[Winona Online Democracy]
I agree, Paul. It sounds like this is one area in which you see the "User
Fee" plan vs. tax dollars for funding tips the scales to being worth the
investment of tax dollars. :)!
Although we are on opposite sides of many issues, I am in total agreement
that having things like sports or arts be options only for families who can
afford them creates a huge gap in equality for our young people. Public
education is for everyone--it is a right, not a privilege. Not everyone
excels in core academics and its the arts and sports that keep them
interested and get them scholarships to college. It probably helps their
GPAs, too!!
How bad do the student to teacher ratios have to be before we fail our kids
because they fall through the cracks when there are so many of them to keep
track of and not enough time? Maybe it's already happening. Well it sure
isn't going to get any better with fewer teachers and longer school days.
I'm all for fiscal responsibility and I believe that the board has been so
based upon facts:
1. Closing of Ridgeway and Dakota schools
2. Saving money on transportation (2-tiered system, which BTW really sucks
for those of us who live on the outer boundaries of the district and have
kids catch the bus at 6:30 now instead of the 8:10 schedule before the new
system!)
3. Increased class sizes and reductions in staff
4. Elimination of courses and programs (e.g., all day kindergarden)
5. Lincoln relocation and finding additional resources (to local taxes) to
help with the capital improvements.
6. Creative partnerships to use space in current facilities and create new
revenue streams.
I believe that teachers took a wage freeze during the previous negotiation
rounds and that families with kids have made sacrifices, too. This is why
it upsets me to hear, "Why should we have to pay for education needs?" as
the rationale for voting "NO" on the referendum. How much is enough for
voters to become more confident that our schools are worth it?
I just hope that those folks won't be offended when I don't feel like
supporting their causes in the future.
Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Online Democracy" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 11:46 AM
Subject: [Winona] The Vote
[Winona Online Democracy]
The advocates of a public educational system with local control have much on
the line November 8th. If you believe in local control, which in my
opinion, means electing board members who represent the way we want our
school run and everything that goes on beyond the walls then vote yes and
support those hold those offices. If you vote no then you have either
decided that you would be a better board member, even if you have failed to
run or that the state can do a better job. Whatever we decide collectively
there are two things to think about.
Those who believe that athletics, music and other extra or co curricular are
not important will soon find out that those items are important to the kids
and parents who's kids participate. Important enough to move their kids to
another public school district under open enrollment or to the parochial
schools. Athletics and band were important to my three sons and I know
important in their well being and success as a parent, teacher, business
leader and engineer. And as a parent, I would have worked extra hours,
multiple jobs etc. to see that they could participate.
The value and importance of quality public schools can not be overstated.
More important is that the door is open and that opportunities exist for all
not just those who can afford to leave if funding falls short. A public
education is what enables all of our families to at some time to move into
better jobs, better lives and to become more productive citizens in a
democracy. The cost is small in comparison to the result if we fail to
provide the funding for the future leaders who will someday determine our
well being as seniors.
Vote Yes
Paul Double
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