CASE STUDY: Belen Consolidated Schools, Belen, NM
CASE STUDY DETAILS: [Note that Belen Consolidated Schools, the people mentioned in this case, and some of the situations are real. However, this information is being used as a course exercise without contact with those mentioned. Quotations without references are fictional.]
The Belen Superintendent of Schools, Kenny Griego, keeps a close eye on the population growth of the Belen area. He knows that someday Belen will become a suburb of Albuquerque, 32 miles north. Already Belen attracts families whose primary jobs are located in Albuquerque but who want a rural environment for raising their children. Belen also has a significant community of retired people who live across the river in the Rio Communities. Crime is down in Belen, and Kenny's main concerns involve school discipline and maintenance problems.
Recently the a Valencia County News staff writer reported that the school board "Approved the repair of the softball and baseball fields that were damaged in the recent floods" (Schlotfedt, 2006, "In other action" ¶3). However, "Board member Sam Chavez stated his concerns over spending $34,000 to repair the fields if the problem that caused the damage isn't looked at and corrected also" (¶4). "'The city said it was a design flaw with the size of the culverts,' Chavez said. 'Every time it rains, it becomes a problem. I want to ensure we do something proactive to keep it from happening again.'" (¶6).
During his R&A interview, Kenny laughed about the rain comment. "Towns in the flat lands from the Texas Panhandle through Arizona all have flooding because of rains. Generally, local governments do not have the political support to pay for effective drainage systems because we just do not get enough rain to pay for moving water in flat areas. Those born here are careful to avoid arroyos, but otherwise the dry climate dries out the puddles fast enough."
As a Rodgers & Associates client, Kenny needs two documents, a letter and a report.
The first document Kenny needs is a letter on district letterhead addressed to the school board member, Sam Chavez. This letter must assure Chavez that a report is forthcoming about dealing with the ball fields and culvert.
The second document Kenny needs is a report offering at least three options he can forward to the school board to deal with the ball fields situation. He wants all three options to be reasonable, but at least one must include an expense limit of $34,000, the expected insurance claim adjustment. Kenny stated, "The report must take into account Sam's concerns. His ideas must be respected."
Reference: Schlotfeldt, J. (2006, December 31). Performing arts building, field house on wish list for Belen Schools. Valencia County News-Bulletin.com. Retrieved December 31, 2006, from http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/67773-12-30-06.html
Teacher Options: Provide a letter and/or report for students to edit or have students do the research and write the these on their own.
Use the drop-down list in the navigation bar to access other case studies.
The Belen Superintendent of Schools, Kenny Griego, keeps a close eye on the population growth of the Belen area. He knows that someday Belen will become a suburb of Albuquerque, 32 miles north. Already Belen attracts families whose primary jobs are located in Albuquerque but who want a rural environment for raising their children. Belen also has a significant community of retired people who live across the river in the Rio Communities. Crime is down in Belen, and Kenny's main concerns involve school discipline and maintenance problems.
Recently the a Valencia County News staff writer reported that the school board "Approved the repair of the softball and baseball fields that were damaged in the recent floods" (Schlotfedt, 2006, "In other action" ¶3). However, "Board member Sam Chavez stated his concerns over spending $34,000 to repair the fields if the problem that caused the damage isn't looked at and corrected also" (¶4). "'The city said it was a design flaw with the size of the culverts,' Chavez said. 'Every time it rains, it becomes a problem. I want to ensure we do something proactive to keep it from happening again.'" (¶6).
During his R&A interview, Kenny laughed about the rain comment. "Towns in the flat lands from the Texas Panhandle through Arizona all have flooding because of rains. Generally, local governments do not have the political support to pay for effective drainage systems because we just do not get enough rain to pay for moving water in flat areas. Those born here are careful to avoid arroyos, but otherwise the dry climate dries out the puddles fast enough."
As a Rodgers & Associates client, Kenny needs two documents, a letter and a report.
The first document Kenny needs is a letter on district letterhead addressed to the school board member, Sam Chavez. This letter must assure Chavez that a report is forthcoming about dealing with the ball fields and culvert.
The second document Kenny needs is a report offering at least three options he can forward to the school board to deal with the ball fields situation. He wants all three options to be reasonable, but at least one must include an expense limit of $34,000, the expected insurance claim adjustment. Kenny stated, "The report must take into account Sam's concerns. His ideas must be respected."
Reference: Schlotfeldt, J. (2006, December 31). Performing arts building, field house on wish list for Belen Schools. Valencia County News-Bulletin.com. Retrieved December 31, 2006, from http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/67773-12-30-06.html
Teacher Options: Provide a letter and/or report for students to edit or have students do the research and write the these on their own.
Use the drop-down list in the navigation bar to access other case studies.
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©Ida L. Rodgers, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Updated January 15, 2012
Updated January 15, 2012