot more sense...
But per usual... [B)]
Starting your own master race Tim?
Sounds like you're one tolerant, accepting human- good luck with that, really.
Look, I realize that my opinion is going to chaffe some hides, but am not going to be drawn into a myriad threads of debate on the issue.
We waste a lot of time and effort in achieving our education goals is my chief point. Our education system is wasteful at a time when we need to maximize efficiencies.
I appreciate that it takes all kinds to make a well-balanced society, and believe in the unlimited potential of mankind.
This is a waste of taxpayer dollars to build and operate a new school for arts, when we already have one. The Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences has been around for years and is arguably one of the best(if not the best) school in the TPS system. Williamson should concentrate on adequately funding the excellent arts school already in existence and fixing the charter school law, instead of throwing tax dollars away on an unnecessary duplication of services.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
I think the culinary school spends quite a bit of time studying ways to make healthier meals. I have a good friend who son went through this training and it changed his life.
Having 500 well-trained nutrition-minded and inspired young people enter a workforce with potential for good-paying jobs is a good thing.
Back to the school for visual and performing arts...I agree it is something that we could organize support for.
Here is the information on State Senator Williamson including his contact information. We should first each contact him and let him know of our support.
http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/williamson_bio.html
I didn't mean to imply that some people shouldn't be encouraged to go into the culinary arts. But it is a
very limited, and pretty competitive market. An entire school devoted to such a narrow focus makes no sense to me. Say you graduate 500 kids a year in culinary arts--do you think that Tulsa could absorb that many chefs, nutritionists, etc....? Perhaps a school that has that as one option, but not the whole school.
Back to an arts school, to succeed in any type of arts--whether fine or performance, kids really need a state of the art facility to study. Playing in the highschool band won't get you into Juilliard. I have known parents who left Tulsa so their children could attend better art schools. I don't know if OSU offers art classes, but TU has an excellent art program, and ORU has a wonderful music program.
Tim--I have been told by instructors at TCC that all classes transfer seemlessly between TCC, OU & OSU
Williamson estimated that it would take $5 million a year in state funds to operate such a school, which would serve about 200 students.
That's $25,000 per student annually, just to put things in perspective.
It has been proven in study after study that children who study the arts do better overall in school. Arts programs have been dropped or reduced in most public schools in recent years. Test scores in recent years have also been on the decline. Is there a correlation? I believe so.
It's kind of ironic, too, that the area's private schools recognized the need to expand their arts programs and invested millions. Holland Hall's arts program is top of the line and Cascia just finished their Performing Arts Center.
quote:
Originally posted by Double A
This is a waste of taxpayer dollars to build and operate a new school for arts, when we already have one. The Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences has been around for years and is arguably one of the best(if not the best) school in the TPS system. Williamson should concentrate on adequately funding the excellent arts school already in existence and fixing the charter school law, instead of throwing tax dollars away on an unnecessary duplication of services.
I think there is a BIIIIIG difference between an arts-oriented school serving the whole state and TSAS which only serves on of the 17bazillion school districts in oklahoma.
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If we do not want more people in math and sciences than open a school that emphasizes the opposite.
If we want fewer doctors and nurses by all means encourage kids to be sketch artists. We have a real crisis in education and this move is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
If we want inventors and innovators and to achieve scientific supremacy over our nation's economic competitors this is exactly the wrong way to go.
Republicans, where are you to defend your boy's legislation?
Since when were the arts and sciences mutually exclusive? Have you ever heard of Da Vinci? And no, I'm not talking about the Da Vinci Code.
Your comments presume that no one can possibly enjoy math/science and the arts at the same time. Quite the contrary is true in fact. Learning studies have shown music and mathematical talents to be in common and complementary in many individuals. Tulsa already has a very proficient arts culture, to not support it would be a waste.
quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85
Your comments presume that no one can possibly enjoy math/science and the arts at the same time. Quite the contrary is true in fact. Learning studies have shown music and mathematical talents to be in common and complementary in many individuals. Tulsa already has a very proficient arts culture, to not support it would be a waste.
Never really thought about that correlation before, but it is true for me. I have been playing keyboard (organ, not piano or synth) for 42 years, since the age of about 8. Mathematics was always my favorite subject in public school, I took math all the way through calculus in 12th grade, and made A's 90% of the time.
I guess music is the "sound" of mathematics. The key it is written in, transposing keys, the meter, the harmonics and harmony intricacies, music theory in general are all grounded in mathematical relationships.
quote:
Originally posted by Double A
This is a waste of taxpayer dollars to build and operate a new school for arts, when we already have one. The Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences has been around for years and is arguably one of the best(if not the best) school in the TPS system. Williamson should concentrate on adequately funding the excellent arts school already in existence and fixing the charter school law, instead of throwing tax dollars away on an unnecessary duplication of services.
Come on Tulsa Community Foundation. Hope they step up....or some others. Tulsa Spirit!?
As someone who works in the performing art field, I don't understand the need for a seperate school for the arts. I can understand that many schools drama programs have been cut to the breaking point, and are currently running programs sub par to any small community theater.
But as it stands now Tulsa has one of the best dramatic teaching facilities in the region at TCC. As an employee of there for nearly three years I can't see why we can't team up with TPS and offer HS students the ability to take courses at TCC for HS and College credit.
As for producing drama queens, I agree actors and actresses can be a nuissance at times and the star factor seems to shine falsely in their minds. But, a good portion of a dramatic program is technical, scene production, scene painting, design, costuming, makeup... These courses teach students a heck of alot more than drama, they teach many of the things lost in the schools systems now, carpentry(which involves alot of math, something I think that is not taught anymore) and art.
The Performing Art Center for Education is one of Tulsa's many overlooked gems that I feel could be utilized a lot more than a new school for the very same thing.
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If we do not want more people in math and sciences than open a school that emphasizes the opposite.
If we want fewer doctors and nurses by all means encourage kids to be sketch artists. We have a real crisis in education and this move is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
If we want inventors and innovators and to achieve scientific supremacy over our nation's economic competitors this is exactly the wrong way to go.
Republicans, where are you to defend your boy's legislation?
I agree that math and science (especially scientific reasoning skills) should be emphasized far more than they are. However, I would hope this wouldnt be something just done in one math and science school, but all of them.
It was my experience that it was those right brained people who were the ones left out. Most schools have gifted math and science classes for those with above average aptitudes in those subjects. But for those who had a talent in the arts, well your pretty much out of luck. I think there are far fewer people who can do what I do, than there are those that can have an aptitude for math or computers. Its why I get paid as much as I do and thus afford to pay a "number cruncher" to do my book keeping. [;)]
I remember being in high school in Owasso and going to Vo-Tech in Tulsa to take Architectural Drafting and Engineering classes. I remember sitting in computer labs "usually in a complete state of dumbfoundedness lol" trying to figure out how to use the danged things. I remember getting in trouble for "scribbling", and having to take math classes in summer school. The emphasis for math and science was already there, at home and in school, it was the ability for the person like me to further their unique talents that was deemphasized, squashed, and unavailable. Having ONE shool, for the state, for that percentage of those students with those rare aptitudes to be able to meet THEIR potentials, isn't IMO taking away from a world already very much geared towards math and science and even set up for the gifted in those subjects. This school will be one ray of hope, not for the average talent, but for the best in the state to further their abilities.
"Education is supposed to empower kids to ask and find the answers to tough questions: 'How can I make this work?' 'Why does this person get sick and this one does not?' 'When is the right time to add the compound to make this material stronger?' 'What can be done to save energy?'"
I challenge you to do what I do. A painting is nothing more than thousands of "tough questions" requiring critical thinking skills and abstract reasoning abilities. As Michaelangelo said, "A man paints with his brains and not with his hands." or as Degas said, "A picture is something which requires as much knavery, trickery, and deceit as the perpetration of a crime." [:P]
(http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4601/waitingareacancertreatmhz3.jpg)
That is a mural in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Apparently they think it beneficial and important to have something that helps create a calming and beautiful environment for their patients.
(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6082/ornateframewithfrenchcoxe4.jpg)
I bet I could do just about anything, anyone else on here can do. But how many can do that^? And if you don't think that takes any math or higher level thinking skills, you got another thing coming. I know plenty of schools that teach math and science related subjects, but not many that give a crap about helping artists reach their full potential, actually its often just the opposite.
If you don't think artistry and design are important and allow for competitive advantage, look at the computer industry and the automotive industry. They are rife with examples of function being defeated by similar function but with better artistry and design. Engineers can't do it by themselves. What an ugly, clumsy, world it would be lol.
Lets not forget the point of living, of attaining wealth, of medical science, engineering. The point of life is to live, not just exist, and what better way to live than to be surrounded with art, music, beauty, romance, joy..... If we were just animals only needing food, clothing and shelter, well we would just be animals lol. Its art and culture that set us apart.
An old proverb says, If you have but 2 pennies left, with one buy a loaf of bread, the other, a lilly.
A few quotes:
"It is art that MAKES life, makes interest, makes importance... and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process." Henry James
"The artist is the person who makes life more interesting or beautiful, more understandable or mysterious, or probably, in the best sense, more wonderful." George Bellows
"Arts a staple. Like bread or wine or a warm coat in winter. Those who think it a luxury have only a fragment of a mind. Man's spirit grows hungry for art in the sme way his stomach growls for food..." Irving Stone
one of my favorites lol. "Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic." Ambrose Bierce
"What was any art but a mold in which to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself- life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose." Willa Cather
"I hope with all my heart that there will be painting in heaven." Camille Corot, his dying words.
Ars Longa! Vita Brevis!
They could buy Bruce Goff's Tulsa Club building for starters.
I've long thought that building would be fabulous for a design institute or something of that sort.
quote:
Originally posted by pfox
They could buy Bruce Goff's Tulsa Club building for starters.
I've long thought that building would be fabulous for a design institute or something of that sort.
That would be immensely expensive! Abatement, the building being mothballed for 20 years, the elevators, and more....Once a fine Tulsa gathering place no more. No, the Brady district needs to be the focal point for this idea.
quote:
Originally posted by aoxamaxoa
quote:
Originally posted by pfox
They could buy Bruce Goff's Tulsa Club building for starters.
I've long thought that building would be fabulous for a design institute or something of that sort.
That would be immensely expensive! Abatement, the building being mothballed for 20 years, the elevators, and more....Once a fine Tulsa gathering place no more. No, the Brady district needs to be the focal point for this idea.
The Brady District would be an excellent place for it. Lots of synergies and positives for having something like that there. Near the college, near the Jazz Museum and hall of fame, and the new Symphony headquarters, PAC, the glassblowing studio, ceramics studio,etc. etc. Not to mention just being in an area that could use some new development. Are there still plans for some artists lofts in one of the old buildings down in that area?
It would be soooo nice to have a real full fledged arts district. A place where artists of all fields, writing, painting, sculpture, dance, music, performance, glass, clay, stone, etc. etc. A place where artists of any age or level, could live, learn, have studios and galleries. A place where others could go and see, buy and enjoy all kinds of arts.
Now THAT could be a really unique thing for Tulsa to showcase.
Personally, I would rather see Tulsa get a Modern Art Museum to rival some of the best in the U.S. and arts and music funded at all TPS schools.
Nice KOTV story on the OSSM. (//%22http://kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=119861%22)
just curious if anyone knows what happened with this. with all the stuff going on in brady district, this was brought to mind.
Quote from: dioscorides on April 12, 2011, 04:01:10 PM
just curious if anyone knows what happened with this. with all the stuff going on in brady district, this was brought to mind.
Per my spy it is "still in the works". That's all I've got.
I think an arts school should have synergy with the PAC and even complement the offerings there. In that regard the parking lot across the street from the main entrance would be a good location. The main entrance to the school's theater could be directly across 3rd with the rest of the school extending west to Boston. The theater could be used for community groups as well and act as a "third" performance space at the PAC (next to the large Chapman and smaller Williams theaters).
Dallas has a downtown arts high school...very contemporary
(http://architypereview.com/img/uploaded/projects/110/booker-t-01.jpg)
Quote from: Townsend on April 12, 2011, 05:16:57 PM
Per my spy it is "still in the works". That's all I've got.
thanks! i think this school would be great for tulsa. especially if it goes downtown.
Quote from: dioscorides on April 12, 2011, 05:25:36 PM
thanks! i think this school would be great for tulsa. especially if it goes downtown.
They've looked at several locations around DT. I wish I knew more and could give you some news.
Quote from: Townsend on April 12, 2011, 05:28:10 PM
They've looked at several locations around DT. I wish I knew more and could give you some news.
no worries. i'm just glad to hear the idea is still being kicked around. thanks again!
Quote from: Townsend on April 12, 2011, 05:28:10 PM
They've looked at several locations around DT. I wish I knew more and could give you some news.
Renovate the Y and put it there!
Quote from: Ibanez on April 13, 2011, 12:38:42 PM
Renovate the Y and put it there!
Brickhuggers is turning the YMCA into lofts once the hotel is completed.
That was a location they looked into though.
I have a sneaking suspicion that one of these "closed" TPS facilities Dr. Ballard mentioned today might be a home for this school....
Quote from: Kenosha on April 23, 2011, 12:06:24 AM
I have a sneaking suspicion that one of these "closed" TPS facilities Dr. Ballard mentioned today might be a home for this school....
Interesting. Reuse a school that was closed to save money to start a new one which will cost $5 million to operate annually? I'm gonna have to side with Tim on that one.
Quote from: Kenosha on April 23, 2011, 12:06:24 AM
I have a sneaking suspicion that one of these "closed" TPS facilities Dr. Ballard mentioned today might be a home for this school....
Wilson Middle School
Quote from: SXSW on April 24, 2011, 06:25:40 PM
Wilson Middle School
I was thinking that or Roosevelt.
I would think that the University of Tulsa would be a potential bidder for the Wilson Middle School property.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 25, 2011, 11:13:42 AM
I would think that the University of Tulsa would be a potential bidder for the Wilson Middle School property.
You would think so. I wonder if it would make a good new home for University School (TU's private school).
Quote from: SXSW on April 25, 2011, 01:54:56 PM
You would think so. I wonder if it would make a good new home for University School (TU's private school).
It would be pretty big for their purposes, but you could come up with multiple uses. I'm guessing there's a good shot the next owner of the property will be TU or Bama.
Quote from: Conan71 on April 25, 2011, 02:25:43 PM
It would be pretty big for their purposes, but you could come up with multiple uses. I'm guessing there's a good shot the next owner of the property will be TU or Bama.
I think University School still only goes through 8th grade, so if they want to add a High School this could give them the opportunity to do that.
Quote from: swake on April 25, 2011, 03:50:41 PM
I think University School still only goes through 8th grade, so if they want to add a High School this could give them the opportunity to do that.
I know someone who has a kid there and they said their long-range plan is to add a high school. This would give them space to consolidate into one location, as well as a gymnasium, cafeteria, athletic fields, etc. they don't currently have on the TU campus at 4th & College.
I would still prefer TSAS relocate downtown.
Quote from: SXSW on April 25, 2011, 04:20:33 PM
I know someone who has a kid there and they said their long-range plan is to add a high school. This would give them space to consolidate into one location, as well as a gymnasium, cafeteria, athletic fields, etc. they don't currently have on the TU campus at 4th & College.
I would still prefer TSAS relocate downtown.
TSAS is just in an office building at 51st and Yale. Not even a school setting. I would bet they will be moving to Grimes.
Quote from: swake on April 25, 2011, 03:50:41 PM
I think University School still only goes through 8th grade, so if they want to add a High School this could give them the opportunity to do that.
Did any of yours go to University School? My daughter got accepted but I got outvoted and she's at HH.
Quote from: guido911 on April 25, 2011, 08:21:23 PM
Did any of yours go to University School? My daughter got accepted but I got outvoted and she's at HH.
Accepted but their mother thought it too liberal. They wound up at Undercroft (talk about liberal!) then Jenks.
Montessori was a great experience and I'm proud to say in spite of the liberal image, Montessori does a fantastic job of teaching self-reliance and independence- hallmarks of great conservatives. I'm even prouder to say that my two daughters are probably even to the right of my social and fiscal thinking.
I was shocked to hear Roosevelt would be closed. I'd heard rumors an arts focused charter school was looking at a location near downtown. I was told Emerson wouldn't work and got the wink, wink that Burroughs was being considered. Since I live at Reservoir Hill I was excited about the possibility of having an arts focused school in the neighborhood. I'm trying to find out if they said no to Burroughs but yes to Roosevelt and TPS took the bait. I think an arts focused charter school would be great news for the emerging neighborhoods of Owen Park, Crosbie Heights & Brady Heights.
I'm hearing the Chamber has been very involved in this process and from what I hear it was actually good meddling this time.
I would HOPE that all those closed schools are sold to entities that pay taxes. The whole point of this Project Schoolhouse effort was financial. TPS needed to save money and restructure. Wilson Middle School is prime real estate! An entire city block on 11th street close to downtown does not come on the market very often. This is truly a once in a lifetime thing.
Does TU pay property taxes? Does OU? Do non-profits have to pay property taxes? If these entities in fact pay property taxes, do they get a special deal, or do they pay like homeowners and businesses? I went to the county tax rolls and searched two lots owned by TU, and the property tax was zero. But perhaps their taxes are rolled up into a lump sum?
As a plus, I'd like to see the properties go to entities located in Tulsa. No out-of-town owners.
I've heard all sorts of rumors concerning Wilson MS on 11th and Delaware. Bama Pie wants it. TU wants it. OU wants it. The Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless wants it. And the topper rumor, TU wants it to level it and build a parking garage because they can't on their property.
There are four or more windows busted at Wilson. I wonder if the other closed properties are suffering a similar fate.
Uh, not sure why you changed the name of the thread, and it's a bit off-topic, but I don't care if it goes to something that pays taxes or not. I'm more concerned about the use it gets. It should definitely not be torn down, and I would love for it to become the Tulsa School for the Arts.
Quote from: ZYX on June 26, 2011, 06:26:16 PM
Uh, not sure why you changed the name of the thread, and it's a bit off-topic, but I don't care if it goes to something that pays taxes or not. I'm more concerned about the use it gets. It should definitely not be torn down, and I would love for it to become the Tulsa School for the Arts.
I'm not a thread hijacker, and I don't post here much. However, other posters brought up the University School and Wilson MS, so I thought a comment on Wilson and it's future was fair game.
When I have more time, I'll create a thread on the Project Schoolhouse properties.