[Winona Online Democracy]
This is so well written I have very little to add.
I am wondering IF the district needs more space for the ALC why*** did it
sell the entire Lincoln block???
I have been told the district sold that building/block for the price of the
land. Where else can you buy a building and a city block for 700,000.?
As for Ridgeway, being on their townboard I am limited as to what I can add
at this point.
Linda Fort
[Winona Online Democracy]
I read with interest the WDN Editorial regarding the new ALC being proposed
for a hefty $2.4 million dollars. Since this money can be voted on without
the taxpayer input, I wonder how many other $2 million dollar tax increases
are on the docket after the referendum failed? Will they vote next month on
a $2 million dollar technology plan? Perhaps in March they may get to vote a
$2 million dollar levy for school upgrades too.
I was told that a "check-off" list was going online after the referendum was
approved to show how programs were being reinstated. The list is not online
yet-and the programs being INstated are NEW not old. (ie IB program). I find
it insulting that the board does not take into account who gives them their
money. I find it unacceptable that decisions are made behind closed doors.
Just because a decision is made in private, does not mean the decision isn't
public. Also, how many email or IM quorums have taken place...that were not
made public? Technology is funny that way....
I was told during the referendum that information wasn't being shared with
the public because "they" (members of the board and administration) thought
the public didn't want so much information. It wasn't until people made
waves that referendum information (specifically numbers) was placed online
and shared with everyone.
Personally, I'm tired of the idea that the public cannot make intelligent
decisions with appropriate and honest information. (We are seeing this in
all levels of government, not just our local school board) I'm tired of
going to site-base meetings at our elementary school and struggling to get
another couple of hours for a custodial staff person, while administration
moves for $2 million dollars and new schools are being planned.
And did anyone catch the Ridgeway article in the WDN? One of the reasons for
not moving ahead with the sale of the Ridgeway building is because the board
is thinking about REOPENING!! Ridgeway!!
"Hannon said the district has several options: do nothing, sell the
building, re-open its own elementary school at Ridgeway, find an alternative
use for the building or sell it to the Ridgeway association." (WDN)
That move was either shady, brilliant or both! Close a school, wait for it
to successfully charter and burst at the seams...and then WHAM re-open the
school and leave the parents no choice, but to send their children through
WAPS.
Maybe school districts are not an economy of scale after all. I look
forward to seeing the LTE's to the WDN after today's editorial.
Tania M. Schmidt
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