[Winona Online Democracy]
I agree with Ed. It is too early to decide on a referendum and what it would
be for. A referendum on facilities is much different that an operating
referendum. I think Mr. Durand is accurate in exploring our facilities and
their state of repair/disrepair. As a former school board member, we often
took criticism for the maintenance of our facilities. I'm sure we all
remember the lengthy debate about the old middle school, during the
referendum process for that vote.
I am glad that we have a superintendent that is looking at facilities.
During the cutting process, maintenance took a $50K hit. That is pretty
significant. I am concerned about not only the state of our older
buildings, but our newest ones. Are we on top of taking care of the New
Middle School and Rollingstone? The custodian from Rollingstone retired
this spring. We have had a local person apply to replace her only to be
told that district maintenance would be taking care of the building from
Winona. There has not been a custodian in the building since her
retirement. I think Building and Grounds and the Superintendent should be
looking at this situation. Paying for windshield time to get custodial help
to Rollingstone certainly could be close to having a local person fill the
position. I have forwarded a letter from our City Council to School Board
and Superintendent regarding this issue. If facilities are going to last, we
need to take care of them now and not ignore them.
Having been involved with the hiring of 2 superintendents, Ed is
certainly correct that the new person has to get the pulse of the district
and use the information to help guide the school board into making good
policy decisions. The upcoming School Board election should be a great
opportunity for the communities and candidates to discuss all the issues, I
look foreword to the debate.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 11:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Referendum ??
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> At 08:55 AM 7/20/04 -0500, Craig B. wrote:
> What do people think about the Winona School District putting a referendum
> on the General Election ballot in November?
> and Linda F. responsed:
> >**I am enraged, flabergasted(is that a real word?) and think the new
> >superintendt has a lot of nerve (another word comes to mind) coming in
and
> >saying 'they need' more money again. It almost makes me wonder who was
> >behind getting him hired. I wish the students could all have new
> >computers too, along with new books, etc. But as long as the teachers
> >have the political power of tenure(yes I think it is political) their pay
> >takes most of our school's budget. This could lead to another topic on
> >tenure. Which I totally disagree with. Where else can you do a poor job
> >and get paid for it as long as you show up??
> >I already vote no on the referendum. What about all the money that is
> >'left over' from the Middle School? Use that for the improvements he
says
> >are 'necessary'. I cannot believe there is money left over from that
> >building. I could go on and on because the school board really gets me
> >riled, so I will stop for now. :-)
> >Linda
> >The most damaging phrase in the language is: 'It's always been done that
way.'
>
>
> Forum members,
>
> There are many people who feel the way Linda does. It is always easy
> for some people to see a conspiracy, I suppose, but it is rarely either
> true or productive. Instead of more complaints, the Winona community
needs
> people who can put their personal agendas (e.g. Linda's comments about
> tenure and referenda) aside, look objectively at all sides of an issue,
and
> come up with well thought out solutions. Now: let's move back to
> something productive: the originally question which Craig posed:
>
> My guess, from working with quite a few superintendents, is that Mr.
> Durand has floated a "trial balloon" to see what the public response
> is. The newly hired head of any organization, at least if they are any
> good at getting things done, tries to use the "honeymoon" period shortly
> after hiring to jump-start things before the "we've always done it that
> way" crowd reestablishes itself.
>
> That the public schools have been woefully underfunded for many years
> is a sad reality we must all deal with. One of the few ways a school
> district has to control its own destiny is through public referenda. I
> look forward to Mr. Durand presenting his arguments to the school board,
> and if they agree to the school board presenting its arguments to the
> public. Only then will I decide whether to support a referendum or
> not. To make up my mind now, without the necessary information, would be
a
> pretty dumb idea.
>
> Ed Thompson
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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