Students to fill Kmart stores in overcrowded district

[Rose Siding]

BONITA SPRINGS, Florida (AP) -- Lines of students instead of shoppers will fill two Kmart stores when county officials convert them into schools by 2005.

Faced with overcrowded classrooms, Lee County officials agreed to buy the vacant buildings last week. Renovating them will be slightly less expensive than building new ones, and since the structures are already in place they can open sooner.

"If we don't use facilities like Kmart, our overcrowding will be horrendous," Estero High Principal Fred Bode said. "We need to get beyond the aesthetics of a school."

The vacant Kmart buildings were bought for $11.6 million, and officials expect site work, remodeling and furniture to cost an additional $17.4 million. They are supposed to open by August 2005.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/12/30/school.conversion.ap/index.html

[mmm]

1. I hope they keep the Blue Light Special

Today: Why not try our signature sub samiches, only 99 cents;
buy three, get a free large fountain-drink!(WOW!)
Only at your Kmart/School!

[Robb]

2. "We need to get beyond the aesthetics of a school."

Hell, most public schools look like ball bearing factories anyhow. :shrug:

[headlouse]

3. exactly what I was thinking

It's hard to think of a school (besides some collages) that are aesthetically pleasing. Hey maybe we can change that and have Frank Geary design a school for them!

[Ernesto]

4. What we really need is empty Wally World stores

turned into schools.

[jimbo fett]

5. Maybe it's like swords into plowshares....

Turning stores into schools sounds much better than having yet another store in the neighborhood.

Now, if we could only convert Republican Party HQs into schools!!!

[Thor_MN]

9. Nope, Hazardous waste cleanup would be too expensive.

Better to use them as something more in line with their original purpose, like a sewage treatment plant or landfill.

[SoCalDem]

6. Actually, this is a good idea..

We have an empty Home Base building that has sat vacant for almost 2 years now.. Right next to it is a 4=plex theatre..alaso vacant for 2 yrs.. That site would make an excellent school.. Tons of parking, and easy access..

I would rather see them turned into schools , than to have them sit empty, while we continue to build "trailer" schools all over the place..

[truthspeaker]

7. get them used to K-Mart style buildings

because those will be the only jobs available when they graduate.

[Voltaire99]

8. My thinking exactly.

Might as well set up an Army obstacle course in the parking lot, too. They can practice maneuvers during recess.

[lostnfound]

10. Gee, Walmart would have the RFID equipment in place already, too! nt

[Bamboo]

11. My bluelight brings all the boys to the yard.

Florida passed several liberal amendments recently like high speed rail,class size reduction and workplace smoking ban.Jeb was reelected at the same time opposing these plans so I guess that we want mommy to take care of us but daddy to say when enough is enough.The jackpot mentality brings people to Florida and they act it out in the voting booth also.How come conservatives talk about a work ethic then expect that giant cardboard check,they are all going to Heaven as well and are dating supermodels.