OUCH!!!! This is only the 2nd time I've
expressed my concerns to WDON and I've been reduced to pathetic... No wonder
people are hesitant to share their thoughts and concerns in this
forum. That's the problem.. where in the inclusivity and respect for
others thoughts???? I want to help.. not get slammed and
remember I'm talking about the Perception in the
community from my vantage point.
Offf to get a bandaid!!
Pat
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 10:11
PM
Subject: Referendum
Pat, first of
all, "everyone you talk to" does not represent anything close to what I've
heard as opinions in the community. Contrary to your belief, many
in the community support the move of administration to the high school and the
improvement of the media/library center because it is cost effective and
educationally sound. Last I knew, the district was in the business
of educating children not saving windows (which by the way need replacement
because they aren't energy efficient). Early on, some (maybe those
you talk to) have been convinced that the referendum would not pass if the
concourse windows were affected. The CSPE group was a leader in the
opposition, but they were not and are not the majority, nor do they represent
the best interests of students when they continue their tirade. That
issue is done. Now saying you want to help but won't because you or
others are unhappy with how that issue is being settled is worse
than sour grapes, it's pathetic. I believe that the community
should organize a "vote of no confidence" for the CSPE, a group that
knowingly spread misinformation to promote their own cause.
In June, School Board member, Natalie Siderius,
read the following statement at a Board meeting and the Post
printed it. Perhaps you haven't seen or read the
information. Perhaps you could do so now that it is readily
accessible to you. The citizens
committee for the referendum are trying to organize votes that help our
students, teachers, and this community for the long term. Get on
board!
Statement by Natalie Siderius
Misinformation #1. A less costly alternative has been proposed to
relocate central administrative staff currently housed in the Lincoln
Building. Fact: No proposal, including the CSPEs East Wing Plan, has been
shown to be less costly than the Relocation Committee and Boards concourse
plan. The concourse plan relocates all Lincoln administrative staff at a
construction cost of approximately $446,482 or $44.24 per square foot. The
CSPEs East Wing proposal allegedly relocates half of the administrative
personnel at half the cost ($223,241). Relocating the other half of the staff
would reasonably add another $223,241 to the cost, and the additional loss of
two High School classrooms. By any honest accounting, the total cost for the
East Wing proposal is no less than that of the concourse plan and educational
space is negatively impacted. To take classroom space, the Board would be
surrendering to larger class sizes, fewer classes, fewer teachers and less
rigor. Additionally, previous estimates prepared for the High Schools East
Wing indicated a cost of $64.85 and $68.74 per square foot in two different
versions of the plan, substantially higher costs than the concourse plan.
Misinformation #2. The administrative relocation plan is too costly
and a glass palace. Fact: The School Districts plan is very cost effective
at $44.24 per square foot. As a comparison, the County is looking at a range
of $70 to $125 per square foot for their costs of relocating offices from the
Plaza Building. These costs are roughly 1/3 to 3 times higher than the School
Districts plan.
Misinformation #3. The School District shouldnt have closed the
Lincoln Building. Fact: The District will more than recoup the costs of the
move through the sale of Lincoln and savings realized in capital, personnel
and operational costs. Sale of Lincoln $700,000; Savings from Lincolns short
term capital needs (roof, tuckpointing, boiler, etc.) $200,000+; Lincolns
Operational Cost Savings over 10 Years ($35,000/yr) $350,000; Move of
Buildings/Grounds to District Office Cost Savings over 10 years $400,000+
(over $20,000/yr reduction in secretarial costs & operational savings of
$20,000/yr); Other Efficiencies in District Offices being centralized, to be
determined; Long Term Capital Needs to bring Lincoln Building to Code
$2,000,000; Total Long Term Savings $3,650,000+. Further, the school district
loses no state aid based on the per-pupil formula from the closure of the
Lincoln Building as it has from other building closures.
Misinformation #4. The Board has ignored public input on the
administrative staff relocation. Fact: The Board has been listening to public
comment regarding this relocation for over two years. The CSPE presented for
35 minutes at the Boards May 19 th meeting. Some commentary has been
respectful and helpful and some has been less so, but all of it has reinforced
the Boards view that most peoples concerns are addressed by the Relocation
Committees concourse plan. In addition, the Board is appointing three
committees/teams to further address the administrative relocation, library and
long term remodeling needs at the High School. Each of these committees/teams
will include a Board member, community members, teachers, staff, parents and
students; a very representative mix of people able to resolve the issues at
hand. Further, Board Chair Laber invited the CSPE group to choose
representatives and participate in the Boards committees/teams. The CSPE
rejected this offer and chose to run their own process.
Misinformation #5. The updated library/media center under the
concourse plan is unnecessary and would not be staffed anyway. Fact: Student
performance is enhanced when up-to-date books and instructional technology are
accessible. The library/media center will be staffed. The library/media center
is not currently used by students or teachers out of past neglect (average
copyright date of 1971 and less than 1000 books checked out in a school year
compared with over 25,000 checked out at the Middle School). Remodeling the
library/media center so it is on one floor enables one person to staff the
entire library/media center rather than the two-person staff currently needed.
The staff savings in the operational budget would equal the total cost of the
project ($700,000) in less than ten years.
Misinformation #6. Capital spending can be used for operational
expenses. Fact: Under current law, this is not possible. The law could of
course be changed by the state legislature. The school board has not asked for
such a fund transfer due to a strong local demand for capital improvements.
Misinformation #7. The School Board is proposing painful cuts to
scare voters into supporting a future referendum. Fact: The Board has no
choice but to vote for cuts necessary to keep the district from statutory
operating debt. If the $3 million in cuts were not passed by the Board, the
district would not legally be able to negotiate contracts for its employees.
Misinformation #8. Closing elementary schools is the answer to the
budget shortfall. Fact: This has been tried, and has consistently failed to
produce anything but net losses in revenue for the district because state aid
is based on a per-pupil formula and many families simply choose charter or
private education for their children, which produces further reductions in the
districts state funding. Additionally, after almost 20 years of debate on
closing schools and deep division in the community, the Board has chosen to
take a different tack to fully utilize our buildings through partnership
opportunities that enhance educational value, provide revenue to the district
or both.
Misinformation #9. The School Board is draining the capital fund.
Fact: The Board will have approximately $830,000 dollars in the capital fund
to be used on other capital needs even though we are funding the new
library/media center and the Lincoln Relocation. These funds are the
districts annual capital allocation from the State and will be allocated to
building projects, energy projects, textbooks and technology throughout the
district. Further, the School Board has authorized a facilities study for the
high school and all elementary buildings. This allows the Board to prepare a
plan to address all of the deferred maintenance in the district.
Misinformation #10. There is lots of empty space in the elementary
buildings. Fact: Most space is now being utilized through moving of Lincoln
programs and new partnerships. ECFE and ECSE programs will now be housed at
Goodview. Central School is now the site for Key Kids. Jefferson Schools
basement is being leased and remodeled by the Hiawatha Valley Education
District to house an elementary at-risk program. Future partnerships for other
buildings are being pursued. Programmatic facility changes which enhance
education are also being considered such as moving libraries from hallways and
closets, moving music rooms from basements, etc. The elementary facility
review currently being completed will help the district determine best
programmatic space usage. The Superintendent and Board are working hard to
ensure that all of the districts space is used efficiently.
Misinformation #11. The Board is not fiscally responsible. Fact:
This Board, Superintendent and administrative team have saved this district
millions of dollars and was recently awarded the State Department of
Educations Comprehensive School Finance Award, its highest fiscal award.
Savings or Enhanced Revenues: bond refinance $1,700,000; two tier busing
system $650,000/yr; energy program $33,000/ every 4 months; one day bond issue
$392,000; copier contract consolidation $15,000/yr; central printing re-vamp
$65,000/yr; SE Tech partnership on WMS fields $85,000; HVED partnership
$12,000/yr.+ $40,000 building improvements; Food Service Charge Back
$67,000/yr; Closure of Maintenance Building $20,000/yr + $30,000/yr potential
revenue; Business Office Staff absorbed student activity accounting, internal
audit preparation, operational efficiencies $62,000/yr.; other partnerships,
cost savings and revenue enhancements.
It is time for the community to allow this Board to work through the
unresolved issues surrounding the Lincoln Relocation through the process and
committees/teams it has put in place. I have complete faith that satisfactory
resolution will be achieved.
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