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Project Renovate 2011: FOTT Efforts to Renovate the Paladin Playhouse
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Monday, November 28, 2011- The $125,000 in additional funds to renovate the Paladin Playhhouse reported by Sun Sentinel journalist Michael Mayo in his November 14th article called "South Plantation High Theater Program Makes Noise For Repairs" has been confirmed.
The Friends of the Theatre and other community leaders met with school board representatives including Area Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blackburn and Facilities Project Manager Sam Bays, both of whom confirmed the approval of the capital committee's decision to fund the refurbishment of all the metal seating in the auditorium. Such refurbishment will include:
- New upholstry
- New foam cushioning
- New wood desks and hardware
- Steel Reinforcment of seating
- Sanding and re-painting of all metal bucket seats
After the seating refurbishment is complete, the district will provide new carpeting.
The district recognizes the multi-use functions of the auditorium and will strive to complete the refubishment before the end of the school year though the possibity remains that the refurbishment could extend into the summer. South Plantation's Principal, Dr. David Basile and Theater Director, Jason Zembuch, agreed to make whatever arrangements necessary, including securing a temporary home for the upcoming production of the summer musical, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, in order to allow as much access to the auditorium as possible for the contractors to complete the work.
Though the Friends of the Theatre would still like to see the "spalling" in the walls repaired and the walls themselves repainted, we understand that capital spending is currently limited specifically to issues that are ADA related (American Disabilities Act) or present an immediate safety or security hazard.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Area Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blackburn, Facilities Project Manager Sam Bays and South's Principal, Dr. David Basile, for their continued committment to South Plantation High School and look forward to seeing the end result of their persistance- an auditorium that students, faculty, parents and the school board itself can be proud of.
Read the history of Operation Renovation by clicking here. |
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November 14, 2011- The headline of Sun Sentinel columnist Michael Mayo's November 14th article read "South Plantation High Theater Program Makes Noise For Repairs". The by line: "Broward school board mulls $6 million gift to arts center, nickel-and-dimes own students". Apparently, the light shined by those words from a respected South Florida journalist was the final push needed to prompt the powers that be within the School Board of Broward County to offer additional funds to cover the cost of replacing all the dilapidated seating in the South Plantation High School Auditorium.
Excerpted from Mr. Mayo's article:
"After a flurry of activity in the past week — including inquiries from two media outlets — it seems the district has found money to fully fund the $125,000 auditorium refurbishment. School district safety director Jerry Graziose told me Monday that the budget committee last week approved $80,000 in additional funding on top of $45,000 previously approved for the renovations.
That was news to Zembuch: 'It's interesting you're hearing it before me, but that would be amazing.' "
It is with guarded enthusiasm that we welcome this news but, as the old saying goes, "the proof is in the pudding". We have yet to be officially notified of this decision nor do we have any time line for completion. Additionally, we still feel that new carpeting and a fresh coat of paint is needed to fully achieve what we feel is required to make the South Plantation High School auditorium the kind of meeting place students, faculty and the community can be proud of. If the school board can consider a $6 million donation to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, they can certainly cover the costs of new carpeting and a paint job to go along with that new seating.
So, before we pop the champaign corks to celebrate, lets stay the course and continue to let our voices be heard. And, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all our Friends of the Theatre who have carried our message for help throughout the community and beyond. Let us continue to press on till the work is done.
Read Michael Mayo's article in the Sun Sentinel by clicking here. |
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November 8, 2011: Today, theater director Jason Zembuch was called into principle David Basile's office to meet with Sam Bays, the district facilities project manager we have been working with to get South's auditorium renovated. Mr. Bays wanted an update on our fundraising efforts to determine whether or not we were going to be able to meet our goal of contributing $40k towards the renovation efforts (which we are currently working to achieve).
During the course of the discussion the topic of "stress fractures" came up, which have been a safety concern for the FOTT from the beginning. Mr. Bays went to the auditorium with Mr. Zembuch to evaluate the seating. He determined that a substantial number has the seats have these stress fractures which have caused the frames of the seating to buckle and break resulting in sharp edges that pose a danger to audience members. Mr. Bays contacted the Director of School Safety Mr. Graziose who immediately moved to shut down the auditorium. The FOTT assumes that this is because the district has finally realized what we have been saying for a year- that the renovation of the auditorium is NOT only a matter of aesthetics but more importantly a matter of SAFETY as well!!!
While the district is working on a temporary solution, which includes hammering out the sharp edges and duct taping all the affected areas (yes, literally they are DUCT TAPING the seats together!), this is further evidence that the proposed solution originally offered by the district- that of fixing only certain seats- is woefully unacceptable.
If the district had acted responsibly from the very beginning we would not be in the position we are in today. At previous meetings the FOTT was told that there was a “seat by seat” inspection at the end of the last school year. All subsequent district/FOTT discussions were based on the results of that inspection. How is it that district personnel failed to identify these stress fractures…these safety hazards? Is it possible that the inspections were actually never done? Or were the inspectors completely incompetent? It has to be one or the other. Whatever the case may be, we are beginning to think that the district wanted a pre-determined outcome to the inspection so that the result would not indicate a safety issue because if it were, the district would have to spend the money on new seating. Now, a year later, it IS a safety issue, as we have consistently stated it was.
Remarkably, the Broward School District is considering a motion to contribute $6 million dollars towards the renovation of the Broward County Performing Arts Center! Read Sun Sentinel's article, written by Michael Mayo, on the subject here. The district's consideration of contributing $6 MILLION dollars to the Broward Center's efforts while nickle and diming South Plantation High School over it's renovaton needs is simply reprehensible.
The FOTT calls on the district to immediately fund the replacement of all seating in the South Plantation High School auditorium. Duct tape, necessary as it is to proceed with upcoming SPHS events such as the in-school theater production of The Yellow Boat, the SPHS Chorus Concert, the SPHS Band Concert and the Plantation Park Elementary Chorus Concert, is the last temporary solution we wish to see. SPHS students, parents and faculty deserve better. We call on all community members, business leaders, and concerned citizens to contact the following Broward School Board representatives and demand that they act to fully renovate the South Plantation High School auditorium. Further delays are no longer acceptable. Thank you.
Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie supt_runcie@browardschools.com
School Board Representative, Maureen Dinnen: mdinnen@browardschools.com
Central Area Superintendant, Dr. Desmond K. Blackburn: desmond.blackburn@browardschools.com
Central Area Director, Carletha Shaw : carletha.shaw@browardschools.com
Director of School Safety Department, Jerry Graziose jgraziose@browardschools.com
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September 6, 2011: The Friends of the Theatre met with Dr. Blackburn and Sam Bays yesterday in the auditorium. First we cleared up the misconception some of us had regarding an item on the School Board Agenda. The School Board had put out an additional bid and received no qualified responses so they were cancelling that bid. The initial bid to repair the seating in the auditorium is still active and approved for partial funding.
The gist of yesterday's meeting is that the School Board will pay $45,000 to repair all broken chairs (360) and paint 100 of them. Dr. Blackburn has pledged $15,000 to be used at our discretion for seating or carpeting. We have $5,000 we received as a donation from Cirque. In order to replace the fabric on all of the seats we need $12,000. We are hoping to find out this week what the cost of painting all of the seats would be.
The School Board plans to do the work that is funded during the Winter Break. If we want to fund the additional fabric replacement and possibly painting all of the seats, we would have to raise the funds by October 15 in order to give the vendor ample notice.
This only fund raiser we currently have scheduled in that time period is our "Night at the Cabaret" fundraiser. We need each of you to send me (pmg.gonzo@gmail.com) the names and addresses of at least five people you are certain will pay the $100 per person reservation. This fundraiser can raise this much money with the overwhelming support of our patrons.
I am looking for someone to head up a committee to approach the business community for donations. Please respond to this email or to my email address listed above if you are willing to be a part of this letter writing and phone calling committee.
The next meeting of the Friends of the Theater is Wednesday, Sept 14, 2011, 6:30 PM, in the lobby of the auditorium. It is imperative that you attend this meeting, but we can not wait until then to start raising these funds. I realize that this opportunity arrives just as we are also raising funds to stage "Yellow Boat," I am confident we can accomplish both.
Looking forward to our refurbished theater,
Pam Gonzalez
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Wednesday, August 10, 2011- It is with great disappointment that we report that our efforts to renovate the South Plantation High School auditorium seems to have come to a stand still.
The last time SBBC representatives met with us was on March 31, 2011. That was over four months ago (and almost A YEAR since we began this campaign!) and there has been no signs of progress since. We were assured that the district would put out bids for repairing and reupholstering the theater seating and replacing the carpeting. There were indications that this work would even begin over the summer. Needless to say, this did not happen.
We have reached out to Area Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blackburn a few times over the summer only to be told that he is waiting on information from Facilities and Construction Manager Sam Bays. Mr. Bays is the district employee who oversees the bidding process. None of our emails to Mr. Bays have receieved a response.
This is a very sad turn of events given the degree of hope that the school board representatives had left us with after that last meeting in March. At that time, the district offered to contribute additional money than was originally offfered but which still fell short if we wanted brand new seating (which is what we desired). The district's offer wasn't even enough to fully restore the current seating. It was only (barely) enough to clean, repair or replace the cushions and reupholster with new fabric of the current seating and to repair and/or replace the arm rests and seat tables that are damaged or broken. With whatever money was left over the FOTT could decide to do one of two things:
- Install new carpeting or
- partially fund the repainting of the metal seat frames.
There seemed to be a concensus among the parents to have the FOTT fund raise for the difference needed to both repaint the seats and install new carpets. Theater Director Jason Zembuch also offered to review what he can contribute from the money the theater program brings in from ticket sales. To that end, we have already raised $5,000.00! In other words, we are holding up our end of the agreement.
We are quickly approaching the beginning of the first day of the 2011-2012 school year and students, staff and parents are once again going to be greeted with what you see in these pictures:
The current condition of The Paladin Playhouse is simply unacceptable. Our children and this school deserve better. We are once again asking all concerned community members and Friends of the Theater to email the following people and ask them to get this process back on track and get the Paladin Playhouse renovated. Thank you for your continued support for the arts in education.
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March 31, 2011- Members of the FOTT once again met with school board representatives including school board Area Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blakcburn and South's principle, Dr. David Basile, to discuss renovation options for the Paladin Playhouse. Here is a brief overview.
The good news is that the district is kicking in with more money than originally offered. The bad news is that it's not enough for brand new seating nor is it enough to fully restore the current seating. It is, though, enough to clean, repair or replace all the cushions, reupholster with new fabric all the seating and to repair and/or replace all arm rests and seat tables. Enough money would then be left over for the FOTT to decide to do one of two things:
- Install new carpeting or
- partially fund the repainting of the metal seat frames.
There seemed to be a concensus among the parents to have the FOTT fund raise for the difference needed to both repaint the seats and install new carpets (we're a confident group!). Theater Director Jason Zembuch also offered to review what he can contribute from the money the theater program brings in from ticket sales.
For us to achieve success, we need your help. Attend our fundraisers. Solicit corporate donations and grants. And give financially where you can. Together, we can refurbish The Paladin Playhouse, not just for our theater students, but for ALL South students. The FOTT wishes to thank Area Superintendent Blackburn, Mr. Sam Bays from the Facilities department and Dr. Basile, principal of SPHS for their vigilant efforts on our behalf. The Paladin Playhouse is a hub of activity central to the mission of South Plantation High School. Let's make it a place we can all take pride in.
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January 31, 2010- Members of the FOTT met with school board representatives including school board director Maureen Dinnen, Area Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blakcburn and South's principle, Dr. David Basile, to discuss renovation options for the Paladin Playhouse. Here is a brief overview.
Mrs. Dinnen minced no words right from the very beginning of the meeting...the budget for the upcoming year is going to be even tighter than the previous year particularly because, unlike last year when we received help from the federal government, the school board expects no such assistance this year. On top of this, they expect to have to cut another 3% - 6% next year from the current budget. These cuts have left the school board to consider projects that are limited to three specific areas:
1. Life endangering repairs
2. Health and air quality
3. General maintenance and upkeep of existing facilities.
Though the school board views the renovation of The Paladin Playhouse as a general maintenance request, we at the FOTT feel that it falls under both a life-endangering repairs (old seating that could injure or kill someone) and air quality issue (dust mites and mold in the carpeting and seat cushions).
The SBBC is going to have a team come out and re-evaluate the auditorium by Friday specifically for these safety issues. We expect a report back soon thereafter.
In the meantime, the capital budget committee has alloted $45k to fix half the seats in the auditorium based on the bid below as proposed by SBBC authorized vendor Contract Solutions. (click here to see bid proposal).
A proposal to replace the carpeting in the Paladin Playhouse for $17k was denied. Instead, SBBC employees will be instructed to patch the areas of carpeting that is damaged.
We at the FOTT believe that a more competitive bidding process than what was explained to us needs to be implemented and that, if implemented, could lead to more competitive bids to do the whole auditorium, not just half. The FOTT also has concerns regarding how the auditorium will appear with half the seating being repaired and the other half remaining seedy looking. SBBC representatives are going to look into a new bidding process that they have recently implemented to see if it is feasible for this particular project.
We at the FOTT will continue to work with the SBBC to achieve the goal of an auditorium renovation and appreciate the fact that Mrs. Dinnen, Dr. Blackburn and Dr. Basile took the time to sit with us and hear our concerns. It is out hope that in working together, we can come up with a solution that delivers the renovated auditorium the students at South deserve. If any concerned party believes the above information has not been accurately presented please feel free to email the webmaster for correction. |
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January 13, 2011- This morning several parents from the FOTT and PTSO met with Dr. Basile, principal of South Plantation High School, for an update on our request to have the Paladin Playhouse auditorium renovated.
Dr. Basile was very supportive of our efforts to renovate the auditorium. He has been in communication with several district managers from different departments, all of whom play a role in the SBBC process of evaluating the current state of the facility and making recommendations. This review process is now complete and the options (as we understand them), from least to most expense, are as follows:
- Fixing only the most damaged seating
- Refurbishing all seating and repairing carpeting.
- Replacing all seating and carpeting.
These options will now be submitted to a committee that decides how much money we will be provided. Of course, how much money we are granted will determine which of these three options will be selected.
Needless to say, we believe that option one would be woefully unacceptable. Given the degree of excellence South Plantation High School theater is known for (already featured ABC's on World News Tonight!) and it's Magnet status, we are hoping for either a modified option 2 (refurbish ALL current seating and REPLACE the carpeting) or option 3, and hope that those who are making these decisions agree.
The committee meeting that will decide this convenes on January 27th. No specifics were provided as to the time or location of the meeting or whether or not it is open to the public. We will keep you informed as we learn more.
The South Plantation High School Friends of the Theatre would like to thank Dr. Basile for his support of our efforts to have the auditorium renovated and for taking the time to meet with us this morning. We also thank Central Area Superintendent Desmond Blackburn for his responsiveness to our communications and addressing this need, all the SBBC employees involved in evaluating the condition of our auditorium and of course, our parents who took time off from work to attend this meeting.
We trust that the district evaluators saw what we see every day...a 40 year old facility that is clearly showing it's age both physically and aesthetically and a student body and faculty deserving of better. |
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The arrival of a new year brings with it a new challenge. South Plantation High School will be celebrating it’s 40th birthday on February 19th 2011. This is a milestone that only serves to highlight our challenge- that of the need for an interior renovation of the Paladin Playhouse.
The South Plantation High School auditorium probably looked very sharp when it was first unveiled 40 years ago. Today, it is an embarrassment to the students, the faculty and the School Board of Broward County. We’re not just talking about it being an eyesore, though it is definitely that with its stained and ripped carpets and filthy, torn seating upholstery. The facility has become a liability…a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Students, teachers, theater-goers and visitors of all kinds find themselves tripping over the ragged and fraying carpets. Students as well as guests coming to see the award winning performances that the Paladin Player’s produce have literally had the seats drop out from right underneath them because the hardware is old and broken. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.
These are pictures recently taken of the auditorium. Take a look for yourself at it’s condition.
The Paladin Playhouse is often the first impression of South Plantation High School that is made upon a visitor. In fact, at 7pm on January 19th , South will be hosting its “Magnet Experience” for “incoming students and parents who want to gain an overview of the academic, athletic and activity programs at the school.” What impression will be left on these incoming parents and students?
It’s not only parents and students that are exposed to the visual offense and dangers of South’s auditorium. The Paladin Playhouse hosts many school board sponsored events including virtual seminars and school board workshops. How does the fallen state of the Paladin Playhouse reflect upon South? What message does it send?
The current condition of The Paladin Playhouse is simply unacceptable. The upcoming production of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” and it’s unique, platformed “in the round” seating presents the best window of opportunity for the School Board to get the ball rolling on renovating the Paladin Playhouse without disrupting upcoming events. The status quo is no longer acceptable. The time to act is now. For the safety of all who utilize it, renovate the South Plantation High School auditorium. Please email the following people and ask them to help us get the Paladin Playhouse renovated.
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