I really liked Jerome's op-ed in the
Daily News today. He makes some excellent points. The school
administration should have learned to be more obvious in its
intentions. And why did this solution present itself through 'a
friend of a friend,' as it were?
I find myself in the uncomfortable position of
constantly having to defend the man...the system. I take heat for it from
a number of people. But I know these people and they're not on the
take. And I don't think they play fast and loose with the open meeting law
any more or less than any other local government body in Winona.
This issue has not been managed well. This
kind of response should have been anticipated by the board. Sometimes you
need to fire some cannons to make sure people know something is happening...this
should have been one of those times.
I have my doubts about Central working as an ALC,
although there would certainly be child care available, someone said there is
plenty of parking in that area...I don't think that's true.
Nor would it be free. I imagine it would cost
several hundred thousand dollars just to retrofit the bathrooms...and all of the
furniture would have to be replaced...although some I'm sure could follow them
to a new location.
I don't want to see it happen. I'd like to
leave Central just the way it is.
I like the idea of a facility that is actually
designed as a secondary school...and if a new middle school gets new furntiure,
a new ALC better get new furniture, too.
Jerome is right...let's take the ALC out of this
fight. This is an issue of openness and transparancy. I think it is
an issue of bad judgement, not bad intent, however.
Bob Sebo
Winona
