8 Questions For The School Board
Eight questions and accompanying comments were presented to the school board for their consideration about investing over $1,300,000 on a new track.
The board needs to consider the consequences of their decisions on the entire student body and the community.
1. How is the track going to improve student test scores?
We have 29% of the 11th graders not testing proficient in Math and 17% not testing proficient in Reading.
The school is on a watch list because it did not meet federal educational standards.
Shouldn't' t the board be investing in the future of the children by helping them in the classroom?
2. How is the track going to get students into college?
This is a rhetorical question, because it will not get students into college.
3. How is the track going to get students a job?
This too is a rhetorical question because it will not get a student a job.
4. How much money has been raised by supporters to pay for the track?
So far, only $180,000 has been pledged toward a $1,300,000 track. The supporters said they were going to fund at least half the cost.
Where is this money?
5. Why is there a rush to build a track?
If this track has community support then the board should have no problems placing the proposal on a ballot referendum.
Why not let the community decide if they want to spend an enormous amount of money on an non-educational expense?
6. Why hasn't the board looked into a less expensive solution to redo the track?
Surely, it is the obligation of the board to review all alternatives for such a project. To do otherwise, would be a dereliction of their fiscal duty.
7. How many programs will suffer because $1,300,000 will be spent on a track?
The board already cut over $300,000 of educational items from the 2006 budget. How much more will they cut just to have a synthetic track?
8. How is the track going to provide property relief for seniors on fixed incomes or young families buying a home or struggling to keep a home?
Another rhetorical question, because increased, frivolous spending will place even more burdens on our small bedroom community.
A supporter of the track felt blind sighted at the meeting when these questions were presented.
The posting offers the community an opportunity to discuss these concerns as well as others.
4 Comments:
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE ANSWERING, BUT OF COURSE THEY WILL NOT. EVERYONE OF THEM SIT ON THIS BOARD LIKE A BUNCH OF SCARED KITTENS AFRAID TO SAY OR ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS. THEY KNOW WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TELLING THEM AND ASKING THEM IS THE TRUTH, THEY JUST DO NOT CARE WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY. ONE DAY THEY ARE GOING TO ANSWER THE CALL. IF YOU CANNOT TALK TO THE TAXPAYERS REGARDING THE ISSUES OF THIS DISTRICT, THEN GET OFF THE BOARD.
Why don't the track parents answer the questions besides the board. They have not been able to raise the money they promised, now they want the taxpayers to dish it out. FAT CHANCE!!
Does anyone know how much the track parents raised for a new track? By any chance, did they raise enough for a new cinder track? With the economy the way it is, it would be hard to believe that companies other than those which have been selected by the board, could renovate the "old" track and make it good as new. It would have to cost a heck of a lot less than the fancy folks are talking about.
What is the deal with the synthetic track? What's the big sales pitch the installers are using? Are the runners able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?
How many companies were contacted for pricing? How many companies being considered are run by relatives of board members? There's a zinger! We're never supposed to question the Board? Well, times are changing.
I'd like to see a list of community track funding donors and how much money they have pledged. Making the list public may encourage others to donate ... if the list even exists. I doubt the pledged amount is anywhere near $180,000. The little group trying to raise money to build a swimming pool only raised about $5,000 or less in over a year, but the track group raised $180,000 almost over night. I doubt it.
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