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Post by doctorwho on Jun 10, 2011 19:24:42 GMT -6
Casey, I am not sure where the public outcry is that you speak of. With 10-12% voter turnout in the last election I would suspect that 80% + are busy with other issues. An army of volunteers pushing an operations ref may be a lot easier to pass than you think. Now would be an ideal time to get one started especially if the state continues down it's present path. The magic Number IMO would be a 5% increase, most folks would not have an issue with a couple bucks a day. For that kind of cash there probably is not even a reason to show up to vote against it. sorry SSSM- I thimk you are dead wrong here-- mention tax increase and people other than parents will show up at the polls and vote- guaranteed. Why do you thik Quinn lost 102 of 105 counties in this state- but the Madiganistan army got the sheep in Chicago to come out to save their jobs. sb elections might not normally draw much but a tax increase will. |
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Post by treehugger on Jun 11, 2011 11:17:00 GMT -6
I think retrofitting air conditioning is not a wise use of tax dollars. It is a short period of time on the calendar. Yes, is uncomfortable,. I have worked in 95-100 degree classrooms and the kids get through it, probably better than the adults. Frankly, I would like to see people focus more on dressing their kids more appropriately for bitter cold weather. We live in a cold weather climate with few warm weather issues. You would be amazed at the number of kids sent to school in light jackets on below zero wind chill days.
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Post by EagleDad on Jun 11, 2011 17:50:59 GMT -6
I think retrofitting air conditioning is not a wise use of tax dollars. It is a short period of time on the calendar. Yes, is uncomfortable,. I have worked in 95-100 degree classrooms and the kids get through it, probably better than the adults. Frankly, I would like to see people focus more on dressing their kids more appropriately for bitter cold weather. We live in a cold weather climate with few warm weather issues. You would be amazed at the number of kids sent to school in light jackets on below zero wind chill days. I agree (with retrofitting not being a wise use of tax dollars). This is an issue we face year after year for just a few days. Thankfully this year it was (relatively) minor, even in the apparently hell inspiring oven of white eagle  . |
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Post by rchurch on Jun 23, 2011 7:40:00 GMT -6
"Retrofitting" the school calendar is a cost-effective way to address the lack of air conditioning in 19 of our elementary buildings. Start in September, end in May and you'll likely avoid the heat.
June, July and August are the hottest months here. Despite that, the school board starts classes in August and ends in June.
Wonder why? High school sports. Teams start practicing in August so all the kids are back, according to Kathy Birkett, then deputy superintendent when asked.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves: What is educationally beneficial for our students?
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Post by EagleDad on Jun 23, 2011 12:09:11 GMT -6
Maybe they could articulate the building in august instead of in the middle of the school year?
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Post by incognito on Jun 24, 2011 12:45:36 GMT -6
Maybe they could articulate the building in august instead of in the middle of the school year? Funny! District 204 is very inflexible and non progressive. Which is very unfortunate. In Minnesota, it is a state law that no public school start until after Labor Day (tourism $$ at play here). But, they still have high school sports. I hate all the cop out answers District 204 board members and administators give. They give the public the idea that they are absolutely cluleless when they give some answers. What about the 1/2 day the WHOLE district gets so the high school can give standardized tests? You mean the kids can't have real school for the morning and then test in the afternoon...seriously, I can go on and on with the inefficiencies in the school calendar. If they'd figure it out, they could easily retrofit the calendar to 'beat the heat'. But, since my kids are fall high school athletes, I love the August start - the earlier the better - but I do agree there is no learning going on in our elementary schools after Memorial Day - heat or no heat. That really should be addressed. |
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Post by treehugger on Jun 25, 2011 8:21:46 GMT -6
I would argue that not much goes on after spring break with all the half days, institute days and other days off. In what world, besides the world of academia, do workers get to choose when they will be off through their union? Please educate me. Most companies give fewer and fewer holidays each year. In a unit district such as ours, the high schools dictate the schedule. In districts where the high school is a separate taxing district, not so much. Now there's a thought!!
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 2, 2011 22:51:35 GMT -6
Casey, I am not sure where the public outcry is that you speak of. With 10-12% voter turnout in the last election I would suspect that 80% + are busy with other issues. An army of volunteers pushing an operations ref may be a lot easier to pass than you think. Now would be an ideal time to get one started especially if the state continues down it's present path. The magic Number IMO would be a 5% increase, most folks would not have an issue with a couple bucks a day. For that kind of cash there probably is not even a reason to show up to vote against it. take note what happened in Wheatland re: their building-- the tide has turned and those people weren't pissed on like many of us were for that $150M sham on Eola. The fact that voters here were flat out lied to will also become an issue there also will be a small army working very hard not to give Curt and the rest of his drunken sailor spenders another nickle to spend before they are ousted from majority next election. The party is over in 204..it's a shame it took this long however |
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Post by southsidesignmaker on Jul 3, 2011 11:30:09 GMT -6
Doc,
There is a big difference between the wheatland situation and district 204. The vast majority of voters in 204 are satisfied with the school situation. At least satisfied enough to to pass right past the voting booth (almost 90%).
The Wheatland situation was taken down by very few in that voting district. Along with the simple fact that township government is a vestige of a bygone era and should be disassembled completely.
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 4, 2011 14:43:06 GMT -6
Doc, There is a big difference between the wheatland situation and district 204. The vast majority of voters in 204 are satisfied with the school situation. At least satisfied enough to to pass right past the voting booth (almost 90%). The Wheatland situation was taken down by very few in that voting district. Along with the simple fact that township government is a vestige of a bygone era and should be disassembled completely. you do realize that some of the lowest % of turnout for the last SB election was in Wheatland right ? Also the Wheatland situation actually got some fair press coverage ( maybe a sign of a change also) , unlike the butt kissing the Herald and Sun did to the 204 SB.... as the new king and the 3 drones draw closer and closer to unveiling the referendum request - it will change from being a how happy are you with out communications survey - to a tax increase situation. And today more than 1 SB member will ensure those discussion get made public.. |
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Post by treehugger on Jul 5, 2011 5:59:43 GMT -6
In regard to the passing of a referendum in the near future (1-2 years), all it takes is the perfect storm of enough yes votes and low voter turnout. The most important thing to do is vote. Saying no, wanting no tax increase, only means no when you vote no. It's that simple.
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Post by Arch on Jul 5, 2011 6:43:27 GMT -6
In regard to the passing of a referendum in the near future (1-2 years), all it takes is the perfect storm of enough yes votes and low voter turnout. The most important thing to do is vote. Saying no, wanting no tax increase, only means no when you vote no. It's that simple. Exactly. Not voting does not mean NO. |
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