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Health & Fitness

Ignore What's Behind The Curtain of Issue 81

My first reaction to Issue 81 was shock.  Firstly, because of the pitiful performance of the district (7 out of 24 measures).  But, the defensive explanations of the school board?  Blaming poor, black kids!  Oh, I’m sorry--its because we are “so special”.

Secondly, the cost was a shock.  What were these School Board people thinking?  I know people that typically end up on these boards are “out there” and kind of lame, but this was way out there!

And for what?  Pipe dreams of pristine, crystal clear swimming pools, wide-open classroom spaces where kids can roam freely in a socialized, free-thinking wide-ranging idea of 21st Century Educational methods!

So not to fall back on my first reaction, I thought I should look into the details.  Egads!  My research into the actual plan was actually more alarming.  And my thought was: What were these School Board wackos thinking?

They don’t want to repair or upgrade systems.  They actually want a pipe dream!  Eradicate just about everything and put in every bell and whistle that exists!  And, why?  Well, it seems related to the fact that no one could be bothered over the past 5-10 years to use the $40-$60 million that was actually available to repair or upgrade school buildings. I couldn’t ascertain what happened to that money.

But, what I did find out is that the state came in with a $1 billion burning a hole in its pocket and offered the district roughly $22 million if it would sell its and its residents’ souls to create a 21st Century Educational plan. This was despite the fact that the state’s own assessment indicated that, while much needed repair or replacement, the district’s basics suited the dimensions and requirements to deliver a 21st Century Education: slightly undersized, but flexible classroom sizes, appropriate technology. 

What actually needed replacement were ugly, structural elements: leaking roofs, tuckpointing, electrical wiring, plumbing, painting, new furniture.  Yaawwnn!  So boring!   And, horrors!  That morass won’t due if we want to claim this is all about educating children!

And there’s that $22 million the state is dangling like a carrot.  “Yes,” say the board wackos to rebuilding EVERYTHING!  For a “mere” $254 million we can re-do ALL the schools (well, except the elementary and middle schools we close) and claim its all about 21st Century Education!  Let’s not acknowledge we can replace and upgrade all that needs it at a fraction of the cost.  Why ask for  $23 million to take care of the high school alone, when we can tax the residents for a whopping $74 million!  Just for the high school!

Look over here at this remarkably sized swimming pool, a new career technical center, a brand-spanking renovated and equipped 1,600-seat auditorium, and a new science wing (even though the state said the size was “adequate”)!  More, more, and, still, more! 

Forget the fact that property values are dropping every year!  We can borrow as if property values are actually rising, because the state said we could!  So what if we borrow more than future property taxes can pay?  Those particular school board wackos won’t be around when the payments come due in about 10-20 years!  But those silly residents will be; paying for that pipe dream for the next 38 years.  At the end of which, all those 21st century buildings will need new roofs, electrical, heating, plumbing, and technological systems. 

What then?  Time for the next group of wackos to leap up and con those residents still here to pay for another pipe dream!

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