Supporters of the 63-cent school levy for the St. Joseph School District took their cause to the streets Saturday.
More than 600 volunteers for "Our Children. Our Future. Our Decision," such as the Veales, made their rounds Saturday afternoon, knocking on the doors of more than 4,000 registered voters' doors to explain their cause.
Mike Veale, treasurer of the community organization, and his wife set aside time planned to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary to talk to the public.
"We feel it's important to educate the public on what's coming up on the vote, what their vote is and to let them know the importance of it for the community," he said.
With outside interest groups having a hand in helping gain votes against the levy in the April election, Mr. Veale said this is a chance to get the facts out to the public unopposed.
"We kind of feel like the last time the community wasn't really involved in it and they didn't know. Specifically, they didn't know what the election was about," he said.
Having two sons at Central High School, Mr. and Mrs. Veale expressed disappointment with the St. Joseph School District's current rank in spending on administration, which currently is the 467th lowest out of 523 schools, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"A quality education and the support of it is a vital sign of any community," Mrs. Veale said.
One of Mr. Veale's biggest points is that the 63-cent levy is not something St. Joseph residents haven't had before, but one that existed a year ago.
"It's important for people to know and it's a message we're trying to get out that it's not a new tax. ... It won't cost you a penny more than it did last year," he said.
The next step for the organization, Mr. Veale said, was to get out signs, pins and mailers in time to get enough people educated before they step into the voting booth on Nov. 3.
"That's the purpose of this group is to get the public involved and get the information that they need out there to make a wise decision, to vote for it, to support the school district," he said.
Andrew Gaug can be reached
at andrewgaug@npgco.com.
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Steve_O says...
I'm not totally convinced that this is NOT a new tax NOW, since it no longer exists, but they are trying to get it to exist, THAT seems like a NEW TAX ! And I STILL think that closing those 2 schools and redistricting 1500 kids will be the Death of this Levy, all I ask for last time was the Sunset, but that was before all of the shenanigans began. I also feel like MANY of the YES voters Last time will NOW be NO voters for JUST that reason !
October 18, 2009 at 1:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Mr Veale,
Where was all of those 4000 voters live at?You know nobody was in the southeast side of our community as far as we have seen.Also no signs have been seen in our area of town.Are you going to all areas of town?Are you just focusing your efforts to one or two areas and if so how does this get the word out you speak about?Why did you all wait so long to get out and go door to door in the nieighborhoods as you say you are since your group said it was going to be doing this im the summer as well to gather info and failed to do it?Are you all out of touch with reality as to what has transpired and that your proposed levy is not provide financal security for our schools?Why don't you all be more transparent and tell the community this levy is not enough and the district will still be making cuts and before this levy expires that they the district will have to come back to the public for more money?You all call this damage control I call it causing more damage and not doing it right the first time.I hope you all do make it to all areas of town doing your door knocking but you will have to excuse me if I do not believe you.If teachers are indeed knocking please be nice to them they do a very good job with our children and they cannot help the mess their employer has gotten this district into.
October 18, 2009 at 1:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
Where does that number of 600 come from? I am curious, how was this validated? Sure did not here a whole lot about it. And yes, I am challenging the 600 number.
October 18, 2009 at 2:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Correct John one thing is for sure we did not hear a bunch about it.Also if they had 600 people they must have all stopped and drank coffee the most of the day I was out and about and didn't see to many signs of them out there.
October 18, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drbjr says...
mm1967, I am so disappointed in your performance here. It seems you were asleep at the switch. I really expected you would be the first post commenting on this article. Wow, I guess you're just not up to the task anymore.
Of course, your post is very predictable. Honestly, I think these folks could come to your house and sit in your living room and you would still bad mouth them.
October 18, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
getting the unopposed facts out is not something to be looked upon with anything but concern.
also, i hope for the "cause" that mr. veale doesn't make too much of his concern over administrator's salaries and their equity in state rankings.
i applaud mr. veale and his wife for taking their time to work for something they believe in. however, i would much have preferred that this group would have spent their day informing those voters( who they felt misunderstood the previous levy ) of the folly of supporting another sunset effort. all this effort for an inadequate compromise because the district needs a whipping boy..... the sunset! not the economy, not the ayp scores, not the transfers, the closings, the crowded classrooms, not the arrogant manner in which the past effort was marketed..... no, it was that darn sunset.
October 18, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
No apple I just happen to get out and about and seem to know how to use my eyes and look and see if signs in parts of the community are up and I do get to your end of the community see I have family that live there.I could make my hobby making you wig out.I also saw in the other article people we in the southend and I was gald to hear that and will give them credit for going to the southend and talking to the citizens.
drbjr,
I guess you as well have not read my complete post I have said several times if teachers would knock on people doors to be nice to them and listen and not be rude.I guess you can only see what you wanttot read into my post as well as apple.This is like things the district does see what it wants and ignores the rest.Look above I am not the only one who thinks that closing of the schools and redistricting will also play a roll in this levy failing?Lets also look at it this way I know all areas of the community were affected by redistricting but some areas the hardship on family's was not a hard as others and nobody can argue that.Look we have had single parents that have had to change their entire schedule because of this,make and change daycare arrangements for their children the list goes on and on.The world as well does not revolve around the district and the board and they need to see what they have done to the community and still have not.And thisis not a bandaid levy it is the begining to the end of our funding for schools because of having to come back within the 5 year period to this is not enough and they public will not pass anymore till the end of the 5 years and the district said this levy would still put them in distressed state.Wake up.
October 18, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple if you remember which I know the pea for a brain of yours I said,the Northend,Southend,Midtown,East side and the southeast side.So you see theres more then just the south end also see I include all areas of town.So use that pea to see what I really said before you insurt you foot in your mouth please.
October 18, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Adain apple Heritage is not a liar as you are making her out to be she is not opposing ahe is expressing her concerns and she has been fairly quite in the last couple of weeks.You need to get a life and quit degrading peoples character.
October 18, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
interestingly enough i was invited to meet with two of the group TF only recently and was asked to help with the effort. they didn't seem to think that i was Opposing last week, and expressed gratitude that i had Not worked formally against the levy. the TF apparently does not consider comments on the NP site as "opposition" , any more than i do. i find it amusing that you, apple ( who freely admit you do NOTHING to participate other than making poisonous comments here) would think personal expression on these little comments constitutes some kind of campaign against the levy.
October 18, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
apmastrangelo says...
As predicted, the levy did not pass in November because the electorate was not "involved" and now necessary to "educate the public" on what is coming up on the vote. How absolutely condescending and precisely what the community has and continues to take exception to in how the district is managing its affairs.
While the efforts of Mr. Veale are admirable, it is apparent that both the BOE and this organization fail to understand that the electorate is not satisfied with the current direction and planning of the district. That remains the primary cause of why people are not willing to expand funding for the district.
The district is taking the same failed course on this subject that it did in November. It is time for the BOE to acknowledge ifs shortcomings and react to what the community is saying and wants.
October 18, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momswisher says...
Just a few minutes ago, 30 or 40, I drove on Ashland , from one end to the other, there were 9 signs displayed in yards. Out around town ,while out yesterday and today ( all different areas of town) I counted 5 signs plus the 9 on Ashland. I am sure many more will be popping up here and there BUT so far not to many in the areas I was driving in yesterday and today. Which was all but the West side if town. Of course I didn't drive on every street in St. Joe but I was on many of them.I expected to see more of them .
October 18, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JAFO says...
rather than looking to the fed for the money, they are still wanting to tap this community for the money that they are no longer receiving from the state. i guess the educators need to take a minute and delve into their massive collection of books, and find an old dictionary, and check to see what "no" means. that is the problem with this world today. too many people are trying to get around "no." they use our courts, and our tax dollars. just the other day i got a phone call from a 785 area code asking for my support in the november election. they are wasting our money on telemarketers now. we need a school board that will be accountable before this community will agree to any more money going into their coffiers. vote no, they are not responsible enough with the funds they have to give them more.
October 18, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
The signs going up are the supporters and if they are out in the other areas as some have said the signs are the supporters and just a little math 9 in the NE and 5 in other areas of town HUM must not be getting a lot of support in the other areas of town.No IN NOVEMBER still sound like the way to go and maybe there will take out their ear plugs and start listening a little more ond work for what is right with the community.Like I said I can see the headlines November the 4th "District to make more cuts because of levy failure", which they would do with this levy or not and have said so.
October 18, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Well apple after re reading Heritage posts where she hd a meeting with the TF it seems as if the TF also knows you do not post anything here that is helping their cause.It almost sounds if they would like for you to be quite.It also says something else they are reading these post on here as you have said in the past they were not.
October 18, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple you are way off I never said what you are saying in print never said blank kicking to you.And I do not hate children I seem to have 4 and they have a very confortable life style.And we love them very much.Grow up apple!
October 18, 2009 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
What?? Letters in the alpabet have several meanings apple but think whatever you like.
October 18, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Wouldn't be like you calling people stupid,idiots,liars,people need to be in the bottom of the lake and girls being garbage oh almost forgot your favorite Haters.
October 18, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
He can speak to me here all he wants apple but you really do not want to speak to a southend boy.Boy when the shoe is on the other foot.Does he know what kind of degrading person you are and have been on here toward people?
October 18, 2009 at 10:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
OH apple it is just a joke!!!!!
October 18, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
peoplerule says...
Apple started it; mm continued it; now I am asking you to stop it and return to civility and issue-based discussion. Apple sounds like she is more St Joe than she pretends not to be.
Seriously, Mike Veale is a great guy. I wonder what pressures like union workers with no work impelled him to such a statement suggesting that our administrators were underpaid. Even if true, what in the heck does that have to do with providing excellent education for our children?
Their leadership is a joke; they have almost no contact with children; they chose to leave the classroom for higher pay and power; they are 90% of what is wrong in St. Joseph schools (because they make 90% of the bad decisions and many of them don't know how to treat their employees professionally.)
Veale's message is a Steve Huff/Melody Smith message if I ever heard one.
Hopefully, Mr. Veale was talking about total admin funding--certainly not individual salaries, which are some of the highest in the state. Maybe the reporter was confused and thought Veale was talking about admin when he was really talking about cooks, custodians, paras and even teachers. Mike needs to remember that his bread and butter is supporting employees not the Lords and Ladies of the Manor.
October 19, 2009 at 12:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LabyrinthWalker says...
You know i have been reading all the post people have written. Some people start to fight over this school stuff. I for one with a clear heart vote yes. I do not have kids in the schools nor will i ever. I am all for the state coming in and running the district. Maybe there wouldn't be so much waste. Maybe Salaries will be bought down to what they should be. Maybe being state ran would put a level playing field for all the workers. Admin, Teachers, and Support, The state can not do any worst. Not unless the school district has things to hide because the state will come in and look at everything. So vote NO. I wish i had enough money to post on that billboard on the Belt. So before you all start jumping on me for being wrong like miss apple and a few others. These are my thoughts and they are real I'm not in to politics and maybe its a good thing I'm not. But how many people fell like i do ask your self's that. Thank You for your time
October 19, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LabyrinthWalker says...
I meant to say with a clear heart i can not vote yes. Sorry for my typo's
October 19, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johnahickman says...
Lady - please understand that I am not at all pleased with the divisive and arrogant way the TF/GOF handled this levy initiative and that it has a sunset clause.
However, to say you want the state to run our school district might not be our best option. If you want to see a REAL mess in education, check out what is happening in St. Louis now that the state has taken over their district because of the horrific condition it was in. Also understand that the state's experience is so bad that it won't touch another badly troubled district in Kansas City as a result. There is absolutely no way the state of MO is going to intervene in the SJSD within the next decade. You can read about the St. Louis experience here and other articles by the St. Louis Post Dispatch (http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-...). We are no where near the mess of St. Louis and Kansas City.
Wasteful spending is not the issue hurting the SJSD - it is the culture of not engaging the community to plan for its future that is really hurting it!
With regards to the many posts here about spending and waste by the SJSD, they simply aren't supported the facts. The SJSD spends approximately $800 less/child/year than the average spending by school districts in MO and $1,700 less/child/year when compared to districts our size in the state of MO. However, we have very good outcomes. That is impressive and reflects a level of fiscal responsibility by the SJSD BOE & Admin. These numbers were validated by Beau Musser, a Benton alumni and CPA.
Frankly, I could care less about the outcome of this levy initiative. If it passes, the reserve will be at the BOE's target of 17% within 4 years. If it doesn't pass, the reserve will be at 17% in 3 years. Basically, this levy buys the SJSD 12 months. After the sunsets on the levy in 5 years, the next levy will need to INCREASE by $2.85 to sustain the SJSD for 5 more years. This is a real problem that can only be solved if the district chooses to engage the community and listen carefully to what the community wants. We need to get involved and figure this out for St. Joe's Kids!
October 19, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Things can be reversed but it takes community engagement which is going to be hard work on both sides of the school issues.
October 19, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt says...
I live on Ashland, no one came to my door. Yes there are some signs posted in the neighborhood.
Of these volunteers, how many were teachers that were arm twisted, by their bosses, to do this. Also, any answers on the $500, that each administrator, was required to donate to the campaign??????
October 19, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matty73 says...
I think we also have to adress the fact,that the majority of voters that voted on this issue are retired senior citizens who dont have much of a personal stake in these issues.All they see is a tax increase with no personal benifit.Does that make sense?Id like to see a demographic on the median age of voters in this city.
October 19, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
matt,
If they donated 500 it was not reported on their report.I did see some principles on their that donated anything from 150 to 250 but not that many and our board president mrs watson donated less then the superintendent go figure.
October 19, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt says...
Thank you mm. Where did you see this report?
October 19, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Missouri ethics commission they had to file a report
October 19, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt says...
so will the levy pass? any comments?
October 19, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
apple you seem to be correct in your post it seems as if they were not strong armed into donating money.
Matt as far as the levy passing if I was a betting man I would have to say it is going to fail.
October 19, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_O says...
I can't remember WHEN I have heard adults sound so Childish!
October 20, 2009 at 3:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yougottabekiddingme says...
Matty73: "the majority of voters that voted on this issue are retired senior citizens who dont have much of a personal stake in these issues" That is wrong, better schools increase property values, something in it for everyone.
And to the point made on I think another article about renters who have school age kids should be impacted. They are impacted. Increased property taxes are passed on to the renter in the form of HIGHER rent.
All that being said, the district is giving in to go back to the sunset. If the levy passes with the sunset, the district will win the battle only to loose the war. Permanent funding for our schools is a necessity - period.
October 20, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ggg says...
May as well keep shooting down the school issues, I mean it is better to wallow in mediocrity is it not. Growth potential in St JO, no way, NO decent schools no growth...duh
October 20, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johnahickman says...
apple October 19, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. "However, when you say engaging the community you are dealing with people who beleive the levy is to high and think the State will run our schools better than we can. This kind of thinking is so ingrained into the St. Joseph culture I don't beleive you can ever reverse it."
We have been round and round on this issue. You can't use that as an excuse to not make the attempt. Once the levy campaign is over, pass or fail, we must come together as a community and build a consensus of our long range plan for the sake of St. Joe's Kids.
I don't like to say this, but my bet is the levy passes in a squeaker (they are experienced politicians running the campaign, after all). Margin will be similar amount as the April ballot.
October 20, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yougottabekiddingme says...
John is right, the levy is what it is.
63 cents with a sunset clause does nothing to help the schools or the kids at this time, however, to ever have a hope of having anything better for our kids, we have to come together when all the votes are counted and build a long range plan that the entire community can get behind.
I hope that is the ONE thing we can all agree on.
October 20, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
No the plan seems to be come back within the next 2 years if the levy passes and ask for more because the district has alread said this levy will still make it distressed before it would expire.And if you come back to the voter before 5 years it will be harder then trying to get it passed wit hthe right amount and for the long term financial needs of the schools.The plans a JOKE.
October 20, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
So many other things have came to light apple in the last few months and I cannot support something that is just not right for our schools,children and teachers.If this is going to still make the district distressed in a few years why do it when they have plenty of time to get it right.Also all of these suditors did not report on the financial state of the district the last time.The district also has said they will still make cuts with this levy so why pass it if it is going to do the same thing as if they did not have it.My opinion and not to send you off the deepo end is they have plenty of time to get their ducks in a row and wrok and engage the community and listen and work for the betterment of the schools.If you also noticed I voted for new schools the last time and the question is with this levy and then wanting to plan for the long term of schools such as biulding when you have a levy that they admit is not enough how is thie going to help pass a bond issue for the long term plan when you will have to come back at the same time and tell the community you need more operating levy funds to operate your school.It hurts the district all the way around and the children as well as teacher and educating of our children.Also are we going to continue to be overcrowded in our elementary schools and do they have any projections of how the population of the community's children are going to grow and be entering school in the next 5 years? Because if the population of children grow we will not have room for the growth and all of the above mentioned will hurt this is the long run think about it.I hopoe this did not offend you apple seriously.
October 20, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johnahickman says...
apple October 20, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. "I believe that was the whole point of getting the funding returned"
It is flawed logic. By year 5 the SJSD will be virtually broke and then they will need to increase the levy to $2.85 to replace the expired $0.63 levy to stay solvent - not healthy!
My prediction is if this passes, it will take 15-20 years to fix this mess. It is going to be a disaster.
October 20, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple sure growth has happened to the NE but with the schools closings and having to move those children into other schools have created a issue and now if there is people have more children in these areas there will be a issue.Some schools have almost 100 more students this year from what hey had last year and cannot handle any more students.
October 20, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Yes it does because this amount on the levy does not do anything for the overcrowding issue we have in these schools and it hurts the future bond issue for schools when they have to come back and say we need more operating funding in the next couple of years when they will at the same time going for a bond issue to biuld new schools.The long range paln is suppose to take 14 months and then get put on the ballot and as I have said they will be asking for more operating money at the same time because they have said this levy will still make them in a distressed state.And if this happens it all starts over and we go through it all over again how many times are we willing to do this?
October 20, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple although I will respect your opinion on the issue I do not agree with you.We need to put all of this behind us once and for all and get it right and not do this all over again and again.But apple you know as well as I do if 2 issues sre on the ballot at the same time they both or one will fail that is the way it is and we know this so we need to address one issue at a time and get it right then move onto the next.
October 20, 2009 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
A comment was made that whether or not the levy passes, cuts will still be made. I would hope with these kinds of reserves, that that comment was in error. If the comment was right, I think the administration better take courses in politics, because it's a lousy strategy.You don't win by taking things away before you have a chance to pass the issue. If that comment was true, I give the superintendent credit for her honesty in this matter. I just don't give her any political credit for any savvy. I firmly believe that instead of going for this election, they should have concentrated on a definite strategy and political plan for down the road.
October 20, 2009 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Dillygent1
there was article that said if the levy did not pass they would next year look and see what cuts would be made and in the same article they also stated that this levy would still put them in a distressed district before it expired meaning they would still have to make cuts and have to come back to the community before the levy expired and ask for more.I just think this is not the right way to go being that it has been this hard to get a operating levy passed at this point.So I think they need to do the hard work with the public and get it right the first time.
October 20, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cmr1 says...
my opinion is that if they were going to put this back on the ballot then why didnt they leave the schools and DAYCARES open for another school year to give them a chance. So if this levy passes are they going to reopen the schools and daycares??? Probably not!! I dont think that it is fair that no one even knew that the daycares ran by the school district were even at risk for being shut down, the staff of the daycare didnt even know. I just think that the school district is full of it.
October 20, 2009 at 11:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
The present direction does not solve the problem, it only makes it worse in my view. It does not address future state. I do not buy into one bit the "distressed" scenario as a reason to vote in favor of this levy. We either need it permenantly or we do not need it at all. I do not understand why there is no confidence to engage the community to gain the respec and buy in for what is truly needed. John is exactlyright, this mess will take "15-20 years to fix". The 5 year sunset holds back growth as it has always done in the past. Focus will not be on future state, but how to continue to conserve money and the continual "black cloud" scenario will be promoted. I will not vote for anything that is not progressive. This sunset levy was "trashed" in January, instead of crisis managment for status quo, get the confidence to argue for what is truly needed or it is not needed. All the validations are there to back it with the rationale. It is No in November. Go back to the table and argue it properly or don't argue it at all!!!!!!!
October 20, 2009 at 11:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
ok apple then how would you percieve it when they said this levy would still make them a distressed school district?Would that not put them to the point they would have to make cuts?I believe so.So see the writting is on the wall.Look into the future a little not live in the now that is what got us to the point we are at now.
October 21, 2009 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blazer6465 says...
Just think about one thing, where are you going to be in 20 years? Several of you will be ill,or debilitated, and dependant on someone to care for you. If we dont give the kids education today, they will not grow up to be productive citizens, they will be lazy bums popping out kids and sucking up welfare checks, using the money that should be going to you for care in your old age. Plus, there will not be enough educated young adults to take care of you. I have repeatedly had people in their 60's tell me that "if Lindbergh was good enough for my education, its good enough for todays kids". Get a clue, the buildings are aging, are not energy efficient, and the kids are not being provided the propper resources they are entitled to in order to receive a good education. I want to thank SJSD for their continuing efforts to do the best they can with what they have. Remember, the children are YOUR future too, and if you dont support them now, no one will be there to support you later.
October 21, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
blazer6465,
Sure the schools are aging but if they are taken care of and renovated up to date it is cheaper then biulding new and leaves the neighborhood school intact.Key word there was renovating.These schools can be brought up todate.Biuld schools where needed and fix the others.Our children are also getting a good education as far as I can see in our school and I have no worries that they will not.Nobaody posting here does not care people just have different views on how we should get there and this is what makes the world go around.Most inportantly everbody must be working together for the good of the school but they are not working to gether oneside is just pushing their agenda and not listen to the community as a whole and this is what it is going to take to get the school issue solved.My opinions but all views need to come together.
Apple believe what you want but mark my word if this passes and they come back within a couple of years and ask for more they will not get it and they will make cuts because they have said this levy will put them into distress before the levy would expire and anybody is smart enough to see that this is what more then likely would happen.Look into the future and plan for the future not live in the now.That's the [roblem they are living in the now and not thinking about the future of our schools and children.
October 21, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
NO APPLLE NO
October 21, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blazer6465 says...
mm1967,
I agree with you that if the schools could be renovated they would be functional, but if you research the costs, I beleive that you will find that it would cost more to renovate than to rebuild. Plus, the energy savings on a building built today, would be significantly decreased to a point that the building would pay for itself. Its like the clunkers, there comes a time when you have to dump the old f150 for a new model, or the f150 will eat you out of house and home in maintenance, gas prices, and repairs.
October 21, 2009 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Blazer6465,
Reasearch was done and the district was given a quote to renovate Neely and it was around 4 million to complete it cost 18 million to biuld new and this was to update and bring the school within handicap laws and all from ground up.So there is a substantial savings by renovating.Biuld where a school is needed but renovate the ones needing renovated and make them like new.Look at what they did with the mead biulding for example they could have not biult new for what they did to it.The people who renovateed Mead are the ones I believe gave the school district the bids I think they did great work with the mead biulding and renovating it from a factory to housing.Also if these biuldings were renovated it would be cheaper for all of the above mention as far as cost you addressed.I am all for biluding where schools are needed but renovate the ones you already have and save the money and keep the neighborhood schools for our children for many reasons.Mrs smith was asked why she did not make the quote for renovating Neely to the public and she said nobody asked well now it has been asked and now why do they not do the above to the school in need of repair?Save money at the same time and also have a new biulding when completed.
October 21, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple as usual you do not believe anything but what you believe or are told by your group the TF or the district.You cannot see what is coming and how bad it is going to get for our schools.This is called having blinders on and wanting to maintain the status quo.
Some of us do not want the status quo and can see outside of the box and think outside of the box.So apple explain how can the district not make more cuts if this amount on this levy passes and they have said it will still make them a distressed school district in 4 years which is before the levy expires and the public 9 times out of 10 will not pass any further funding for them till the levy expired.So the question is, "How will they be able to operate and not make any further cuts in this time period?"
Here's a idea you vote yes wghich you have flip flopped on several times and Ia will vote No and we will see the outcome the evening of Nov 3rd.If I was a betting man I believe thei levy will fail as well.
October 21, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )