Having thought about it a bit more, I agree that an appointment is probably a better course of action. When I posted my question to the Issues list I meant it honestly although you might have noticed the slightly leading third part reflecting my bias for a November election. In my mind, Special Elections are a necessary evil. The people deserve representation when decisions are being made but I question how democratic it is to elect people in elections outside of the norm. It bugs me even more that these elections sometimes happen on days other than Tuesday (thankfully the Commissioner's primary and general election were at least on the conventional day). In addition, it would be difficult for someone new to join the board in the middle of a normal budget process, much less one involving the types of cuts that will have to be made this year. After a little investigative work (an e-mail to the ever-helpful staff at the Saint Paul Public Schools Business Office), I came up with the following link: http://businessoffice.spps.org On the lefthand toolbar click on Budget Guidelines Within the Guidelines it is the document labeled "SCIP Budget Planning Timeline for Fiscal Year 2005-06" As a new member of the Citizens Budget and Finance Advisory Committee (CBFAC) I am trying to help make this budget process more transparent through this year's group. However, I must confess that I find it a bit daunting. By the way, CBFAC minutes are also posted on the buisness office website. If anyone has any particular questions they would like us to consider, please let me know. Matt Flory Mac Groveland
Rachel Gillespie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I am writing in response to Matt Florey's question regarding the school board vacancy, (caused by the special election and Toni Carter vacating the school board). I would imagine that many of the issues that come before the school board will be budget issues due to the lack of funding given to St. Paul Public Schools. As to the school board's plan of action, I know the school board meets on Tuesday (the 22nd) and I believe they will make a decision regarding the vacancy then and not before then. For me, as a candidate for school board, I think we would be better served by appointing someone to school board who has already served and is uninterested in serving a full-term again (Gilbert DeLao maybe?). I think a Special Election, although it sounds like a whole lot of fun, would be very expensive and would not give many of the voters enough time to make an educated decision. Another option would be for the school board to allow anybody to apply for school board seat. The school board could interview and choose who they perceive to be the most qualified candidate, (irregardless of whether they plan on being on the ballot in November). I think St. Paul would be better served and it would be more democratic if the school board appointed somebody who previously served on school board or if they appointed no one at all and let the people decide; however, I would also love to have the on-the-job experience of being appointed the interim school board member with the hope of being elected in November to better serve our community. Thank you, Rachel Kaiyalethe Gillespie (651)644-3019 --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
