Rocky - Chronicles of my decision - First Post

[rocky]

I am new to this website and am amazed at the information and various viewpoints.

I have decided to use the next 3 weeks to become educated on the referendum issue and cast a vote one way or the other on 3/21.

I voted NO last year.

I admit that I didn't know much about last years referendum, but in general, I feel that politicians (I include the school board in this vague classification) don't spend taxpayer money wisely and are not as "tight" with MY money as I am. In my business, we have been CUTTING our budgets 5% each year and are EXPECTED to get the same results (actually better results). And after all the complaining, I consistently am amazed that we somehow get it done. This feeling that governments & school districts are "entitled" to 5% increases each year makes me ill.

When I bought my house 6 years ago, I paid approx $5,500 in property taxes. In 2005, I paid just over $11,000. That is a ridiculous increase.

I welcome feedback from the "Yes Crowd" and the "No Crowd" to help me see the light on this years referendum. I am also committed to seeking answers myself this year.

Between now and 3/21, I will post updates periodically, exposing my findings, thought process, and most importantly, which way I am leaning.

[warriorpride]

Welcome Rocky. I hope this helps you make an informed decision: ipsd204.proboards76.com/index.cgi?board=school&action=display&thread=1140797411

[gumby]

Rocky,

Land and housing properties have gone up quite a bit over the years and we are all paying higher taxes. But, if we are needing a new school (given that you believe in the numbers), can we reallt afford to have the referndum fail?

Also, it does not seem like there would be an immediate increase in outlay of tax money anyway, if the school district refinances. We would pay for a longer time, but we should not see an actual dollar increase for the building of the school.

What does the 5% figure represent?

Also, even though in business we can cut costs, in this case, a physical building is needed to house all the kids. No amount of cost cutting would seem to obviate that need.

[wvhsparent]

Welcome Rocky!

I hope you can use this board as a good sounding board for yourself.

Just for some FYI I am(was in the same boat as you). I also work for "the government"
we've had our budgets cut for the past several years too, (By as much as almost 20%)...we managed.
So if there is anything you need answered or if you need to be pointed in some direction please ask.

Again welcoma aboard!!

[cantretirehere]

Welcome Rocky, may your road to enlightenment be swift, smooth and painless!

[charmant]

Welcome Rocky

Where have you started gathering your info??

I suggest you read read read the newspaper archives, ipsd.org, voteno.org and the threads here.

Good luck in your search I will be interested to read your updates

[gumby]

Also the 204thekids.org site to balance out the voteno site.

[EagleDad]

Welcome Rocky

Thank you for keeping an open mind and revisting your prior thinking. It is the truly wise man who is open to changing their views over time as they get more information.


I

[forthekids]

eagledad said:

Welcome Rocky

Thank you for keeping an open mind and revisting your prior thinking. It is the truly wise man who is open to changing their views over time as they get more information.


I

I just had some good news. I heard a friend of mine who had voted no in the previous referendums is voting YES! I have to hear from her why she changed her mind, but she is very intelligent and I am sure she did her own research. Also, it doesn't affect her child directly, he will be staying at WVHS. So, Rocky, stay with this site and you should learn a lot to help you in your quest.

[fence]

It would be interesting to hear what made her change her mind, if you wouldn't mind sharing something like that after you talk to her.

[cantretirehere]

I have a three very intelligent friends who have changed from YES to NO in the last month. People are really thinking about the issues. Whether YES or NO, that is a good thing.

[momin204]

While this board and the varioius websites and newspapers offer great sources of information, I would encourge you to attend one of the remaining coffee with the board meetings. These meetings offer you an opportunity to speak directly with members of the school board.

[stop204]

I Love Soccer Moms!

;-P

[fence]

stop204 said:

I Love Soccer Moms!

;-P

Please watch the comments. Topher is trying to keep this board productive, not a place for people to insult those who don't agree with a certain position.

[fence]

rocky said:

I am new to this website and am amazed at the information and various viewpoints.

I have decided to use the next 3 weeks to become educated on the referendum issue and cast a vote one way or the other on 3/21.

I voted NO last year.

I admit that I didn't know much about last years referendum, but in general, I feel that politicians (I include the school board in this vague classification) don't spend taxpayer money wisely and are not as "tight" with MY money as I am. In my business, we have been CUTTING our budgets 5% each year and are EXPECTED to get the same results (actually better results). And after all the complaining, I consistently am amazed that we somehow get it done. This feeling that governments & school districts are "entitled" to 5% increases each year makes me ill.

When I bought my house 6 years ago, I paid approx $5,500 in property taxes. In 2005, I paid just over $11,000. That is a ridiculous increase.

I welcome feedback from the "Yes Crowd" and the "No Crowd" to help me see the light on this years referendum. I am also committed to seeking answers myself this year.

Between now and 3/21, I will post updates periodically, exposing my findings, thought process, and most importantly, which way I am leaning.

I guess my direct feedback would be first to say welcome and good luck with your decision. I think its a hard one.

I would say that you might ask yourself if supporting a need for space is connected to supporting waste in government. Did those who voted for the Senior Drug Plan automatically support the general waste in Washington, or did they just support the plan because it was good for the country's seniors? In your business scenario, if you did not have leadership with the "budget conscious" philosophy, having your budget cut in the absence of any corporate phisosophy would not make you all of a sudden adopt a certain going forward policy. It would just shortchange one of your projects.

If people are interested in political reform, it comes from specific action, be that running for local office or supporting political leaders that share your viewpoint and objectives.

People who do vote "no" to demonstrate that they are dissatisfied with current leadership, must then be willing to take specific further action towards the reform they desire. Otherwise it will result in a complete lack of progress in either direction. In this case, we would be left with a lack of space, and lack of any tangible plan to reform the system. Not a good combination.