Welcome to Cheapskate, Missouri. It definitely has a ring to it. I move that we change the name immediately!

In what kind of situation can the state take over the school district? I heard that mentioned a while back during the campaign.

It's interesting to note the school district keeps saying they are cutting positions. How many positions are being eliminated due to retirement or actual termination? I'd like to see the numbers. Did some of these cuts occur naturally or were incentives offered? Were any positions in administration cut from the budget? Have new teachers been hired or is there merely a salary freeze? Is there still fat to be trimmed from the budget? Redundant positions? Coordinators of seldom used programs?
I would be curious to see a list of positions cut and the reason why along with a list of all positions and salaries paid by the SJSD, it doesn't need to give names, just title and salary. Is this info availabe anywhere?

"It's interesting to note the school district keeps saying they are cutting positions. How many positions are being eliminated due to retirement or actual termination?" (posted by lamplighter)

Even if these are the positions they are cutting (by not filling jobs of retirees), the children will be the ones suffering. That is still 37 less teachers, counselors etc that will not be educating the kids in our city!

This is absolutely classic and any having question as to the recent outcome of events on this subject might read the following comments carefully.

NP 27May - “We’re waiting to hear from the citizens group,” said Steve Huff, spokesman for the school district. “... They have essentially said that they are going to assume the mantle of leadership and take this on.

"mantle of leadership" - Thought that was the purpose behind having elected officials so as to provide representation and sound guidance for the affairs of the district. In any case better late than never but it would be interesting to know where this new found sense of involvement was just a short while back.

apm, it bears pointing out that the leader of the effort was heavily invested in the first version. i admire this woman and her service to the community at large, but it is hard to imagine any serious departure from the former vision.

The plan failed because over half the population base who voted did not agree with it. They had legitimate reasons to not agree with the plan. In order to be successful moving forward, the slamfest that continues towards that group of the population needs to stop or there will continue to be an increased split between the entire population base. So lets lay it on the line right now, some of the hardline supporters of this, you calling all those who voted against this stupid and not informed? Apple? Is that your thought process? Over 12,000 voted no, so that is the attitude. just slam that group of people? If so, in my view that mindset is right up there with the coach's opinion piece a while back. And that mindset will continue to alienate instead of gaining support moving forward. Also the present plan failed, so it would be advantageous instead of trying to pursue another initative to get the same plan on the ballot again, change the plan and find alternative solutions that are more conducive to including a plan that addresses all of the buildings.

I know of someone who has 3 kids, who through divorce agreements and what not, who will have to go to 3 different schools in the fall.

She was an avid "yes" supporter, but I think now she'll vote "no" because she'll need the money for gas, running around town dropping off and picking up the kids when she has them.

ww - Correct but not certain when the realities on this subject will be fully recognized and more importantly fully considered in moving forward.

It's was the district's decision to put the bond issue on the ballot with the levy, despite being cautioned not to by some research group & Melody Smith (I'm going off what I read on previous stories here). The fault lies with their greedy, stupid, out-of-touch, and arrogant decision.

Thus it fails, so they make a bunch of decisions that appear to punish those that supported them and voted for the levy. I certainly feel betrayed.

But by reading your posts, "the board could do no wrong." "It's everyone else's fault but theirs." "Anyone who disagrees with the School District has an agenda." I rarely hear from these board members in the news, only from Melody Smith. To me, it seems she's being made out to be the scapegoat.

The point of my post wasn't to generate sympathy - it was to point out that when the next levy comes up on ballot, and they need a higher "yes" vote to pass it, it'll likely go down in flames. First from the folks who already voted "no", and secondly from the "yes" voters who feel betrayed by the system they supported.

"rather see the town rot?" is kind of strong language.

there are other citizen groups in this city working parallel to the Coalition for Progress. one would hope that the administration will consider any and all efforts to be equally viable and justified.

apple - There is also a simple saying that might apply.
Advice is what one asks for when they already know the answer but wish they didn't.

apple, to possibly answer your question about three children/three different schools..perhaps it was stipulated and agreed to by both parties in mother's divorce decree that the child/children would attend a particular school..this is not an unlikely scenerio and could easily explain why someone needed to go to three different schools or perhaps one child is a special needs child...
..and this forum is not a "blog", it is a comments section on a newspaper website. Everyone is posting a comment, not blogging..

Whoo-Hoo my taxes are going to go down OH YEAH! My disposable income just increased!! I'm sure it won't last long but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Taxed out... enjoy your happy meal. That is about what it equals to if not less each month, only if you own property.

If you own a home, commercial property, and a few cars it can add up to considerably more than a happy meal. Even if it is just happy meal I'll enjoy it as long as it lasts.

I asked a yes or no question. The coach's community involvement with youth is irelevant in my opinion on what he had to say. His comment trashed the majority of the population base who voted against this, and they had legitimate reasons to go against the initiative did not make their based on false information in my view. If a permenant levy is where the district should be at, the advocates of this issue should have been pushing for this years ago to go in line with other communities. That did not happen. The status quo was kept and every time it came up it was promoted with a sunset clause. That initself hurt the initiative. The coach was here for how long? He could of took a stand on the permenant levy years ago and probably should have, but did not, along with alot of people who have been in this community for years. The permenant levy cause should have been more aggressive "way back when" and past arguments to promote one with sunset clauses should have been challenged then. Then the present case would have been alot stronger with the bond issue and maybe even an increase in the levy. The past decisions hurt the present cause. That is what needs to be addressed and overcome. "Rather see the town rot" is not a productive way to move forward and certainly does not garnish any support.

wildwest - There are those that will never grasp concepts such as these because one can not know what they simply do not understand.

apple - First of all the previous comment is a statement of fact and was not meant just for you but if the shoe fits you are welcome to wear it.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why some communities and corporations for that matter are so successful. It is because they recognize the reality that in the society we now live the beliefs of some will not universally become embraced by those that differ.
More times than not that does mean compromise is necessary over that desired but if in the end the goal is achieved the path ultimately makes little difference - That is the life lesson.

since you, apple, are doing absolutely NOTHING but whine on a comments section which is not frequented by enough people to make up the difference, just how do you propose to make that wish of yours come true? are you throwing something into the fight? NO.

i guess its okay to let others carry the water for some people. until you individually make an effort to do something besides alienate the few voters who come here, i suggest that your opinion is only...... an opinion. you have already called those "intelligent voters" nearly every vile epithet which could be printed. good luck with that.

there are counseling groups for that anger you carry around, you know.

apple - Last on this discussion; think about and good luck. With your approach you and those favoring your position holding the same attitude will need it in order to be successful.

apple - If you question why so many of your comments draw criticism you might reflect at the condescending approach you portray resulting in your remarks not only being discounted but also seen as counterproductive in advancing any civil debate.

apple - Nothing and that is the point. The school district and many other subjects discussed are often serious topics of the community with each deserving the challenging point of view often seen from all perspectives.
No one deserves or should ever be a punching bag during the course of these forums. While in the end any of our comments may have little impact on changing any minds everyone should appreciate the fact of knowing their position or feelings on matters have had the opportunity to be equally heard.