Dan McGuire asks: > Also, Bob Gilbert left a few crucial questions unasked, or at least > unreported. One of the obvious questions is, why wasn't the list of 800 > "empty" classrooms available to the public back in February when their > supposed existence was the main factor in the notion to close schools.
The focus of the story was on the present budget cutting. The classroom capacity list's availability in February is a fairly small point at this stage, given that the district has released it on their Web site (as Dan has noted previously), and it was available to those who attended the district's pre-vote public discussion in February. At worst, it's part of how-the-district-bungled-the-February-closing plan, but that's yesterday's story and we're trying to look at today's news and tomorrow's effects. > Another important question would be, why weren't we talking about Title > I eligibility adjustments back in February. That IS a good question. As the story noted, the district received $1.7 million less in overall Title I money this year, a major reason for having to raise eligibility. Perhaps Marj Rolland or someone from the district can answer this question here, before the next Journal May 13. > And, what alternatives were considered other than 'spreading the pain > around' according to some vague criteria. The lack of focus regarding the > cuts leaves all of us wondering, waiting for the next shoe to drop, waiting > for a workable plan to get behind so we can plan our children's education. Again, a good question, but perhaps broader than the scope of this story, with dealt with initial cuts and their effects (more news and effects than analysis). I would also say Marj Rolland's quote was general, not vague - we just didn't have space for the detailed equation, much less any alternatives that are possible. (Our main focus was Southwest's 20-some schools, what they're getting and what they think they will lose - which wasn't easy to fit in the space we did have.) However, the district does publish a detailed formula every year, and officials take great pains to explain it to the press at least. All this said, Dan's points are good for us to keep in mind as we follow the story. We, too, can always be sharper about how we communicate to the public. David Brauer Editor, SW Journal and Skyway News Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
