[Winona Online Democracy]
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.
Who supports this move and how is it educationally sound?
Please be specific.
(Feel free to cite past news stories because chances are I have looked
at these stories and stopped reading them out of irritation and may
have overlooked something important.)
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.
How is it determined that CSPE is not the majority?
Has anyone conducted a straw poll of any form (unscientific or
scientific)?
How is it determined the Windows are not energy efficient as they let
in tremendous amounts of sunlight? (I am not refuting the claim, simply
questioning how the claim was made.)
The Glass Windows are the best part of that building. There are hardly
any windows in that building. There is no connection to the outside
world. It is disturbing. Taking those windows destroys the Soul of the
HS building and would make it the ugliest building in a town of classy
historic buildings.
Energy efficiency hardly justifies that plan. It can justify replacing
windows, but does not justify the other hideous aspects.
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
[snip]
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.
I was in the library quite frequently, when it was open--the last year
it was open. I read materials in there, but I never checked anything
out. Is that part of that usage data? I doubt it. Check out data for
books is hardly a useful data point when HS bureaucracy equated usage
as an offense worthy of excommunication.
Some materials have not changed since 1971 and that statistic would be
more meaningful if it related to specific categories, such as history
or geography.
Further, Siderius justifies the actions by comparing the expenses to
those of Winona County's move. Perhaps the same comparison can apply to
the library fact. How does the HS library compare to Winona State
University Library or the Winona Public Library?
[more snips]
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 district’s 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.
...
[snips]
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 Education’s 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.
This appears as a deflection of the criticism launched at the board, it
does not answer the prevailing criticisms.
FACT: I can have an opinion that the board is or is not fiscally
responsible.
FACT: School board members can agree or disagree with public opinions
of them regarding fiscal responsibility.
FICTION: School board members are the sole determiner of "fiscal
responsibility."
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.
The Lincoln move was purely political, a move designed to strike a blow
to the image of big government. In the process, they have scattered the
district's offices across so many buildings it would rival the mess
Winona County has for its buildings.
Congratulations this is a worthy accomplishment deserving of white
glove treatment. Champagne, anyone?
Cheers,
********************************************
David Dittmann
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