Feb
28
Unbelievable
February 28, 2007 |
I just finished reading the 99+ comments on Tyler’s latest post, and I have to say, I’m embarrassed. I feel like I’m stuck in the middle of a bad junior high movie about puberty and growing up and decision making and responsibility and all that stuff. Having an opinion and backing it up is one thing. Making wild, unfounded accusations is another.
For god’s sake, lay off Mr. Broman…he is not the issue here. To all the people with these grand ideas, do something about them. Don’t post them on a blog and think you’ve done your duty as a resident.
If you think we need a new high school, vote YES. If you don’t think we do, vote NO. I’d invite you to take a tour of the high school if you think we don’t, but we’re all entitled to our opinions.
In reality, do we need 4 completely new buildings? Most likely. Is that feasible? Absolutely not. So we do what we can when we can with what’s available.
There are always going to be those who vote no simply because that’s how they are. They would vote no if you told them a yes vote would make Ed McMahon show up at their doorstep with the Publishers Clearinghouse sweepstakes award. These people we can’t do much about. But what we can do is continue to educate the masses about a new school and the benefits of passing the bond issue.
It’s been almost 9 years since I walked the halls of the high school building in Stuart, and I doubt that the years have been kind. I know they hadn’t been kind in the years prior.
Please, everyone, do the right thing and vote YES on the bond issue. There are bigger things at stake here than one town getting extra benefits over another one. I grew up in Stuart, but I always went to Dennis to get my hair cut in Dexter, even before we became West Central, now West Central Valley. We always went to the locker in Redfield to get our hamburger. The boundaries that may have existed long ago are long removed. We’ve entered a new era (or I should say we need to enter a new era), and the old ways don’t work anymore.
We need to get our act together and vote YES. It’s time.
Comments
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Well said Nate.
Please, everyone that reads this, please get the facts straight. Bottom line, something needs to be done. The school can only bond for the amount that the taxation allows for and right now that is 13.3 million dollars. It is not possible to bond for any more than that to fix all the other buildings at the same time. The school board looked at several possibilities and have been working for over a year on the best solution for the funds available. They have weighed pros and cons of this petition and the other petition. Ask them, this decision was not made on a whim. From what I can see and read, no one is disputing we need a new high school……but it is the old grudges, the politics, and mis information that is driving some of the voters. Whether you agree or disagree with consolidation, the fact is that we are consolodated now, there have definitely been advantages the kids have have due to consolodation. The disadvantage is that the adults can’t move forward. Blaming people….teachers, past school boards, community members is not a solution!
I ask all of you that read these blogs to please ask your own questions to the board, to the administration, to the staff and make your own decision based on facts, not hearsay.
The petition that was presented before that the Board did not accept was NOT possible due to our limit on what we can bond for. I will say again, the funding resources the school has would have made that IMPOSSIBLE. The board knew this because they paid the experts to study that proposal. Also, I must add that if you go back a few years…..there was a bond referendum on 9-14-04. The school board’s plan at that time was to……
*Remodel Dexter for a district wide elementary
*Remondel Redfield for the middle school
*Construct a new high school in Stuart.
Guess what?? This didn’t pass, only 39% of yes votes. Out of the 5 bond votes we have, this was the second worse percentage they had.
What does that say? It isn’t the plan…….it is the same people that hold grudges that will do anything and everything to defeat a bond issue. Did you know, that a group of no voters have actually hired a private consultant to defeat the bond issue?? There is a group called the Bond Busters that do nothing but attack bond referendums to defeat them. Let me repeat myself…..people in this school district have actually paid other people out of our district money to do anything and everything to defeat any bond issue that is passed.
What does that tell you?
Also, for those of you that throw out the other ideas of building out between 2 towns in the country……ask school that have done that what their challenges are and if they could do over again, would they make that same decision. Maybe your opinion will change.
Bottom line, yes, there are other ideas, other ways of doing things. BUT….there are limitations to what can be done when it comes to funding. The Administration and the Board spent numerous meetings, talked to several experts and came up with the best plan they could with what the school had to work with. Please do your own homework, ask your own question to the people that actually did the work and are involved. The kids of this district deserve that.
My final comment to everyone…..the past is the past, whether you agree or not agree with decision that were made. Is it healthy to dwell on the past, or shall we all move forward and make the best of what we have?
Are you going to be part of the problem…..or part of the solution?
I remember a few years ago before one of the bond elections Mr Rogers was giving anybody in the district tours of the schools to prove they were in poor shape and we needed to pass the bond issue. I don’t think that any of the most well known no voters like Feller, Voss, Morrison, and Ganoe went on the tours. This shows that they don’t care and will vote no no matter what. Its a shame.
When you say 4 buildings Nateo do you mean in four towns? I think the best solution is everyone on one site. Seperate buildings or wings of course, but keep the students together, for many reasons. 1) Families- so there arent four different kids in four buildings, if there was an emergency the parents would have to fill their gas tank twice before they had all their kids picked up. 2)School activities- involve everyone with school sctivities (pep rallies, assemblies etc.) 3) Busing- Menlo, Dexter and Redfield wouldnt need too as many buses to go from their towns to Stuart, as Stuart would need to to go to Redfield etc. 4) Pride- I know that when I roll into a school complex where everything is in one spot and it is a huge great looking campus I am very impressed, and sometimes maybe even intimidated (athletically). It would be nice if the WCV community would vote for the school, the sad thing is I dont think it will happen. Too many stubborn people with the my way or the No vote attitude.
War 2 on 2 football in the back yard
Sounds good to me.
When’s the next game? I need to get a new partner if I’m gonna break your 56-game winning streak.
If the bond was for a new k-12 where would they build it?
It would be impossible to bond for enough money to building a new k-12 complex. It is determined by your tax base and right now West Central Valley can’t bond for the amount it would cost.
Thanks, Nate.
This post is called Unbelievable, right? What’s unbelievable is how much snow I hear you guys are all getting? Are you all surviving???
Stuart got pounded today with heavy snow and then strong winds. Some towns got 16 inches, but I’m not sure about us. I-80 from DSM to Neb. and I-35 from Ames to Minn. are closed.
An emergency shelter has been set up for stranded travelers.
For obvious reasons, school was cancelled today and also tomorrow.
I didn’t believe my mom this morning when she said it was like a blizzard. It’s hard to believe considering KC’s weather wasn’t bad at all today besides being a little chilly and windy. You guys keep all that snow up there please. As much as I could use a day off, we’ve already used our built in snow days and I don’t want to do make up days after Memorial Day! Be safe!
Kenny Vanlandingham told me this a.m. (3-2-07) that we’re still in for the long haul. I-80 is still closed and the wind is still kicking up a lot of snow.
It’s still snowing. Blizzard warning’s been extended until 6am for us.
Where to begin?
I find it very enlightening and disconcerting that some of the comments get so personal. And you call yourselves open-minded!! I’m a former board member and totally agree with a post from tylers’ blog that the board is completely puppeted by the superintendent and to a lesser degree by the principals and teachers. If you wish people to back things you should keep them informed. Not once a month or every other month and then with a vagarious letter bemoaning the fate if this and if that doesn’t happen to someone’s liking.
For the life of me I can’t comprehend prices going up over 50% since the last bond. You need to prove that to me. If you want marble floors and granite counter tops, count me out.
Broman, you don’t disappoint me, you bemuse me. You come riding in like the lone ranger ready to rescue the situation and line your pockets on the way in and out. You always had your had out for every penny in the budget and always will. Your motives are clear to those of us who have dealt with you. You young people out there, follow his lead!!
What better job can you get?
185 days versus 260 for the real world that he wants to compare his profession’s wages against. And where are the improved results that have came from the increases in salaries?
What % of the budget is salaries, Broman? You know but I doubt you will tell. Then you and your colleagues masquerade as all for educating the children as your only desire. You looking forward to a corner office with marble floors and a granite counter top with fridge and a big screen LCD in the lounge?
As for the letter from the supt. I can only say, huh?!! You gave no dates, very little specifics, the schematic looks like it is put together for future use as a jr-sr high building combo. For that reason alone, let alone not being informed, I will vote no. To those of you high and mighty who blame people and name names, maybe YOU should listen. Their never has been an open mind in the old S-M district of which I am a part of. I’m ashamed that you would never ever recognize the meaning of the word compromise. You could have had a nice set-up by now, I’m convinced of that.
However, now you are back to blaming everyone but yourselves. Shame on you, you need spanked like the children you are. Then you have the audacity to blame the east siders. Who the H*** are they? Who is the group who is divided and holding out old hard feelings??
I think it’s you!
You portray yourselves as only wanting to be combined and forget the past. BULL BULL BULL!!
No one wants to keep the general public informed. We shouldn’t have to take every paper in the 4 county area and read all the minutes to know what is going on.
I’m going to stick up for the group questioning and challenging you.
You—the educators, the board, want public input or so you say. But only when they totally and uncompromisingly agree with you and your ideas.
There is something called the Freedom of Information Act. We as citizens have the right to know anything that is going on with the exception of personal files and personal inform. in general. If we ask a question we get the answer or someone should haul your butts’ collectively to a court.
If you want to pass a bond issue, you need to tell the people the truth. Not half truths or dodge the subject in a political fashion. As mentioned, I’m voting no because I firmly believe the best thing coming out of sharing and consolidation has been the separation of 6-8 and 9-12. And, as I look into the future with probably declining enrollment, I can foresee them mixed together in the new building as it is drawn and laid out. Stuart has always been so proud, but never passed a bond issue of their own. Now where has downtown gone? Hey, if you hadn’t noticed it’s gone or leaving. I’ve always tried to put myself in the old Dexfield district peoples’ shoes. I’m surprised they haven’t pulled out before now. I’m ashamed to say I live where I do. I’m ashamed Broman has such a vocalness to him. He hits people wrong and has only done damage with his blogs.
How many of you have been on a school committee? Not many I can say for sure. They are always loaded with teachers and a select few. Where is the oversight? Who is on that committee? These aren’t rhetorical questions. I would like an answer from Broman, he knows everything else. What are the contingency plans if this fails? Are they in writing or is the supt. going to just complain more if the vote fails? I can only surmise the latter.
Then there’s the major factor of open enrollment. It destroyed Dexfield as I always understood it and to not think as soon as Adel builds again that lots more, from Redfield at least, will jump there, is only being totally naive or not wanting to face facts.
I admire Earlham and A-C, they have kept their schools and at least Earlham seems to be thriving. They didn’t listen to the states’ threats and the hand wringing of administrators and go along. They had the kahoonas to hang tough and stay vital and independent. You can argue course selection. That is highly overrated with the options of getting instruction today. Don’t be fooled by teachers and administrators and the board who has been told by these people that we have to do this and we have to do that. The only reason their is a board is because the school and it’s employees are funded with tax dollars. I know it burns the “professionals” when they have to deal with the likes of us lay people. Use your own heads. Why was the petition turned down flat and not negotiated? I don’t know the facts but would like to know the answer. No one has concisely given a cogent answer to that. Educate the populace, not just the chosen view, and then bemoan the loss of a vote and point fingers and call names. Send out a letter every week or more often if you have too. Repeating one bloggers question…..why is the vote coming so soon?
Why is the cost up so much? Has the cost of a $200000 home in 2004 jumped to over $300000 in 2006(when the figure was put together). I find it hard to believe. I’m voting no until someone assures me and educates me.
Another point….I have always believed the supt. should live in the town he/she is employed in. He/she should be visible to the general populace and available to each and everyone.
Please give up the finger pointing to the east. Grow up!! They got promised things that never panned out and our side would not even consider any type of compromise. Yes, I’m talking sides but unfortunately that’s what it boils down too. That and the fact that the people don’t understand why things are as they are e.g. costs up so much and why the public bond issue wasn’t compromised on and got totally eliminated.
Broman, keep getting mad, I love it!! It does my heart good!! Yeah, I’m mentioning names, but only one who needs to keep quiet. I would guess you have done much more damage over the years than you have good. Sorry, just the facts as I perceive them.
So vote on what you know and if you don’t know for sure I wouldn’t take the education establishments words with much, if any, credibility. They are in it for themselves.
What’s the % of the budget that is salaries, Broman? C’mon I know you know it, cause you are after every half pence you can get.
As mentioned, young people go into teaching, get tenure and your set for life. Summers off, two weeks+ at Xmas and NewYears. Spring break, where else can you get that?
Vote with your head and not your heart. If you don’t know the answers vote NO and let them finally figure out they can’t use their position as a bully pulpit!!
Do we need a school? Yes, but under the right set of circumstances and with knowledge of what we are getting ourselves into for 20 yrs. along with assurances as much as they can give. Make sure the ballot wording isn’t vague and spells out where the money is to go.
For how long and not just give a blank check.
Too wordy, I could go on all night. Thanks for this blog, it’s very constructive and informative.
I don’t understand why, when you made the comments you did about the present high school building, you are willing to spend, I believe it’s $1.1million dollars on it?
Wouldn’t have negotiating with the citizens presented bond issue have been more feasible?
Just asking your thoughts.
By the way, thanks for the blog