Re: [Winona] Offices at High School

[lbfort]

[Winona Online Democracy]

Kathy asked what WOD could do to be part of the solution. I for one come to this site/forum for information I do not get anywhere else.  By being  well informed citizens perhaps we will be better able to give input to solve problems that arise in our county.  Also in reference to distrust citizens might have towards the school district, I agree.   We have been given half truths far too many times. (in my opinion). Linda Fort [Winona Online Democracy] I see three different sub-issues here (maybe four) in this big issue of remodeling at the high school.   1) Concerns about the content of the decision (i.e., concerns about the proposed outcome of the office and parking locations and the cost. 2) Concerns about the process (i.e., how and to what extent Sr. High administration and staff were consulted or involved in developing the plan). 3) A desire for information that has been frustrated. 4) Mistrust--which when combined with #3 appears to be leading to false conclusions.   I find Anne and Ed's posts to be enlightening to me.  The only conclusion I can draw is that the public drama is so far gone that it is interfering with the Board and Administration's ability to respond in a meaningful way (i.e., energy is going to put out "anger" fires instead of being able to build support based on reason and facts).  I have to assume that they all want to do their best and the right thing by all of us and our kids.   I feel so disheartened by this kind of thing.  It leaves me wanting to run away from civic involvement rather than be committed to it.  What needs to happen so that one can truly make a difference instead of just be involved in what seems to end up being drama that can't possibly realize its purpose?  I think that is part of what Ed was suggesting and I know that Anne is totally committed to being a part of the solution.  What more can we do at WOD to be part of solution?   Kathy Seifert ----- Original Message ----- From: Anne Morse To: 'Ed Thompson' ; winona@mnforum.org Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 7:49 AM Subject: RE: [Winona] Offices at High School [Winona Online Democracy] Ed,   Your suggestion that we offer a solution to the remodeling of the high school makes good sense, assuming we are able to access the details of the administrative plan as it developed, including the other options considered and why they were rejected.  Despite my specific request for that information in this forum some five days ago, these critical details have yet to be provided by the administration.  I know that the request was received, because I received an email response from Mr. Durand offering to sit down with me 1 � 1 to explain �the other side of the story�.  When I took him up on his offer, he then responded that someone would be contacting me to schedule such an appointment.  That was two days ago, and I have heard nothing about when such a meeting would be scheduled.  I had hoped to be able to review the relevant information, and propose other options to the board before Thursday�s meeting if they made sense, but that now appears to be impossible.  Not for lack of my trying, however.    I never asked for a 1 on 1 with the superintendent.  I only asked for information related to the work of the committee�s work, which would not have required these delays due to scheduling. Clearly, I am frustrated, and justifiably so. The process used to reach this remodeling plan was not open, and now this?    I truly hope the board does not proceed to a decision on this remodeling at their meeting tomorrow.  The community of Winona deserves to be allowed to thoughtfully consider of the facts and conclusions in this substantial decision.    Anne Morse   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ed Thompson Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 12:21 AM To: winona@mnforum.org Subject: [Winona] Offices at High School   Dwayne recently posted the following: About a dozen people have contacted me and thanked me for bringing the High School remodeling proposal to their attention.  They said they had no idea what was really being proposed.While I appreciate the feedback, I think it would be even more helpful if people would also contact the School Board members.  A few of them subscribe to this listserve but most of them do not. If you have thoughts, opinions, or suggestions regarding the plan to move the  roughly 20 administrative office staff smack dab in the middle of the High School, please consider contacting the School Board members. While good advice, this is incomplete and very unlikely to have any effect except to get more people angry.  Having been around this block a few times myself, from both sides of the podium, I have a few additions which can both help keep tensions in check and maybe even help solve the problem. 1)  Before you contact any school board members, do your homework first.  Actually read any proposals thoroughly and be sure you understand both the details and the cost analyses.  Make a strong effort to understand both the budgetting processes and the decison-making processes which the board uses, and how your suggestions fit into these.  2)  When you contact board members, be very specific about exactly what it is you would like them to do.  Simply expressing your dislike of (or support for) a proposal is not only useless in getting things changed, but it is poor citizenship.  Our school district already has a lifetime supply of negativity. 3)  Don't tell them what you don't want them to do - that accomplishes nothing except to get people angry and frustrated.  Tell them what you do want them to do.  That is, don't tell them the problem, tell them your solution.  For example:  if you don't think moving adminstrative offices to the high school at all is a good idea, tell them exactly where you think these offices should go instead AND be sure you include the costs of your suggestions.  If you think it's a good idea to move them to the high school but not into the concourse, explain where in the building you think they should go instead and include the costs of remodelling and relocation.  If you are unwilling or unable to do that, you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Ed Thompson _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at  http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. 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