Pregny Campus, Geneva,
4 December 2000

 
 
To:
The Campus Development Group
Pregny Campus
International School of Geneva
route de Pregny 14
1292 Chambésy

 
 
Dear Pregny-Rigot-Grand Saconnex CDG

We are writing to ask you if you would call a meeting with parents as soon as possible to discuss the plan to build a new campus. We would like you to invite the two Governing Board members who represent Pregny, Rigot and Grand Saconnex as well.

Our concern about the plan has two aspects:

• The possible effect on Pregny, Rigot and the Grand Saconnex extension (including the effect of construction work on the GS extension, as well as broader implications)
• The implications for our children and our families when our children move on after Pregny-Grand Saconnex to LC and LGB.

At the Extraordinary Consultative General Assembly on 28 November, the board said campus CDGs would consult with parents about the plan. We think this is a good opportunity to discuss the plan with Pregny, Rigot and Grand Saconnex parents.

Those of us who attended the 28 November meeting left with a large number of questions unanswered, mainly because the replies from the board were vague. We hope that the coming consultations will provide clearer information. Among the questions that concern us are:

• Was a proper financial feasibility study conducted on the various options before the tentative decision was reached? If it was, what were the financial implications? If not, why not?
• What kind of demographic study and forecast of student numbers was undertaken, and what was the result?

• A number of questions were asked in the meeting about the educational and social implications of the various options. The answers we received were assertions based on faith rather than assessments based on study — a surprising response from the top decision-making body of an educational institution. We would like to know what has been done to try to answer those questions from current knowledge in educational science, including the experiences of other schools, and what this might mean for the plan.
• What is the board’s response to the argument that it wants to drop the present philosophy —education in a community atmosphere that also provides some autonomy and offers families choice between the campuses — in favour of homogeneous foundation-wide "factory" schooling?
• Most parents are unconvinced that the proposed site is large enough for the planned number of students, let alone any further expansion. What precisely are the reasons for the board’s confidence? Will the board continue to look for other sites?
• Why did the board decide to go ahead with the architectural competition based on a particular model (10–13), without any consultation with the school communities, and before (according to the board’s own account) it had reached a final decision on the option? If the board then chooses a different option, e.g. kindergarten–13, the costs could turn out higher (or the design worse) than if the competition had been for the best option. This looks like an irresponsible use of our money.
• If parents remain solidly opposed to the board’s proposals, will the board change its plans?
• In order to help us plan our children’s future education, what are the two most likely scenarios — including timelines — for moving specific classes to other campuses?
• What assurances can the board give us that our own long term plans will not be unnecessarily disrupted by the school springing on us surprise changes of direction?

These are only some of the questions we would like to ask. We sincerely hope that we can receive more substantial replies than we have so far.

Yours sincerely