[Winona Online Democracy]
I did a little checking with District contacts. The money from this referendum vote will be received July 1st, 2006, not immediately. The audit is from last fiscal year and will tell them the current financial status of the district (this is done every year). They feel it is extremely prudent to know the audited financial status of the district BEFORE recommending to spend any funds. Apparently the way the vote was taken at the board was to make these future cuts contingent on IF a referendum failed - not if it passed. This was a legal step necessary to pass a teacher/para-professional contract - guaranteeing structural balance. I agree with Kathy. It is way to premature to start a negative spin over how a reporter wrote an article. However, I also assume the District Administration and Board will be much more interested in public input into their decisions and invite debate and dialog rather than run from it.&nbs
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example would be two different reactions to my statement. One would be to say "you are wrong; we always invite public involvement". The other would be .."I'm sorry it looks and feels that way to you; we will try harder to provide ways of allowing all to be listened to and have all views seriously considered; do you have any suggestions for how we could do that?" I have heard too much defensiveness and counter attacks and not enough of the other. I hope that now we will work to heal wounds and work together.
Craig Brooks
Kathy Seifert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Kathy Seifert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
[Winona Online Democracy]
I can say that Ruth's letter piqued my curiosity about what was in the Daily News. This is what I found that I thought was relevant:Were not going to just jump into reinstating programs, Durand said. Were going to take our time to be thoughtful.Here's another spin for you all to consider:The Board has decided to re-instate all-day kindergarten in January before they see any fruit from the passage of the referendum. Now that's a sign of good faith that they mean what they've told us!Ruth even said that she didn't "expect that everything will be back in place tomorrow." Clearly she's not understanding the reasoning behind the audit and why it is a factor in decision-making at this point. Maybe someone can help us to clarify this.Let's not jump to mistrust and thinking that we're "being lied to." Rather, can we keep in mind that none of the school board members does this job with the intent of breaking the public trust? I don't think Mr. Durand would do himself any good to have deception as his goal and I am confident it is not.Can't we enjoy the hope that the passage of question #1 brings for little while before we brace ourselves for the next big conflict to resolve?I agree with Ruth that it is important to call school board members to tell them what you think and to hear what they are thinking about the recommendation to wait for the audit. I trust it has much more to do with fiscal responsibility than with misleading the public.Kathy Seifert
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