This is an example of unnecessary brick laid at severe angles on top of steel channel iron.  This cost at least 100%-150% more in labor to lay these brick.

Arrows A, B, C – “Grand Entryways” these in no way further the education of our children!   These entryways easily cost the taxpayers over $100,000; that’s at least two or three good teachers. Arrow D – Again brick laid at severe angles; all for aesthetics. Arrow E – Glazed brick; these brick cost 600% more than a regular brick!!

Arrows “A” – The special angled brick needed to make these angled corners cost taxpayers 800% more PER BRICK.  For example; the total number of brick to make these 2 angles cost $840 (280 brick just at these 2 angles) instead of $105 for regular brick at a normal 90° corner. Arrows “B” – Again, glazed brick in 4 bands around this entire school.  These courses of brick cost 600% more than regular courses of brick laid in their place.

There is hope…This school was completed in 1989.  It has a simple design with straight walls, square corners, even heights at the top of walls and a simple accent band using another color but from standard brick.  Amazingly, kids learn here also…

This is a picture of the blueprint for the round library at a school.  The price per sq. ft. of these walls alone were 300%-400% more than a straight wall, not to mention the loss of useable floor space.

This is a 6 ft. tall graphic that goes all the way around the band hall.  This graphic alone added 10’s of thousands of dollars to this school.

Another curved (200’ radius) wall which adds 10’s of thousands of dollars…for no reason. (above & below)

The pictures on this page of the barrel roof on this school cost taxpayers an additional 25%, just for the roof.

The ripple effects of a specialized roof is the additional cost for other trades, such as ceiling installation.

Another fancy entryway with expensive barrel roof. Easily a full teachers salary...wasted.

There is also an "architectural feature" (right arrow) to compliment the barrel ceiling.  Again, thousands of dollars, or another teacher's salary

The glazed masonry units at these corners cost 600%-800% more than regular masonry units.

These are entrances found all around this elementary school with a specialized glazed masonry unit.  Easily 200% more money.

This is a classic example of waste; interior brick adds extreme and unnecessary costs to a school.  There are several other ways to construct a durable hallway wall.

Here is more interior brick around the offices of this elementary school.  Also, the stained concrete used for this floor, while cheaper in the way of materials is more expensive in that many more steps were needed to protect the floor before, during and after applying the finish.  It also slowed the project down by several weeks.