A much-discussed topic ahead of the election is the lack of primary school capacity. The three groups running for office have jointly presented several options, but after the election we will all have to work together to find the right solution. And it should be quick, because in September 2025 we will only be able to accept 12 children in the first class unless the existing school is expanded. We at ŽIJME SPOLEČNĚ are open to any constructive debate on any option that will lead not only to the expansion of Key Stage 1 but more importantly to the construction of Key Stage 2. However, it should be realistic and supported by facts. We can probably already agree that we are being forced to expand the school in phases and the vision of one nine year old school building on a new site does not seem very realistic at present.
According to the demographic study, by 2030 the number of children aged 6-10 years (first grade of primary school) will reach a maximum of 370. This is an extreme assumption, but may not come true given the current decline in construction. However, from our point of view it would be irresponsible and uneconomical to build a school for this maximum number of children when after a few years the number of children starts to decline. We see it as more sensible to design the capacity of the first grade to about 270 children, i.e. 2 classes in each of the five grades, so that the sustainability of the investment is at least 10 years. For the rest of the children who will not be able to get to our school in the limited period of the highest growth, i.e. according to the estimates a maximum of 20 children per grade, we want to find places in nearby schools. Our preference is to be able to place these children together in one institution to maintain community and togetherness. We have already been able to negotiate a commitment to place 15-20 children in the first class at Rudná 5 May Primary School in each subsequent year - i.e. a total of 100 children in grades 1-5. The advantage of Rudná Primary School is that we could practically create a class there only from children from our village.
With the increase in capacity, we also need to think about the quality of teaching. We don't want to reduce ourselves to simply counting children to capacity. We need to look for a solution with at least acceptable conditions. Do you know that already now, after the necessary increase in the current capacity to 150 children, we are already in a situation where the changing rooms will have to be located in the corridors, there is only one toilet for 20 teachers, or that because of the small capacity of the canteen, the children have 15 minutes for lunch in order to change? It's not just about creating classrooms. The school lacks facilities such as changing rooms, toilets, classrooms, assembly hall, canteen capacity. Now the school has only 7 tribal classrooms, but they are not all full-fledged. The attic classrooms have a capacity of 20 pupils, the others have a maximum of 25 pupils.
There is only a 2018 volume study for this option, which only addresses the expansion of two kindergarten classes and does not address the capacity of the elementary school at all. We also considered the option of using the OU building to expand the primary school before commissioning the study for the new pavilion in the garden. However, there were and are several major complications. The municipal office would have to be completely relocated to other premises, which the municipality does not currently have. The option of relocating to the vacant premises in the centre built by Crestyl with an area of 200 m2 is insufficient for a full-fledged office, including a post office. The cost here would be at least 20 million CZK. In the newly built ABANO project, the municipality has the opportunity to buy only 100 m2 of non-residential space for 6 million CZK (now intended as a community centre). Further expansion is possible only under market conditions, i.e. 120 000,- CZK. CZK/m2 which would mean an additional 18 million CZK extra without modifications and equipment.
Although we first thought of this option, we have already worked on its assessment and cannot offer it to the citizens. It was not recommended by the designer Ing. Padevet because of structural problems with the bridging and complex modification of the existing office building, which would have to be demolished and then significantly expanded. Such a reconstruction would ultimately be more expensive than a new building. There would also be a reduction in the number of parking spaces at the school and a worsening of the morning traffic situation.
The modular building is designed for greater carrying capacity, including the possibility of a second floor. During construction we wanted to make preparations for a staircase, but no suitable location was found because the original design and studies did not provide for it. In the case of the extension, it will be necessary to find a suitable location not only for the staircase but also for the lift. The removal of the connecting neck is a possibility, but this would mean that the two phases would lose their connection and the passage to the garden would have to be removed. This location would allow for the construction of two additional kindergarten classrooms or a minimum of two elementary school classrooms with locker rooms and classrooms.
We could then move two kindergarten classes out of the elementary school building to make room for a daycare. The location of the primary school classrooms on the ground floor is problematic due to the lack of daylight. By enlarging the windows, the space could be expanded by one classroom. The other part would probably have to be used, due to hygiene requirements, because of the lack of changing rooms and toilets.
If the extension of the new kindergarten were to be used for part of the first grade, we would need to address staffing, catering and PE instruction. Commuting to and from the existing school would be very complicated in terms of time and organisation.
Finally, it should be pointed out that this completely inadequate and, in our view, inappropriate solution would be very costly. The newly built kindergarten would have to be expensively modified, including the removal of the roof, which would subsequently be unusable. The second phase alone, which extended the U lesa kindergarten by two classes, cost 34 million CZK. A similar amount can be expected for the extension to the first floor.
Of all the options, this is the most suitable and ready option. The detailed design is ready and the building permit has been applied for, i.e. we can start building in a few months. Completion could be achieved by September 2025 when we desperately need new premises to provide schooling for our catchment children. If the building cannot be completed in time we are prepared to provide temporary teaching in other temporary premises. The design of the new pavilion addresses 4 new classrooms, cloakrooms, classrooms, assembly room, as well as an extension to the dining hall and kitchen. Capacity would be increased by 120 pupils, thus completing the first stage. In the future, if the number of pupils drops permanently, it will be possible to use the pavilion for other purposes thanks to a separate building and entrance. Of course, the construction will reduce the garden, which is necessary for the expansion, but the remaining area will still be sufficient. We plan to make better use of it, for example, by building new play elements and rest areas.
The municipality has already invested 1.7 million CZK in this project, which was approved by the majority of the councillors last year (the list can be found in the minutes of the AGM No. 10/2023). It is therefore surprising that it is only now that proposals for a different solution have been put forward by some candidates.
For the second stage we have recently managed to acquire a plot of land which is still arable land. In the completed new master plan for public hearing, this area is designated for civic amenities. The new council can approve the new site plan after the public hearing. However, due to the risks to the municipality arising from the contract with the developer, we recommend that this be done by mutual agreement. However, we cannot imagine a situation where the developer would prevent the construction of a primary school built for its customers.
However, we are already working on a study of the proposed use of the entire site to identify options for the location of other necessary amenities. The remaining part of the site could also be used for commercial development of amenities and the sale could finance part of the construction of the new school.
It makes no sense to build a second phase without expanding the first. Starting this year we need to open two first grades at all times to ensure that the second grade is filled. It is up for consideration whether to build the second grade in a 3x4 classroom concept. Then we could accept all the children in the catchment area into the second grade, i.e. even those who will be in the first grade in another school (e.g. Rudná Primary School 5 May). After reducing the number of our children, we could offer the free capacities to the neighbouring municipalities that have only the first grade, for the provided contribution. There would be a better chance of getting a subsidy for a school of this size.
At this time there are no available area grants suitable for building either a first or second grade. We could only count on a county contribution of about 10 million CZK. This is an interesting amount for the first stage, but insufficient for the second stage. We are communicating with the Ministry of Education and the region and will use every opportunity to obtain any suitable subsidy. However, we cannot just wait for this type of subsidy, we need to get to a high stage of readiness and then negotiate the subsidy for a specific project with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance. That is why we are investing effort and time in these initiatives now. If a subsidy for a bundled school were announced, we would certainly take the opportunity to join with Mezouní or other smaller municipalities that would not take up much capacity for our children, but thanks to their participation in the bundle we would get up to 85% of the subsidy instead of 70%. We have already discussed this possibility with Mezouní and fully support it.
Another way to temporarily finance the construction of the school could be the participation of a strategic investor. This form is already emerging in some municipalities. In this case, the investor finances the construction and the municipality repays the investment in the form of a lease. If a suitable subsidy is available, it is then possible to buy the finished school using the subsidy funds.
We are aware of the seriousness of the situation with regard to the responsible financing of the construction of both the first and the second primary school. We do not want to exhaust ourselves by building a new first grade pavilion and then not be able to co-finance the construction of the second grade using the grant. At the same time, however, we cannot wait for a miracle and must strive to ensure the legal obligation of school education.
We are pleased that all the candidates list schools as a priority, even though the leaders of some of them have spoken out in recent months against the intensive investment in education for this year and have pushed for road repairs instead. Now, before the elections, they are coming up with their own options, but an objective and rational look does not show a concrete and conceptual solution.
We will believe that there has been a change of mind and that these are not mere election promises. We would be happy to sit down together at the same table and put all the arguments on the table and agree on what is the best solution for this municipality and for dealing with its legal obligation.
We are open to any opinion or idea from citizens. We know that there are many professionals who live in our community who should be given the opportunity to weigh in on this issue. We would love to have your input, after all, we are one of you!
A repeatedly discussed and resonating topic in Vysoký Újezd is the issue of the lack of educational infrastructure. The primary school became the number one topic among the wider public, especially after an information meeting for parents of preschoolers was held on 5 February 2024. At ŽIJME SPOLEČNĚ, we are basing this on factual and complete information, so we will try to outline it for you in this way.
In the words of the law
The basic fact is that the municipality, in accordance with Section 178(1) of Act No. 561/2004 Coll., is obliged to ensure the conditions for the fulfilment of compulsory school attendance of children with permanent residence on its territory. In accordance with Section 179(2), the municipality is also obliged to ensure the conditions for pre-school education of children preferentially admitted pursuant to Section 34(3) of the Education Act, i.e. children who will reach at least three years of age before the beginning of the school year and who are permanently resident in the municipality. The law speaks clearly in this way and has no exceptions or "indulgences" for not having money, land, no agreement with the developer, or perhaps that residents should have anticipated moving to a community without a school. The municipal government has an obligation to place all of the above children in the kindergarten and elementary schools established directly by the municipality, or to make arrangements with other municipalities to place children in their facilities.
Kindergarten
Fortunately, the kindergarten issue has been largely resolved, at least for the time being. In just one year, two new kindergarten classrooms at the U Lesa kindergarten were completed, for which a subsidy of approximately 24 million CZK was obtained out of a total of 34 million CZK. The cost of construction was therefore not as overwhelming for the municipality as it appeared at the beginning. To give an idea of how important this step was, one of the proposals of the NERV (National Economic Council of the Government) is best used: to introduce the obligation for municipalities to provide a place in a kindergarten from the age of 3 (not from the beginning of the school year on 1 September, but from the day the child reaches the age of 3) or in an alternative institutional facility for sufficiently available children from the age of 2. If the municipality fails to fulfil its obligation, introduce an obligation for the municipality to make an appropriate financial contribution to the child's parents.
Primary school
Thus, the problem that still remains to be solved in the municipality is the primary school. In just one year, the municipality has managed to implement the conversion of the school's attic, which has created two new modern classrooms and negotiated an increase in capacity to the maximum possible level of hygiene and conceivable operational limits for the 2024/2025 school year to 150 children. Even this increased capacity will be fully exhausted in September 2024 with the opening of two classes of first graders (40 children in total for the first grades + 11 children for the upper grades), while the number of children who, due to their age, should enter the first grade in September 2024 is still 56. In September 2025, while maintaining the current capacity of the school, the municipality will be able to open the first class for only 12 children, while the number of children who, due to their age, should enter the first class in September 2025 is already 64! In addition, the municipality registers 53 children so far in 2026 and 57 children so far in 2027 who should enter the first class. (The data on the number of children registered in the municipality for permanent residence is as of January 2024, so, due to the massive construction especially in Vysoký Újezd, an increase can be expected.) At the same time, the municipality has no provision for the placement of children coming out of the fifth grade in the second grade.
From a parent's point of view
For ŽIJME SPOLEČNĚ, solving the problem of the primary school in the municipality is the number one priority. In our opinion, a functioning and quality kindergarten and primary school are the foundation of a well-functioning community. It is around them that a real community is formed. Children know each other from the nursery and school, parents get to know each other when accompanying children to and from the nursery and school, and last but not least the nursery and school organise various social events where there is also room for getting to know each other and cementing the community in the village. In short, thanks to the nursery and the school in particular, a much-needed togetherness is created in the village. We don't want Vysoký Újezd, Kozolupy and Kuchař to become just an anonymous satellite or dormitory where the inhabitants just come to sleep for the night after returning from work. Not to mention the fact that delivering children to schools in other communities puts a strain on the family both financially and logistically. In addition, all the schools in the near and distant surroundings are dealing with similar capacity problems as we are, and they cannot accommodate dozens of children from Vysoký Újezd in their schools.
For those of us who already have school-age children, we can say that the local school has a very pleasant, family atmosphere, the teaching is of high quality, the school offers a large number of diverse clubs, organizes interesting extracurricular activities, and tries to involve active parents in the events around the school. Unfortunately, the school is already facing the limits of its capacity, which is felt by the children in particular by the lack of space in the changing rooms, in the school canteen where classes have to take turns at lunch and the lack of space for the after-school club.
What ŽIJME SPOLEČNĚ offers as a solution:
The solution for ŽIJME SPOLEČNĚ is clear, we need to complete the nine-year school in OUR community. There are several steps to this.
- We have pushed for and implemented the purchase of the land in the last year for 18 million CZK. This is the basic premise of all further considerations.
- We need to change the use of this land by changing the zoning plan. This is now blocked by a historical agreement with the real estate developer Crestyl, the municipality is currently having a legal analysis prepared to resolve this impasse.
- At this time, it seems most realistic, both in time and financial terms, to build a second grade elementary school on the new land, and to address the first grade by adding on to the existing building.
- In order to implement the second grade at all, the first grade must meet the minimum size of 5 x 2 classrooms, which is not possible in the existing building.
- Over the last year we have pushed through and prepared a project (already costing 1.6 million CZK) to complete the extension with classrooms, and to extend the canteen, so that we have a full first grade primary school.
- There are many options that have to be worked out and assessed from many professional points of view; brick school, wooden building, container building are all options. The various options need to be assessed in terms of their funding potential, ideally with a subsidy that can reach up to 85%. Subsidies are not possible for some building variants, but these can be significantly cheaper and faster (for the construction of the different variants of the second stage, prices range from 50 to 300 million CZK). Therefore, it is necessary to really plan carefully and implement such a large investment project as a priority and professionally, not by feel or as a side issue.
- Last but not least, it is necessary to prepare own sources of financing. We have been working on this for the last year and will continue to do so. The municipality is already recovering financially from the mistakes of the past, but we still need to plan and prioritize investments carefully and above all be prepared (on paper and project-wise) to draw down subsidies so that we do not "run out" as has happened in several cases in the past.
However, this does not mean that we should overlook other problems that the inhabitants of Vysoký Újezd, Kozolupy and Kuchař are suffering from. We will present our other programme priorities in separate chapters of our election programme.
Pro ŽIJME SPOLEČNĚ, sdružení nezávislých kandidátů vytvořilo studio Elasticle, 2024.