Cheap new buildings?

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I don’t think any candidate can have all the answers, all the insights, and all the perspectives.  That’s why campaigning is such an important part of the Democratic process: it affords opportunities to learn information that might not be readily available to the public.  Last night, while campaigning, I heard from more than three different people about the substandard quality of several new buildings in CPS—from people claiming to be teachers, as well as construction union members.

Here’s what people are telling me on the street: that several new buildings are fraught with substandard workmanship, materials, and so forth.  I’ve heard about new buildings with leaky roofs, new buildings with concrete already falling off the walls, substandard plumbing systems springing leaks, floor tiles that have already failed to withstand the foot traffic, and more.  I heard union members talking about new buildings that they heard are likely to fail upcoming inspections due to the district not hiring the right people to get the job done.

So is any of this true?  The teachers and union members who told me this were not together, yet their different stories all included the same details.  In any event, if details like this are spreading through the community, don’t the voters have the right to know the whole truth about what’s happening with the physical structure of the new buildings?

Think about it:  if there is no truth to these stories, then revealing the truth would stop a dangerous rumor from circulating in the district during an election year for a school levy.  On the other hand, if the stories are accurate, we deserve to know the truth so we can rally to the support of improved workmanship and needed repairs for the benefit of students housed in these buildings.

In the upcoming weeks, I intend to reach out to existing school board candidates, area media, and the current board members—hoping to coordinate a public interest showcase addressing these concerns.