Aug
6
Staying focused
August 6, 2007 | 58 Comments
I read an interesting comment related to an article in today’s Des Moines Register about a new liquor cabinet in the office of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. It basically summed up our inability to stay on subject.
Ever see, “Wag the Dog”? Significant to the plot was our tendency to spin (and follow) events off subject…like morphing commentary about Iowa’s waste of money on a $14,000 liquor cabinet into a heated discussion about one’s personal choice of intoxicants.
We are too easily distracted, folks…often by each other. And this, and little more, is responsible for our ability to be led down the government garden path.
We have an excellent opportunity to explore new ideas about the high school (where it should be built, what it should cost, etc.), but there seems to be a lack of focus much of the time. Brent Voss and Eric Tiernan are not the issue. Quail Run and Hunter Ranch are not the issue. Mr. Broman and Dr. Arnold are not the issue. Dexfield and Stuart-Menlo are not the issue. The issue is we need a new high school and we need it soon.
Here are my questions:
Where should the new school be built? On the land already owned? On other land yet to be purchased? Is this other land already for sale? Is it feasible to purchase it? Are the owners willing to sell?
What should it cost to build a new high school? What are similar-sized districts building new high schools for today?
When are we going to realize that no matter what the proposal is, there are always going to be shortcomings?
Comments
58 Comments so far
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You have nailed it right on the head, for complete lack of a better scenario. No matter what the topic, or mere mention of school, school board, business person(s), successful anybody, the topic automatically spiders off in so many directions, the main topic is lost. Maybe there is not enough IQ in the mix to make informed, responsible decisions that will impact a community or school district. If that truly is the case, then no matter how many reasonable people there are who actually make sense, and are focused on the actual solving of the problem of how do you get from A to B, there are more of those who just have a goal of not getting there at all. If it boils down to the actual hatred of one community for another, there will be nothing done no matter how much we spend on any kind of bond issue to accomplish a new high school. Absolutely nothing. The game is just in the arguing, not solving. They thrive on it. Whoever is involved in this controversy and aren’t willing to budge to any kind of compromise, see nothing but sinister motivations in everything and everyone, and have one agenda and it is their own, is the “they” I speak of…. no matter where they reside or pay taxes. If there is absolutely no compromise or “reasonable” solution to this, we will have no further reason to think that the spin will stop, and the name-calling will stop and the excuses will stop. That is the real truth. A very sad reality, but it is what it is.
2:57 I probably fit your description of not having enough IQ. You are as bad as the others to get up and lecture and call names. Yes, call names! Insulting peoples’ IQ’s isn’t a very rapier like way to win one’s attention and gain credibility. It’s been said over and over that 6 defeats should send enough signal that the site just might be the problem. Then the last go round the sky came falling in with the huge number. Later to be somewhat proven to be less than trustworthy by the dirtwork estimate of a local contractor and the uncanny wit of the Supt. sending Rambo a hate letter, when they apparently didn’t agree with his every word or his every thought. So it has to spider to an extent. If there were one thing holding it up, then yes. Focus on that. Personally, I think THE major thing is the site coupled with the present Supt. I’m for trying hard as humanly possible to get something built South of the athletic fields. I really, truly, feel with a reasonable, believable $$$ amount and that location it would pass with flying colors. 2:57 for all of your vast knowledge, wit, and ability to be cogent, give us your plan for a school. It’s funny how those who lecture can’t come up with a plan of their own. I’m assuming you will say go with what has already been done before. Well, guess what? If you do, the majority has already said 6 times they don’t want that. So let’s hear YOUR iconoclastic idea to simplify this and laser beam in on that one thing that will settle this. The ball is in your court. Or are you just good at lecturing? Is YOUR IQ having a problem???
3:40 again. I apologize for not being inclusive with my thoughts. The cost should be just as Nate brought up—in-line with other similar sized districts. There’s no reason for any estimate to be as far off as the dirtwork was. 6 times the actual cost?? C’mon who’s kidding who? That’s one of the reasons people start becoming suspicious, and rightfully so, in my mind. Especially when no or very, very limited information(especially detailed) is brought forward to the public from the school.
morphed already hasn’t it…..
Nothing’s morphed, the topic is singular, but the surrounding factors are very many. The only thing morphed is 2:57’s lecture and then apparently not wanting or being able to answer when their ranting is turned around upon them.
I think the real issue is, SOME OF US “WANT” a new school, no matter what the cost.
no, i think the real issue is everyone is not willing to sit down and work out a doable solution to this problem.
if this issue is to be resolved 4 things must happen:
1. a rational, clear and true understanding of the actual current and future needs of the district must be outlined and agreed upon without regard to building site and past differences.
2. all workshops and board meetings must be so open and above board that there is absolutly no suspision of pre-determined conclusions with full disclosure of all discussion during those meetings. this includes copies of all emails between members, consultants and the public. even if it means cd’s are made and available for check out from the library or complete transcripts or copies are posted on the wcv website.
3. every option developed based on #1 must be evaluated and include associated estimated costs and options. then explained to the public in detail.
4. once #3 is narrowed to the 2 best options a site should be chosen that fits the options.
whatever the result is the public must be totally aware of how the results were determined and agreed upon if there is to be any chance that this school is to be built.
until the public is convinced that their intelligence is not being insulted, the options and costs fit the needs of the district, and the site is picked based on those results there will be no resolution to this feud.
3:40 You don’t get it yet, do you?
9:55 Ditto
9:13 very, very good post.
11:42 very, very bad post.
Actually, 3:40 get’s it a lot clearer than you do. I’m not sure what you get. I would like to repeat 3:40’s request to you 11:42.
Tell us your plan.
Is your one single thing to vote Yes for anything we are given?
That’s the only conclusion that can be drawn.
2:57 and 11:52 I would like to hear your plan. 3:40 offered a plan and asked you for yours 2:57. I logically have to draw the conclusion you are the dog wagging the tail or want to be. So if you don’t have a plan or solution then why the little sniping comments?
I like 3:40’s plan and if they don’t get it, then I don’t either. If we can only comment on one subject that meets your needs then you must be Arnold. Morphing? you bet!! Give some answers and people won’t have too.
Watching and reading with interest. It can’t be as simple as some want. But I agree building it South of the athletic fields and at a cost comparable to other school districts this size.
I’m a farmer from around Stuart. That’s all you need to know. My wife has shown me these comments for a long time now, going back to the last bond issue. I guess this weekly update has served the purpose of shutting down the debate. As far as the first post know it all and follow up posts of ‘ditto’ and ‘morphed already’ you can kiss my lily white one. This is my first and last post. I’m voting NO until I see something that makes sense and putting the school away from the athletic facilities doesn’t make sense to me. Now I see this idiotic board gave the whatever you call him an extension on his contract. Was that a reward for being an a$$hole? You can take your one-dimensional talk and shove it 2:57 and others smarter than me. I probably helped pay your way thru school, pay more taxes in a yr. than you have in a lifetime, but I can’t talk only to suit your standards. Nate if this is what you want, close this thing down. I thought more of you until this happened. There’s a reason more aren’t commenting now. Evidently Broman is on vacation or got his butt reamed by the prick who runs the school and board–Arnold. So shut the thing down. Let’s vote without being force fed this crap. If you don’t want people talkin or usin your blog just say so. If you think I’m the only one feeling this way just look at how the comments have dried up. Talk has it you are Yes for anything too. Well, forget about me stoppin in. Johnny’s is right next door. Not a threat, a promise. I’m tired of high and mighty blowin nonsense and then getting in their little digs. They don’t have any answers either. Like the person said, let’s hear some of their ideas if it’s so friggin easy. This is my first and last post, it’s a waste of time. I’m votin NO until they start tellin me something and get a different site that makes some sense. If they throw $13 some million in my face, then that will get thrown in the burn barrel. If you don’t want a discussion or a debate, don’t have a blog. The school won’t have any public meetings or even give us information. The local rag is biased and about as informative as my roll of toilet paper. This blog was on a roll, now it’s a piece of work too. Cheers, Nate.
Nate, I admire your determination in going back “home” at all. Seems more trouble than it’s worth to me, with anonymous tags calling names and threatening not to go to your bar or even to talk to you because you disagree with each other on one issue…
Sounds like 7:01 am has a real hangover and needs a bone to chew on. Have a good time, and hope you got that big chip off your shoulder. It’s people like you who are preventing this thing from ever and I say ever going anywhere. Whew, the sailor mentality! I say get over it, go turn some dirt, and have another beer! Some of the farmers around here are the ones who have already put their kids through school, and are so greedy they don’t want to pay taxes for anything, much less a new school. Go ahead and give us your excuses, because you don’t have an answer, either. You just want to vent. If this was your last post, good riddence. Join the other posts like you and show the whole damned world just how much Hicksville doesn’t want a school, you dope!
You people who have “paid more taxes than we will ever” need an enema. Greedy bastards, anyway.
Does anyone actually have a credible idea? Talk about “wag the dog”!!!
Well, all of you except 11:01 sure showed 7:01, didn’t you? You are as bad as he is. You call names just as well as he does!!Where’s your plan’s at? At least, he hinted that he would like a school next to the athletic fields. Or am I the only one reading that? I’m frustrated too with no information from the school and was very frustrated to see the contract extension. So have at me as well. You didn’t tear into 2:57 the first poster. I wonder why? Maybe you are all the same person. If you want to bad mouth farmers you are bad mouthing me too. If that makes me bad then dissolve the district, because this isn’t ever going to work. I agree a new school needs to be built by the athletic fields. We elected a board let them take that and figure it out. This is a greedy bastard, dope farmer who needs an enema. How do you describe yourselves? And how about that plan? Sounds like dissolution to me! Then you can blame us greedy dope farmers.
Hi Maren
He’s right about one thing though…Johnie’s is right next door.
If this guy wants to blame me for what other people say, so be it. If I was worried about what people are saying about me I wouldn’t be back in Stuart. People talk here. I understand that. I realize people are quick to judge, and that’s not just here, that’s everywhere. People spout off without knowing all (or any) of the facts all the time, it’s part of life. I’m ok with it.
More importantly, the questions I raised in my initial post here are going unanswered. I think they’re relevant questions, but maybe I’m wrong. What are the pertinent questions?
7:01- Here I am! I haven’t been on vacation nor did I get my butt reamed by Dr. Arnold! I only blog when I feel the need and it is obvious that I need to help enlighten you. You have a serious chip on your shoulder and I take offense to your insinuations about my being Dr. Arnold’s puppet.
You give Dr. Arnold too much credit. He cannot tell me to cease blogger as long as I am on my own computer and not on school time.
I feel that my blogs have not been detrimental to the district, but have provided another insight to the issues surrounding the District.
Now, as I have stated in the past, too many of you won’t come forward with your ideas and make them public. Blogsites are not “public” to the masses. Yes, I know you are hesitant about coming forward because you don’t want to be put down, etc., but if your ideas are intelligent and ooze common sense, then you shouldn’t have to worry. I seriously doubt that people who come in front of the Board are publically chastised like some have written.
Just to remind you that bond issues don’t have to “board driven”. The first 5 were “community driven” and yes, the WCVC had their own petitions ready to present, but didn’t. You will have to ask them why they didn’t.
You can beat the Board to the punch by paying the legal fees to have an attorney write up the legal language and then collect the necessary # of signatures. This way, your idea is made public.
Whether the Board accepts the petition is another matter, but at least the idea is out in the open.
Did any of you read the board minutes in the Stuart Herald/5×80 bulletin? Did you see where the Board is having a work session with Merle Rambo next Tuesday? He is the same person who chastised the Board for not going for a district-wide elem. in Dexter.
Did you also know that the Board took a tour through ADM’s new Gr. 8-9 building and also the HS to get ideas?
I talked with Marty Doud today and he found out that ADM was able to build at a cost of $81 per sq. ft 3 years ago and feels that we could build for $90 per sq. ft (due to inflation).
What this tells me is that the Board is not complacent, but actually looking at different avenues to come up with a new plan. However, I hear that many of you will vote “no” if the present site is used, regardless whether the building is built cheaper.
This blog is not intended to create a firestorm of negative replies. Let’s be intelligent about this and use common sense. Name-calling won’t get you anywhere.
I know that many of you disagree with my opinions, but I don’t have a “god-like” status that dictates that whatever I say, goes.
If you disagree, fine.
While it’s clear that 7:01 needed to vent, it’s also clear that 10:58, 11:00 and 11:01 are probably the same person. Our IQ’s aren’t that small, that we can’t notice the times. I take it very personally and badly when you start running down farmers. Do you like to eat? Do you work for little of nothing? How many hours a day and days a week do you work and work hard? It’s a tough life but an honest one. That’s probably more than a lot of you can say. How do you think Stuart ever grew and who do you think supported the businesses? This is nonsense. I’m not commenting anymore. I’m sick of all of this. Count me out for any type of support.
I don’t care if Queen Elizabeth’s is next door. Nate, you’re the greatest!
Nate, Thanks for having this blog for us to use! I’m very confused right now when I read $90/sq. will build and last go round we were to approve some ungodly figure. I know they were estimates, but that far off is hard to fathom. That’s old news, but I still don’t understand. My opinion, and I’m one who will not be abused by going in front of the board or id’ing myself, is if we could build South of the athletic fields and at $90 it would pass overwhelmingly. Just my opinion. Please don’t pick on the farmers, one bad apple doesn’t make them bad. My parents struggled all their lives, but us kids had all we wanted and more.
Nate dont listen to the angry farmer, you are doing great. As far as farmers having to pay more taxes than anyone else that does suck for them but its all part of owning land. Its part of supporting you towns and local school districts. Thats what small town Iowa is suppose to be all about.
Tod, I highly respect you for all the information you’ve given us and for being so level headed. Here’s the however. What you say about being afraid to come forward is a very real fear and a warranted one, I think. I totally agree with 1:01. I would love to support the site South of the athletic field. I think it is a natural. But talk to some with only the East site in their head and you get looked at funny and I know I’ve been belittled behind my back twice. I’ve been told by two people who were talked with by the person I mentioned it to. I know it’s typical small town, but it’s still not worth it when you have more than yourself to think about(my family). I’m afraid I will vote NO on the East site. This is a long term deal, nothing temporary and I feel it needs to be done correctly. The East site doesn’t fit that in my mind. There are no grudges, I just don’t feel it to be the right location. Do everything possible to get it built South of the athletic fields, specifically the baseball field.
Tod –
If I may quote your post as 8-8-07 at 12:23pm. “Name-calling won’t get you anywhere.”
That is very intersting that you say that. Can you get the super. understand this? He doesn’t realize how many bridges he has burnt because of his name calling. Not only those that he targeted, but also he upset a lot of people that want nothing to do with presenting or suggesting anything at a meeting.
It’s very frustrating to have this go on – especially to think of everything we don’t know that he has said. I’ve read several of his letters to vendors, etc. It’s very upsetting that he represents the school in that way. What is more upsetting is that he is going to be the Dexter Principal.
It would be nice if more things like this could be announced before the open enrollment deadlines. But then, we wouldn’t need to worry about having a Dexter Principal because there wouldn’t be any kids left to attend!
An alternative site won’t become a reality unless people take the initiative to bring it forward.
Nothing will happen unless you bloggers do something about it. Blogging about it will not make it happen.
My suggestion then is to dissolve the district. If the supt. and board can’t see an alternative site is the answer, why go to all the trouble and embarrassment, expense and haranging from those people in a futile attempt. We could present an initiative and petition and they can simply refuse to accept it. They would find some excuse so it would not work. The supt. would make it so uncomfortable and impossible to present anything that isn’t his idea that it isn’t worth the effort. My prediction is they will have a board driven petition miraculously cheaper than the last one. How? Who knows!!! No one including the supt. and board did their jobs, I’m guessing. It will be on the same site and it might just pass. As mentioned above, with this man as prin. at Dexter, watch the open enrollments explode. Either that or he will appoint a teacher or two to do his job for him and simply revel in his position and salary and power. Tod, you were and are one of the biggest detractors from the WCVC, they tried to tell us the building was grossly overpriced. Yet you and many others chose to belittle them at every turn and try to discredit them in every conceivable manner. Now you are admitting you think the board has no intentions of considering a different site. Someone told a person they really didn’t get it yet earlier. I believe you really don’t get it that this supt. and board have no intention in listening to anyone else. We could petition them to consider alternative sites and to repeat myself, they would find a reason for them not to be acceptable even if they were the perfect fit. They weren’t their or the supt.’s idea so they won’t get considered. As 7:54 said about the name calling, how can you and Nate as well talk about name calling when the supt. is the biggest one of all. Well mark my wife and I down for a big NO if the East site is shoved on us again. Build—definitely, and now!! But not there. South of the baseball field looks good to me, I drove down there today. Someone tell us what the drawback(s) are. Other than it will be more work for the supt. and not fit his agenda. You’re very correct, Tod, nothing is going to happen. We people in Stuart better start thinking if we want a school or not. Talking with an alumni who is very open-minded and lives out of state opened my eyes. He said categorically that the infrastructure, the land, and the regards to a centralized campus is in Redfield. And now with the middle school already a certainty there, the high school could continue on East. I hadn’t thought of that vision. Stuart people, you better get the East site out of your mind or that might just happen if the state steps in. Either that or we won’t have a WCV. So when it comes to staying focused, I believe a lot of us are focused on the site South of the baseball field. At the price mentioned or even a little more. Tie it into a campus and make it convenient for everyone. Tod, I know you’ve mentioned it would be really nice to have everything close together. You and your colleagues and the students would benefit everyday from it being together. Talk about mixing people up from out of town coming to sporting events! Football, baseball, track and soccer one place. Basketball, volleyball, music, plays, etc. in another. If a different site isn’t in the picture then forget about voting again. #7 here we come. And I’m sure the supt. and board will do a professional job of selling it as they did last time. That’s PURE sarcasm if you didn’t follow me.
Sorry, 8:51, but I will always be suspicious of the WCVC. They promote themselves as being representative of the “whole” District, but their focus has been mainly on Redfield and Dexter, very little on Stuart and barely any on Menlo.
Yeah, they argued about the cost, but their MAIN GOAL was to have a district wide elementary or nothing else. You stated about a centralized campus in Redfield in your blog. That is what the WCVC had wanted in the first place.
Enough of that. I have my reasons, so be it.
OK, so you propose to dissolve the District just because you feel that the Board won’t change their ways. I vehemently disagree with that suggestion. That suggestion has been a “cop out” for those who disagree with what has been happening.
You can complain all you want, but breaking WCV apart is the worse thing that can be done. You don’t like it, then you and others work to change it.
Now, I’ll play ignorant and ask what exactly has the Supt. said in reference to “name calling”? I’m serious. All I know is what people have blogged. What do you know? Is this “first hand” information or hearsay? Are you referring him using the term “hate group” in a letter to the editor almost a year ago? That’s old news.
I just want to be informed, because I’ve been burned by hearsay.
7:54—please inform me SPECIFICALLY what name calling the Supt. is guilty of.
I am not questioning the validity of your accusations, but I just want to know.
No hearsay, please, just the facts.
hate /he?t/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[heyt] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation verb, hat·ed, hat·ing, noun
–verb (used with object) 1. to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest: to hate the enemy; to hate bigotry.
2. to be unwilling; dislike: I hate to do it.
–verb (used without object) 3. to feel intense dislike, or extreme aversion or hostility.
–noun 4. intense dislike; extreme aversion or hostility.
5. the object of extreme aversion or hostility.
*****WCVWCV IS A HATE GROUP.*****
9:27—you are referring to something that happened last fall. Anything newer? Anything else?
I am not being condescending.
He’s called us idiots when he didn’t think anyone was listening that shouldn’t have been. He has written a hate letter as mentioned yourself via Deanna Harwood to Rambo. He orchestrates the board meetings, making comments that can’t be heard. That on top of the old news, which, frankly, is enough for me. The ombudsman is looking into pressing charges about emails he sent. Plus the above detailed definition defines him perfectly. I assume when you look up the word ‘hate’ his picture is there. Now tell me how to work to change it and it be fruitful. I and a few others were told yrs. ago to study a subject and present it to the old board. Thru our own expense and many hrs. of preparation we prepared. When the time came they didn’t want a presentation. They took the work and tossed it aside. I don’t intend on being burnt again and played sucker. This supt.’s rep. preceeds him. Do you want to be reminded of his involvement in a basketball fight at Saydel with Carrol? How about his being required to go to anger management classes? I’ll try to find the time to call the Ombudsman tomorrow and see if he has made a decision and/or I can find out some more specifics. I’m not promising I can. What specifically are ‘we’ accused of as far as name calling? The questioning of things he does or doesn’t do? The inflated–apparently grossly–estimates of last yrs bond issue? The preprepared already decided board meetings? The mistreatment by he and the board pres. of people at board meetings? The terribly short board meetings that involve major topics? Organization? I disagree, overt manipulation as someone else already has mentioned. If it’s ‘we’ and ‘he’ then there’s problems. Guaranteed!! I hope the solution isn’t dissolution. That’s not what I wish at all. That’s not a “cop out”. I feel it’s people being realistic as to what possibly might happen. My reason for saying the solution is to dissolve the district is that it is at a head butting stage and a standoff. 6 defeats should be enough to tell them something. Your problems with the WCVC drive your thinking which is certainly ‘old’ news, so our using the ‘hate group’ term is viable logically then as well. You say the WCVC hardly considered Menlo. Why then were some of the biggest contributors from Menlo? I’m not sticking up for them, but like others will stick up for their right to do what they did. And people including yourself went ballistic. I know a trap when I see one and I’m not playing your game. I believe everything I’ve just said to be truthful, forthcoming and from reliable sources. More than I can say about things coming from the school, since there aren’t any.
Mr Broman –
Yes – I am referring to the letter that was published in the Dallas Co News on Thursday March 22, 2007.
Was there something in 2006 that I missed? Last fall? I’m confused. Maybe there is something that is floating that I hadn’t heard about?
Have you read the recent report from William P Angrick II, Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman written to Gene Krumm, Dr David Arnold and Harry Light. Also, it was cc’d to each individual board member.
I am not referring to any hearsay, only what is printed in black and white.
For not being condescending, you are coming across pretty much as just that. If you want to pick out little phrases and use them out of context then go right ahead. I believe a lot can see just what is happening. Are you or are you becoming the Supt.’s online defender? It certainly seems as if that is the case. Conclusions can be drawn by everyone, not just you. Why won’t the board listen to the public? Why won’t they look elsewhere? No one has mentioned anything about any other town to build in but Stuart. That fear should have been put to bed long ago. Do you agree the Supt. is supposed to be the PR man for the district? IASB rules I believe section 900’s used to state exactly that. Do you think the Supt. is a good PR man for the District? Do you think he treats people with compassion, with respect, with dignity and integrity? Answer truthfully please because most of us already know the answers. IASB rules also state the Supt. is to bring suggestions to the board to be discussed in a public forum. Does that happen?
We all know that answer too!
My proposal (without any knowledge of cost—that would be left to others) would include the following:
1) The conversion of the current high school in Stuart to a Westside elementary school (K-6).
2) The conversion of the current junior high school in Redfield to an Eastside elementary school (K-6).
3) The construction of a junior/senior high school (7-12) on a “neutral site” (not the site previously proposed by the District).
Having two elementary schools should assuage the concerns regarding distance and time of bus travel for students. Menlo students would need only travel to Stuart; Dexter students would need only travel to Stuart or Redfield, depending upon the boundary lines drawn. Attending a school closer to home seems to make sense, something that proponents of a district-wide elementary school don’t seem to take into account.
The construction of “neutral site” junior/senior high school would hopefully break the deadlock over whether “Stuart should get everything” that 3 of the 4 villages have been crying. I would propose a site further east than the last proposed site, but in no way actually in the Dexter village bounds. Sites along White Pole Road should be investigated, perhaps near to or even along P-32 that runs north to Diamondhead Lake. As should sites “tucked into” Dallas County: personally, I would investigate the area south of Dexter along P-48, just north of the “Four Corners” where Adair, Guthrie, Dallas, and Madison Counties converge. (Dropping a school right on the boundary of the Earlham School District might also stave off more open enrollments there.) I would also investigate sites south of the river along P-48 north of Dexter, but I suppose that people would find that too close to Dexter’s village bounds.
Certainly, there would be criticism of this idea. Questions could be raised: What would you do with the current elementary school in Dexter? How much would this cost? Should junior/senior high school students be mixed? Why would Menlo be left out of the building locations? And to be honest, I’m not sure if I could answer all the questions.
But now is the time for new ideas, new proposals. Because any objective person can see that repeating the past gets us nowhere fast. Someone has to ask the school board: How many times must you bash your head against a wall before you learn it isn’t going to move? A seventh bond issue anyway similar to what was proposed means rearing back the head for another turn at the bricks.
~Just my $0.02
if there really is an ombdusman letter then publish it on here.
i am just going to throw this out here. i don’t know dollars or other specifics but it is something to think about.
build a new, as green as possible, high school on the ground by sports complex.
sell the old high school to the city for city hall, police station, library, town hall, utilities office and recreation center complex. (city could trade sports complex property for market value against purchase of old high school to lower purchase price. school could sell its land to help pay for school)
build new west side elementary school in menlo. (or whatever additions? upgrades? it needs)
look into use of a phased construction plan and shared classroom space usage with the city at the old school for interium relocation needs. some type of arrangement could be worked out to save money on purchase and limit temp building leases.
it bothers me that the city and school haven’t put their heads together to see if this would even be feasible considering the city has to do something with ada issues anyway and the school has next to no chance of using the current proposed site.
okay tear it apart.
oops, i almost forgot.
hey nate, i see you remembered to water the tree. its starting to grow.
FANTASTIC!! People are thinking and have good ideas. That’s great to see and no one bashing them or bad-mouthing.
12:08 I haven’t seen the Ombudsman’s letter and like you would very much like too. I did talk to his Secretary late last week and he was out of the office until this past Monday.
The ph# to call there to verify that a letter does exist and the 4 people it was sent to; by talking to his secretary, is 888-426-6283.
Great to see people thinking and bringing out their thoughts. Now if we can only get the Board to think independent of the Supt. and remove the same old East site from their minds. I would think the letter from the Ombudsman and possibly the letter to Rambo would be available through the Freedom of Information Act. 10:08 mentioning about doing a study and the results brings me back to being on two school study committees. I was there because they evidently were required to have some citizens on the committees. My point being is we weren’t listened to nor were our ideas treated with any respect. Let’s face it, the only reason their is a school board is because the school is run with tax dollars. The board is supposed to be OUR representative. They should represent our desires and wants. Not stick their noses up in the air and ignore the general public. They should be making sure we are kept informed. Don’t get me started on the secretary’s. I better stop.
Did the last proposed plan leave out Dexter altogether? What about that building that has just been “updated”? After all the money that has been and is being spent on both Dexter and Redfield, that plan would be tough to pass,but I applaud the person for suggesting it.
“Us”- in all honesty, I never knew of a letter from Dr. Arnold in March of this year until you mentioned it.
10:26- no, I am not Dr. Arnold’s online defender; there have been some things that I have disagreed with him. It was never my intent on being condescending, just that I want the facts, not hearsay. It is unfortunate that you misunderstood me.
Finally, I cannot answer your questions, because I am only “hearing” about Dr. Arnold’s lack of professionalism from the bloggers.
10:08–I never heard of Dr. Arnold’s past problems (Saydel vs. Carroll) until a blogger brought it up.
The biggest contributor from Menlo to the WCVC, Paul DeRocher, stated that he didn’t want his taxes to go up. In addition, he has been a staunch opponent to any idea of tearing down the Menlo building. Paul wanted the bond to be defeated—period. It appears that he doesn’t want a district wide elementary either.
Finally, I really don’t think that I went “ballistic” unless you can prove otherwise.
It was nice to read other bloggers’ ideas.
to anonymous on august 8 at 10:08pm the fight was with dr. arnold involved but not only him, mr. goodman the basketball coach was involved as he was the bball coach at saydel then. man we get all of the class acts here!
I’ve heard about the incident at Saydel as well. I also heard it was on tape on YouTube, but I can’t find it. I have to freely admit I don’t know anything at all about youtube or how to find things and don’t want to spend an evening hunting. I was told the tape clearly shows Arnold throwing a punch. I don’t know that is hearsay. Evidently, this man is above everything. Move to Pennsylvania for a yr and come back and belong to the good ‘ole boys fraternity again.
Stuart does not need the crappy high school for government buildings. Thanks, anyway!
Yeah, but it’s good enough to stick $2million in for A/C and electrical work and call it an elementary!! I would go for a new building for K-5(from Stuart and Menlo) and the HS together South of the baseball field. Talk about drawing some parents! Then you would have new or newer buildings in three towns. Tear down or TRY to sell the old HS. You could have a block and a half or 2/3 of property in the downtown to sell. Maybe the city could buy where the offices are now. Pretty centrally located and parking. Sorry Menlo, I feel your pain. I have a big problem mixing age groups, but it’s the mixing of hormone flowing middle schoolers and high schoolers that I think would be a big, big problem as far as one building. Segregate the little ones and have a staggered lunch and use those same facilities. There are lots of ideas when you start thinking.
To follow up, Stuart could use a nice apt. complex and downtown would be a good place I think. It would draw some businesses too, I’m betting. There’s enough builders around that I believe a nice apt. complex of varied sized apts. (or condos) might just fly. Just one idea of many for uses for that location.
It wouldn’t be next to the other ones, but I’m real sure there is a need for more assisted living apts. They could go there, but would be nice if they were next to the others. They would bring more jobs to town too.
I like the idea of a combined new elem. and HS
South of the baseball fields. The other ideas make sense too and sound good. One other option with a combined school, it would be a larger building and could possibly be built to convert the elem. space to more room for the high school if and when the school grows. That would save an addition onto a building and an elem. could be built separate if that would be better for people. Very interesting.
Don’t tell me Tod Broman is online “enlightening” people again. I forgot that Tod was God. My bad.
Gee, “bob”, I didn’t realize that I can’t exercise my freedom of speech. I really must have ticked you off…must have been something I said as a former teacher of yours.
Me a “God”? No, I was raised to believe that there is only one God and that is certainly not me.
Am I “enlightening” people? From the looks of things, there are more who disagree with me. I have my opinion, that’s it, but I am willing to admit my mistakes and apologize for them. I am not perfect…never have felt that way, but apparently you feel that I must do.
I’m sorry to have misled you.
Tod, we have to remember “bob” lost his commercial for male enhancement drugs. At least, I haven’t seen that silly grin on TV for a long time. So he’s pretty down right now and owly. Please keep on posting all you want, I believe the vast majority are glad you do. I know I am. Now if we could just get you to support the site South of the baseball field………(smiles). Keep up the good work, you are of course, entitled to your opinion and it is widely read and looked forward too. Thanks.
wow bob you sound rather intelligent! lol
How we digress. It’s just dumb.
doesn’t deserve a response. so guess i’m just dumb, huh?
Maybe so. See ya. this site is boring.
all ive got to say is leave goodman out of this. My family and I highly respect him. Just dont push it or you WILL be sorry!
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