Of Cats and Kids
Look at that - mystery solved
Posted by: Carol Lombardi
Thursday, March 9, 2006 3:51 PM
Ok, then, see how quickly that was resolved? Thank you, Mr. Miller. See, I didn't even consider that perhaps the people involved were just too busy doing their thing to let us know who they are.I was actually hoping that the discussion would wander toward what Unit-4 Excellence was actually saying, but maybe I need to be more direct.
The implication seems to be that if one does not support flinging more money at the schools, one is not in favor of education. Is it possible to be a fan of BOTH education AND fiscal responsibility? Does anyone think that maybe having an administration-heavy school system cowering under a consent decree is actually part of the problem? And that shiny new schools and air conditioning are not going to resolve that? And that in order to solve the actual problems, Unit 4 is going to be back in a year or three asking for even more of our money?
Comments
First, let me thank you for the level of professionalism and integrity you are bringing to this discussion. It is wonderful that an Online Editor of the News-Gazette is keeping the discussion of a topic as important as education on such a high level.
I apologize that any issue concerns you were attempting to raise earlier were not addressed. Apparently, your comments about ulterior motives and references to the Wizard of Oz were not taken as issue-related.
This referendum is not about flinging more money at the schools as you call it. The proposal was carefully considered by the Citizens Facility Study Commission and addresses many legitimate concerns around the community. The fact of the matter is that district growth to the north and south requires more space, and that inequality between buildings has become too serious to ignore.
As for providing both education AND fiscal responsibility, the referendum is just that. $66 million is a lot of money, but we need to consider it with the perspective of scale. First, interest-rates are at a low that will not be available again in the foreseeable future. Delaying on these necessary building projects will only cost the District millions more in the long run. Second, the proposal covers many projects. Eight schools will receive energy-efficient renovations, and three new schools will be built, including a new Dr. Howard. Merely renovating Dr. Howard is not responsible, because this would cost well more than half the cost of building new. Finally, the average cost to homeowners will only by $3.50 per month.
The referendum is about educating with fiscal responsibility. At the same time, it moves the District toward fulfilling the Consent Decree.
At the bottom line, the referendum will create equitable conditions in all Unit 4 elementary schools. There is no reason for students and parents to be faced with such discrepancies in the buildings and environments within the same district.
If anyone is interested in finding more actual information about the referendum, they should visit the website http://www.u4excellence.org
Posted by jritten2 on March 9, 2006 at 9:42 PM
