John Rex Elementary

[BoulderSooner]

I believe this is true.

Further, I have not seen any pattern of acquisition in the C2S area. For the most part, all those smaller properties are under separate ownership and by the same people that have owned them for some time.

And keep in mind that any sort of real development in that area is likely 2-3 decades into the future.

just a note .. at the last ED trust meeting the passed approval for OCURA to acquire property surrounding the park

[gracefor24]

Sounds pretty fluid, like a typical charter school, to me. Even magnet schools tend to be that way - I grew up going to Westmoore High, but the girl who lived down the street actually transfered into OKCPS to go to Classen SAS, for example.

They're going to be getting pretty creative to come up with an enrollment of 500 when only 120 live in the area. Let's not understate the significance of almost 4 in 5 kids having to be found outside of the immediate vicinity or what would be considered the "district" of a normal grade school.

Wasn't trying to understate it, just a reminder that it's not completely "open". The hope is that with Downtown growth they can fill the school with just residents and kids of downtown workers. They definitely won't fill it just within their boundaries but that doesn't mean they don't have any either.

[Midtowner]

Wasn't trying to understate it, just a reminder that it's not completely "open". The hope is that with Downtown growth they can fill the school with just residents and kids of downtown workers. They definitely won't fill it just within their boundaries but that doesn't mean they don't have any either.

The specific charter (proposed) will allow for 500 students, 175 coming from specifically the downtown area. I'm not sure that's lawful. Especially after core-to-shore gets up and running. The statutes (here) http://www.oscn.net/applications/osc...?CiteID=104641 only allow for setting a geographic boundary within a school district for two reasons: 1) to comply with a federal court order or agreement involving desegregation/civil rights/etc, or in "academic enterprise zones" in which 60% of eligible children must qualify for free and reduced lunch. Once downtown housing really becomes developed, unless the boundaries are drawn to include some poorer neighborhoods, I have a hard time seeing how they are going to meet that criterion. They may meet it now, but it would certainly be open to challenge at a later date, and OKCPS would certainly be wise to challenge that charter in court.

[gracefor24]

The specific charter (proposed) will allow for 500 students, 175 coming from specifically the downtown area. I'm not sure that's lawful. Especially after core-to-shore gets up and running. The statutes (here) http://www.oscn.net/applications/osc...?CiteID=104641 only allow for setting a geographic boundary within a school district for two reasons: 1) to comply with a federal court order or agreement involving desegregation/civil rights/etc, or in "academic enterprise zones" in which 60% of eligible children must qualify for free and reduced lunch. Once downtown housing really becomes developed, unless the boundaries are drawn to include some poorer neighborhoods, I have a hard time seeing how they are going to meet that criterion. They may meet it now, but it would certainly be open to challenge at a later date, and OKCPS would certainly be wise to challenge that charter in court.

Great points. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[betts]

The minute you have 176 children living within the downtown area, a lawsuit will be filed. So, you're right Midtowner, better to do it earlier than later.

[Spartan]

Since when did the law dictate what the powers that be do?

[Frustratedoptimist]

Thanks Larry. If that timeline is correct and our house sells, its hello SOSA, hello Rex Elem. and goodbye commute and suburbia.

[G.Walker]

Didn't TAP reveal plans last night to the public?

http://newsok.com/first-maps-for-kid...rticle/3681322

[Just the facts]

Must say I am not a fan of the name either. Better names would be

Land Run Elementary
Center City Elementary
P.S. #1
Central Elementary
Myriad Elementary
Film Elementary
California/Sheridan/Walker/Dewey Elementary (unless one of those street names are already being used)
Stage Elementary

Names should reflect sequence, location, origin, or function.

[Midtowner]

Since when did the law dictate what the powers that be do?

When there are competing powers that be, the law pretty much dictates what they do.

In this case, the Chairwoman of the School Board, Ms. Monson isn't exactly beholden to the real-estate development community considering she beat one in securing her job.

[LandRunOkie]

So out of curiosity, what are the mandatory attendance boundaries for this school? I hope they go to at least Western and SW 3rd, so the residential development in c2s can be family oriented.

[shawnw]

I thought it was going to be a charter school, so no boundaries... basing this on Aztec being a charter school and that I've had friends in Blanchard send their kids there...

[LandRunOkie]

The school boundaries finally emerged from the smoke and mirrors. See here. A couple of curveballs being thrown: Shartel is the western boundary instead of Western. The boulevard is the southern boundary instead of I-40. What about SoSA? What about Core 2 Shore??

[G.Walker]

The school boundaries finally emerged from the smoke and mirrors. See here. A couple of curveballs being thrown: Shartel is the western boundary instead of Western. The boulevard is the southern boundary instead of I-40. What about SoSA? What about Core 2 Shore??

I like design Scheme 3, looks more urban, and its larger, with 3 floors...

[Pete]

Here are the four options:

[catch22]

I like Scheme 1. Streetwall is to the sidewalk and is generally uniform along it. Will create a good urban corner on Sheridan and Walker.

[Larry OKC]

Opens - August 2014

MAPS for Kids is only 4 years behind schedule (not counting whatever timeline the Admin building is on).

[Mr. Cotter]

I hope the "Music & Art" Block will be devided into two classrooms. It would be disapointing to see Music and Art sharing a room in a new building. The needs of these activities are very different, and each deserve their own dedicated space, even if the music and art teachers are not full time positions.

[G.Walker]

According to the OKC Metropolitan Area Public Schools Trust Agenda on 08/14/2012, the scope of the school has greatly increased. To sum it up, the new downtown school went from $9M to $14.25M, and increased by 24,500SF to 79,000SF, as proposed by the OKC Quality Schools, Inc., this ultimately is good news, and if I am reading the docs correctly, this proposal and funding has already been approved.

[metro]

I like Scheme 1. Streetwall is to the sidewalk and is generally uniform along it. Will create a good urban corner on Sheridan and Walker.

I agree. So since its the most urban that means its unlikely they'll pick it.

[Spartan]

I like 1 or 2. 2 would be 3 levels, so I tend to think it might actually have the most significant presence anchoring the urban street corner that they've selected to focus on.

[CuatrodeMayo]

3. I prefer more dynamic forms over the traditional layout.

[Watson410]

Scheme 1 FOR SURE!!! It would definitely create more of an urban feel at Sheridan/Walker and also Dewey/Sheridan once the gym is built. Scheme 1 would also push parents picking up/dropping off their kids and school buses towards the middle of the the facility instead of kids running around in the streets and along the sidewalks downtown from 8-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m., BOTH busy times downtown.

[Watson410]

The one thing I like about the others is they are three levels. I'm definitely a height kind of guy.

[Spartan]

They chose the three level alternative. Looking at the preliminary renders... can you say LEVEL Elementary?? lol