There was a story last week in the state press about how school districts are now competing over who has the fanciest video scoreboards at athletic facilities. I know, we’re supposed to believe that public schools are really hurting for the money they need to provide such basics as teachers.
Monday brings us a story in the Dallas Morning News headlined: “Rockwall ISD opens school year with new aquatic center, new school, renovated stadium” Here are parts of the story:
“The Rockwall school district has a new aquatic center, a $17 million jewel… Among other features, the center has a 50-meter competitive pool and a smaller one for swim lessons, athletic rehabilitation and therapy.”
“The aquatic center is just one of the new buildings up and running in the Rockwall school district, including a vastly renovated sports stadium and a new school… More construction is planned: A new 1,500-seat performing arts center is on track to open at Rockwall Heath High School.., to be followed by a similar center at…” another school.
“Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium, [for football] has been renovated and offers media camera decks, press and coaches’ rooms, and a community and VIP box… The stadium will hold about 10,000, and there are plans to add end-zone bleachers for sellout games,” the story added later.
From ultra-property poor districts with horrible academic and dropout records installing giant video scoreboards for community pride in the Rio Grande Valley, to suburban districts, who have frankly been the loudest at screaming about being broke, building show places instead of basic schools, the district themselves are doing plenty to tell us they don’t have a money problem, they have a priority problem.
