Dan McGuire posts that he is disappointed that this mornings's article repeats the 800-empty-classroom claim from school administrators last winter. Maybe this point got obscured in the editing of the article, but I noted that opponents disputed many of the district's figures. I know this is one that was disputed. The whole point of hiring someone from the outside was to check district figures. Had the consultant released some of these updated figures, I would have used these, but the district and facilities consultant so far aren't giving these out.
Dan also notes that the district is entering into closing decisions without a comprehensive plan for the future. That's true. However, one set of consultants has developed a set of community values that are supposed to guide the closing plan (which may be more complex than a simple closing plan). Whether those are a proper substitute for a comprehensive plan is a call anyone is free to make. It's clear that the district has more information than guided its closing decisions last February. People can decide for themselves if that's sufficient information. Dan notes that the meeting attendance was often poor. However, people were free to comment by e-mail as well. Dan worries that the meeting attendance makes the results less than representative of the community. That's the nature of any community meeting or Internet-based process. The motivated show up; those who don't care don't. Steve Brandt Staff writer Star Tribune Phone: 612-673-4438 Fax: 612-673-4359 425 Portland Av. Minneapolis, MN 55488 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
