[Winona Online Democracy]
This came to me, "Is there a Statute that would allow Winona to become a Charter District?" This could be the answer to our problems or maybe creat new ones, but, it would be interesting. Bob Kaldunski Added, I think that I was a bit harsh on jolene so please accept this as an apology Bob
----- Original Message ----- From: "terri hyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Old Middle School
[Winona Online Democracy]
I would have liked there to be more time to better make the case for passing the levy, too. However, I do not agree that the public is not regularly and sometimes exhaustively informed about the budget woes of the district.
School board meetings are public, reported in the local newspapers and televised. Copies of the district's budget are available upon request. In addition, tapes of school board meetings are available for borrowing upon request. Budget cuts last year and and the years before that were well publicized, publicly debated and discussed. I agree that money is tight and has been for some time, but nowhere is it tighter than for the school districts in Minnesota, and across the nation.
The money that the referendum was not 'extra' but funds that would help to restore and maintain programs that have been or will likely be cut in order to keep the district from statutory operating debt. Just as in our homes, the school district has had to deal with increased costs in fuel, and electricity, insurance, and other necessary and ordinary expenses of operating a school district or a business or a home. If a business requires more funds to operate, it can increase its prices or expand its offerings or sell stock. If a family needs more income, family members can look for additional work or (guess what) go to school for more education to be qualified for a better paying job. If a school district needs funds, it must come before the voters, hat in hand.
There will always be a reason to decide to vote no on a school referendum. But there are currently about 4000 excellent reasons to vote in support of increasing school board operating funds sitting in classrooms throughout the district right now. And, God willing, many generations more to fill their seats. The question is, do we care more about holding on to our grudges, even tighter than we do our dollars, than we do about doing right by the children of this district?
Terri Hyle
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: Robert Kaldunski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>CC: Craig Brooks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,Online Democracy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [Winona] Old Middle School
>Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 10:27:08 -0600
>
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>
>Quoting Robert Kaldunski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
>
> > [Winona Online Democracy]
> >
>
>I sat on the Winona Area Catholic School Board for three years. I know that
>sitting on a School Board sometimes feels like you are wearing a target on your
>back. It is often the case that people do not understand or get a "good feel"
>for why decisions were or were not made. It is important to "OVER
>COMMUNICATE".
>
>Communication will help develop trust over time. I did not feel the School
>Board did a great job in communicating where the money for the new levy was
>specifically going, what dollars were going to be spent where. I also did not
>feel they did a good job in communicating what all has been done in the past
>couple of years to "tighten" the belt. It was my feeling, that not all was
>done, whether true or not, this is the perception of many and the only way to
>change that perception is communication.
>
>When I read an article a few days after the referandum stating the
>Superintendent has come up with several other ways to "tighten the belt", it
>only reinforces my position, that not everyting has been done.
>
>I would suggest the school board start keeping a track record on what
>specifically they have done to budget their money better and publicize this
>regularly. Where were the cuts made, what are the class sizes in all the
>schools, maintenance costs, etc. Where does the buck end and needed funds need
>to come in? Inform the public on a regular basis with this information rather
>than right before a referandum. People will get a better picture of what is
>going on with their tax dollars. Money is tight right now and has been for some
>time. People need to be reassured that extra spending is necessary. Janice
>Turek
>
>
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