AISD Notebook

An overnight fire at Casis Elementary in West Austin on October 21 damaged two classrooms before burning itself out. If the blaze, caused by an overhead projector, hadn't managed itself, God only knows how long it would have been before someone noticed the joint was on fire, for Casis is one of about 25 AISD schools without a fire alarm.

At the risk of sounding like an apologist for this unfortunate and dangerous situation, it should be noted that this information has not been hidden from the public -- and there is a plan to correct it. In 1993, a performance review of AISD by Texas State Comptroller John Sharp revealed that out of 96 AISD campuses, 26 had manual fire alarm systems, eight had partial systems, and 30 had none. As Austin's fire code evolved over the years, new or renovated schools had to come into compliance with new, stricter standards, but older schools did not. According to the performance review, the estimated cost of installing automatic fire and intrusion protection in all schools was almost $1.5 million.

But interestingly enough, the Sharp report did not recommend that AISD make this expenditure. Why not? Two possible reasons: First, Sharp's performance reviews make the best political brickbats when savings are emphasized, and second, AISD officials had long planned to include fire alarms in a package for school bonds, but it took over three years after the performance review to develop and pass the bonds. Fire protection is a part of renovations at every campus in AISD.

Also in the Delayed Outrage Dept. is the matter of recent breaches in school safety and security. We're up to two attempted sexual assaults and three stabbings so far this year. Funny you should ask if AISD officials had ever thought about heading off trouble like this. They held a series of Safe Schools Community Forums in Spring 1995, which were met by a big ho-hum from the public -- fewer than 25 parents showed up. The safe schools initiative was then rolled into the district's Comprehensive Planning process (and perhaps that's a good place for it). Maybe it's human nature not to worry much about a problem before it happens. And just as human to allege that others weren't prepared when it does happen.

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At its regular meeting on Monday, the AISD Board of Trustees debated allowing campuses to impose a policy for student uniforms, but did not vote on the matter. During citizens' communications, two speakers appeared on this issue -- young Chris Kumbera and his mom, D.M. Cassity. Their points of view broke down rather predictably. "I don't see why wearing uniforms will help us educate our students," the child said. "I think for one time, you guys have come up with a decent idea," said his mother, as the boy looked on and shook his head. "It gets rid of the class issue between students."

Though the new state education code seems to permit schools to actually require uniforms, AISD Superintendent Jim Fox said he strongly believes the policy should be voluntary at every campus, adding that he thinks that portion of the law won't hold up in court. With the exception of trustee Tom Agnor (and Liz Hartman, who was absent from the meeting), every member weighed in on the matter. Geoff Rips, Travis Heights resident and admitted representative of the contingent of "aging hippies," jocularly noted that he'd taken several phone calls from Ted Whatley's Tarrytown district on this question. Rips wondered if uniforms would actually just gloss over the problem -- and interfere with kids' ability to learn to deal with the world.

Whatley, former headmaster of St. Mark's, a Dallas private school, said he thinks uniforms are "a pretty good idea," though AISD staff has "oversold" the notion that research exists to prove that uniforms reduce discipline problems and promote a team spirit. Indeed, as schools in Texas, California, Oregon, South Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania (to name a few) try on school uniforms, the evidence of its efficacy remains mostly anecdotal -- but it may be enough to support such a policy, anyway. And what are the plusses? Discipline problems are reduced. Younger children, especially, often embrace wearing polo shirts printed with the school name, and parents are relieved of the financial burden of keeping up with brand names.

In other business, the board approved enhanced high school graduation plans for the Class of 2001, hired new principals for Crockett High and Palm Elementary, approved classroom addition designs for Bedichek Middle School and Langford and Linder Elementaries; awarded contracts for additions at Cook, Wooldridge, Boone, and Kocurek Elementaries; and gave the nod to get started on developing two new elementary schools on land AISD currently owns in Northeast and Southwest Austin.