what is the timing here? who filed first?

last time around the district cried foul when CAFT went after them and then only one picayune charge stuck against huff....... all i can say is i can't wait for wednesday. or.... maybe sunday, since the previous NO/NO vote brought all the worst out in this community.

how can this possibly change the outcome of the election? and if it does? will that prove anything other than politics is a nasty business?

it is a real shame there have to be "sides".

I hear all this bad talk about the Axiom group but it is clear that this school district and the TF are the ones using smear tactics. I believe it is against the law to file frivilous ethics complaints. Not saying I know for a fact these are frivolous but come on! Everything is a dirty tactic and a smear if it's the oppositon to the levy. I wish people would just concentrate to the facts on hand.

P.S. Heritage, I read these post all the time but don't post much myself, but I have always enjoyed your post!

llj, i recall a quote you used a while ago.... i liked it

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

One of my favorites!Another...

"Every citizens part-time job ought to be politics"
-Dwight D. Eisenhower

I take that as everyone should get involved, look at facts, and most of all, vote!

Sounds to me like the TF(OCOFOD) group is running scared.Like I said before they are worried about a group which had little influence in the voters last time around.This time they (OCOFOD) has forgotten the people they should be worried about is the voters that are mad at the district for the events that have happened since the levy failed in April.
And the lack of thier and the SJSD engagement with the community.The poll I have spoken about still shows this levy failing miserably.

And if this levy fails indeed next Tuesday they will have a scapgoat they will cry foul and say the Citizens group caused the levy to fail.

Like I said a while baack it would get messy with politicians involved it just waited till the end to start.

Too bad this committee did not consider pressing the BOE harder on how funds if approved from this levy would be used to change what many in the community find wrong with the district.
The committee and district show time after time that they out of touch in what needs to happen and this action is yet another example.

apm,
All I can say to your comment is AMEN!!!

What is ethical about having a vote on an issue and get it voted down , only to put it to vote again? Get out and vote huh?? Why? It is obvious that your vote will not count unless it is yes.It didn't the first time, so what has changed?

And I could rent a billboard and call anyone I want a clown. It is what we used to call freedom of speech. If they don't have make up and a rubber nose..you can't do that?

rk-Whom are your comments directed at? Or are they just in general?

rk92559,
I know for sure my vote will be No and it better get counted.
I think that their should be someone from both parties or sides there when the votes are tallied Tuesday evening to make sure things are ligtimate on the results.

mm you are kidding, right? Now you are accusing the county officials of voter fraud? along with all of the election officials at each of the polling places? You really need to get a life. this is ridiculous.

***The pro-levy group’s ethics allegations come after Citizens Against Forever Tax sent mailings to prospective voters referring to the St. Joseph School District board members and administrators as “clowns.” ***

I mean really...this needs to be investigated by an ethics comittee?? Why don't they just threaten to go tell Mom they also called them a poopy head??

***
rk-Whom are your comments directed at?***

Who cares?? Maybe it was directed at the school board,or the pro tax people or maybe those guys in that little car.

sjmom,
You have got a great imagination.I did not say anything along those lines and did not accuse anybody of anything.I seem to remember to see they tested the mchines this week and people were there to make sure they were working This is what I mean.But I shouldn't have to explain anything to you.You did not seem to have a problem that sommeone for each party (Dems,Rep) were there to over see this did you?

This is unreal. I cannot even imagine anyone from this community taking the side of gutter feeders like Axium. I don't care what problems you have had with the schools or anyone in this community. The posts here show all your true colors of only wanting to push you agenda.

lifelongjoe - you have to be joking - you have to be - the quote you used is nice, is it about the CAFT who sent a flier of the school board and called them clowns.

Anyone that would post positive comments about an organization who takes money from a Chicago organization which mission goal is to destroy puplic schools, I delare war on you. I hope the community does as well, this will not stand!

This levy is going to fail largly on the part of the board of education and the administration and the OCOFOD groups actions or lack of.Also for the fact this levy is not the way to go for the future of our schools and the fact remains parents are still upset from the admins actions after the last levy failed.
This about our community and it is divided and always has been wake up.
Like I said the poll on kqtv is still showing a no votes leading and go back and look at the last time they had this poll in april and it followed right along what their poll said and it failed.
A yes vote does no justice for our schools and our children,or teacher just puts our school is financial distress before the 5 year levy would expire.Our vote is No in November.

This vote will win because those in the community understand we need to fund our schools. They understand we are currently one of the lowest funding districts in the state. They understand and aprreciate the district listened and put the sunset back on as requested. They understand that no political group in Chicago who only wants to divide our community and use our children as political footballs should tell us how to run our community. They understand that division is not unity and that all parts of the community is not a select part of it. They understand those with hate and vengence in their hearts will become the minority while positive and costructive work will become the new vocal majority.

Vote yes, if we dont stand up for our children who will.

According to the Missouri Ethics Reports, teamsam donated $35,000 to the CAFT. Teamsam is the finacial and fund rasing arm of the "Sam Adams Alliance both from Chicago. The American Majority was formed by the Sam Adams Alliance and they are against public schools as stated on thier mission statement. Axium is hired to represent this group who wishes to destroy public eduction and are the ones you people are speaking up for. How could you do that to your community and your children

Well I see the Hate word showed back up I knew it would not take to long.
I think all of the supporters of this flawed levy are in for a shock Tuesday evening.
And for those of us who want what is right for our financial needs of ours schools support our children, schools,teacher we just wnat better for them not a bandaid on a hugh wound that will not stop the bleeding.So sence you are wrong we do care just want whats right and better for our children.

Sence
I am not speacking for any group I am speaking for myself and my family's concerns about the issue.

Again I ask you, if the levy does fail, when do you plan on restoring funding, how much do you think the levy should be in the next vote, if the economy is bad, why wouold anyone vote for a larger levy, how do you engage all of the community, how long do you beleive that will take. What is your plan - tell me

mm - your post indicates you beleive you fear your vote will not be counted correctly, why would you even say that?

Sence since you knew apple had not posted you must have read some of my post as well about waitting till next year and give the economy a chance to turn around and the sjsd must engage and work with the entire community as a whole to come up with a long term plan for our schools financial needs.And the GOF must not be included in this process.
This is going to take real hard work on the sjsd/sjsb part because there is not a lot of trust in these people right now.
But also remember we will get 2 new board members in April of this coming year.And these folks will be voted in by the community and they will be very selective on who they vote for.
These must be people willing to engage and work with the community and be open and honest.
Our school will not move forward till the SJSD and SJSB realizes they must be more open and transparent with the community.They have had one the current members publicly express this as well in Mr Snethen he gets it and has said it.

so Im clear your plan is to keep our district as one of the lowest funded districts in the state, keep salaries frozen, keep cutting programs for another year, keep using up the reserve so you can, vote for two new school board memebers, another election that is sure to unite the community.

Oh and that also give "American Majority' an opportunitiy to get their puppets into the school board. They have many posts and blogs giving adive of how those belonging to Sam Adams and the American Majority can will school board seats.

So it is obvious the plan is to keep the schools weak unitl they get thier people in.

I have news for you, no unity will come of that. Your plan is sensless and destructive.

How about this, get funding back, chase out the politics, tell Sam Adams and the American Majority to go to hell and then have the community work together in the next five which gives us time to get this done right without holding money and kids as ransom. Of course that would take all the leverage away from those that only wish to divide.

Also please give specifics - how much should the levy be, I mean you say this one is not enough so you must know how much it should be.

Your opinions also fall in line with the board and admin not wanting to work with the community.I have no ties to any group just speak as a citizen of this community since I've been here since I was a child and want what is right for our community's children and schools and teachers,Not the status quo we have had for years.
I could care aless about this group and Sam Adams you speak of, this in no way has anything to do with my vote of no in november.
Your asumption in your post do not speak for me as you would like to read into my post as someone else used to do all of the time apple.

that had nothing to do with the question, how much do you belevie the levy should be since you say this one is not enough, if you know this is not enough then you must know how much is needed.

There no communicating with you just shows more reason to believe you are apple how is your new computor working I will not get into this with you again.Have a good evening

I guess you don't know, how can you know it's not enough then,

It's didn't take long to figure it out

so how much should the new levy be then, and then please explain in accounting detail how you came up with that number.

Sense - don't ask mm for any ideas or concrete direction, I have been reading his posts for months and he loves to complain and blame everyone but he is part of the problem not the solution. People may not agree with my ideas but go back and read my posts, I have given concrete ideas on how to engage the community, I have given ideas on how to use the reserve fund, I have told everyone that the levy needs to be $1.08 now or if we wait $2.85 in five years. I didn't make up these numbers, I was part of a group that did an independent audit of the financials and the budgets.

Wow Boz44, great minds think alike. Check my post on the other levy article today.

Boz,
I have agreed with you a time or 2 but you fail to see the other side of this situation as well at times.Is it so hard to understand that anything satarts with Communication?And I agree we need more funding for our schools such as yourself but this levy fails to address this so why pass something that does not address the financail needs to ur schools/ My post may very well seem to be complianing and it all starts withthe SJSD/SJSB lack of engagement.Theres nor communicating or working with people who are onsided and not willing.I have said I would be willingto be part of the solution but the district has not engaged the community to work with the community they have turned their problems over to a political driven group and politics and schools do not work together.

mm-give ideas for solutions then not just the same old - communication, communication ,communication. How should they go into the community? It is very easy to sit on your computer and write things but execution of a complex plan takes effort and leadership. Do you have these abilities?

mm idea of engaging the community is to disrespect Coach Dudik from Central by saying he is only concernecd with his salary being froze. You can read those statements on todays letter to the editor where long time coach thanks the community for his last season. His thanks, mm claims he got better life lessons from Benton and tells everyone the coach only thinks for himself. I guess that's his idea of engaging the community.

mm-go out and engage the teachers and coaches in this community and you will see why it is so important to vote yes this week. Teachers and coaches will leave if they are forced to face salary freezes. They are already underpaid based on current market conditions and many will be headed south. If the levy passes, even though revenue will not be available salary adjustments will be able to be made based on the fact that revenue will be coming in. Come April when the teachers all get their new contracts, without an operating levy we will see not only no raises but our starting pay for new teachers (needed to replace those that leave) will fall further behind other markets. I am for fully funding our schools but we were unable to get a $.63 levy passed without a sunset, how would we get a $1.08 passed with no sunset clause? I see no leader in any camp that can engage the community develop a sound plan and execute the plan, until that person shows up we need to fund our schools with what the community will give.

I still haven't figured out why anyone bothers with mm1967. He's a clown. If it's ok for Axiom, then it's ok for me...right?

He is bitter and confused. It is sad.

I don't think mm is bitter..why gang up on him or her? People voted down the issue once..but that is not good enough. You keep berating people for being against it and just expect them to fork over money when they are not comfortable with it.And frankly, you haven't done anything worth a crap with the money you have now. But you need more? Let me guess..you live in the east and want your little darlings to have a new school while the rest of the city goes to hell? And you want them to pay for it. Frustrating when people are given a choice and you can't just force them to do what you want ..isn't it?

Orliandoe,
Bitter and confused I think you are wrong as usual. You can tell the ones who are confussed they are the ones who will support this levy even though the district has said it still put them in financial distress before it expires.Each one of us are entitled to our views but the name calling is something I have not done.
Lets see we have had HATER,IDIOT,STUPID,CLOWN,the people who are firing these names off may look in the mirror and ask themselves if they would call their parents this before they call people this.By the looks of the thumbs people must not all agree with these people.
I will we will vote no because it is not what is right for our children after we voted for both the last time.

Okay RK - Go through all the financials of our district, tell me what they have done wrong with the money they have, show me where money has been wasted. When you can give facts to back up your opinions I will then provide some value to your posts, until then I will put you into the category with MM - all talk no walk.

no one is talking about building a new school, why is it that people from the southend have such a chip on their shoulders, I mean even attacking a coach thanking the community just because he is a Central coach, mm still denies his disrespect, he should be ashamed.

Communicating with the public. How many school administrators participate in any kind of a civic endeavor, be it cooperating in a neighborhood betterment project, participating in a neighborhood betterment group. How many administrators belong to a service club? They used to. How many administrators get involved with youth groups away from their buildings, or are children only important between the hours of 8 and 3, or 4, depending on the tutoring? How many school board meetings have ever been done in other areas of town? How many times do board members visit the schools, just to see how the children are doing? They used to. The school district has cable access to broadcast board meetings. Why not schedule them regularly on their channel? We have high school and middle school performing groups. How often do they get into the public? How many administrators actually attempt to get to know their teachers enough to know their strengths? I see any of the above as a valid communications plan. By doing the above, the district would have more credibility and connections when they asked for more revenue.

Sence you are going off about the coach issue just like you did the last time someone said something about the coach but you were appl then.

A little addition to my post above. I hate to see any outsider coming here, especially to be negative. It makes me wonder just who wants to be on this board next year, anyway, and why?

Dillygent1,
Exactly anything or plan needs to start with communication.There is noway to plan anything without communication with all of the people you listed.

By the way sence I do not live in the southend but you already knew that didn't you.

Boz - Let me help out with just a couple little issues. The district has accumulated what is now a 35 million dollars surplus.
What teacher compensation packages have you seen in the last five years directed toward enabling the further development of teaching staff.
What incentive packages have you seen offered to attract greater talents from outside the district.
We won't get into the multitude of other issues being raised by the community both financial and philosophical but suffice to say the list is extensive.
The old argument that the district has managed money well does not mean it has been spent in the best way possible toward improving education. The board disregards this issue as do those thinking that simply approving funding will solve the ills of what is going on.

Boz44
I glad you think I am all talk and no walk but I can vote NO that it loud and clear isn't it.

Ok,,great then, your all good and don't need any money. I never attacked any coach or teacher. But then again, if what a coach is making a year determines if you need more money, forget it. And I don't live in the southend. But I did go to elementary school there for a year or two. Hyde to be specific, what has been done to improve it? Is it going to be closed to?

And I don't need to come up with any figures. I am not on the school board and don't get a car allowance.That is thier job...right? And if people don't agree with a plan, they can vote against it right?? Well..I mean they are supposed to be able to.

mm with all due respect your a clown, now I did say with all due respect, according to you thats all you need to say and its not an insult right -

apm - good goals, we can do that after we get funding back. So according to you saving money is bad? Wish a lot of Americans had that philosopy.

Sence no insult taken.Boy that was hard.

your not right mm - your just not wired right

I am just fine and wired just fine as well and for that matter you do not know who I am in the community and what I do.What I supoort and what kind of work I do wit hthe community or anything else I just call it as I see it like it or not that is my right and my opinion.But I do not degrade people by telling them things like you just have.

sense - Stop twisting facts. The district has had the funding and did not put it to the best use possible. There is no need to continue approving funding that is not going to accomplish what the community wants and deserves in improving the system. The board has not done this to date and even when under the current pressure it is still unable to articulate how they will change.

sorry mm - I should have said with all due respect you're not wired right -

apm - twisting facts - five years ago the district was placed on the stessed list, now they have by auditors words a healthy reserve. So tell me, how does a commuity speak? Is it kind of hearing the word of God, only a selct few have the gift to hear the voice of the community. I did not hear any complaints from the community during the past five years, but then I don't have the gift to hear it, wait I see a buring bush in the back yard -

Boz, if you were part of the group that reviewed the independent financials and you KNOW that 63 cents is not enough then you also know that we have a couple of years before we have to settle for someething that we can all agree is not enough. Why vote yes? It doesn't make sense. We have time to engage the community and build a consensus. Many people who were in that original group agree and that is the reason many are no longer part of the TF.

The problem with putting this back on the ballot so early when it was not necessary is exactly what has happened. We have gone backwards. It will take more time for the community to heal.

I might also point out that it is perfectly ok for mm to say that this is not good enough for his family and outline his expectations for the SB/Administration WITHOUT putting forth a plan. That is not his job. Just because he doesn't have a detailed plan, doesn't mean he can't have an opinion - and voice it.

Using your logic, I guess anyone who thinks we should not send more troops to Afganistan should have a withdraw strategy. Stupid. This is America. People have a right to say what they want to say.

I don't understand why some on here insist on attacking mm because he wants his kids to have the best? In my opinion, that is much better than saying - I know it is not enough but I am going to say yes anyways. WHY for god's sake? There is no logic.

If you do what you always do, you will get what you always get.

What we have always gotten is not good enough! Comeon people, do what is right for the kids and vote NO. Demand better.

If we can't find a solution in two years, THEN is the time to look for a bandaid, not now. It doesn't make sense and it is not right!

Sense: here is what I found on the Sam Adams Alliance:

Founded in November of 2006, the Sam Adams Alliance is leading a new revolution for liberty by training, inspiring, and empowering people to utilize new media tools (blogging, twitter, wikis) to advance economic freedom and individual liberty. By linking liberty-minded citizens throughout the country to create a more transparent and accountable government, the Sam Adams Alliance is growing communities and building relationships, so the ideals of our Founding Fathers flourish for future generations."

Is this the group you are talking about? WHERE does it say they are against public schools? WHERE??? Please provide your source. That is if it comes from somewhere besides your delusional brain.

Let's see, they are for a transparent and accountable government. Is that a bad thing in your book? Does this make them against public schools?

http://samadamsalliance.org/about/

Here is info about the American Majority:

"American Majority specifically advocates for a reversal of the seat of government power and a return to true federalism, wherein states and localities hold the great majority of everyday government exercise."

Please point to where they are "against public schools". More lies apple. You should be ashamed.

Come on St. Jo. Don't believe the lies apple and the TF are telling you. THIS levy is not right for our community. Their goal apparently is to keep us among the lowest funded districts in the state. WHY? Seems like they may be the ones who are truly "against" our schools and our community.

What's that old saying? Be careful of wolves in sheep's clothing.

source for last post: http://www.americanmajority.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=9

yougottabeliddingme,
Thank you for understanding where I am coming from.Some people just want to remain in the status quo.I do want better for my children and the fact remains I will vote no and I truely beleive alot of our community is going to.
At which point how could you have a plan before you have any communication?Some think the old way here is the plan like it or not this is what we are going to put to the people.But sorry that falls into the old ways and status quo and we see where that has gotten us.
Any plan must have communication with the SJSB/SJSD and the community with the communitys trust and support for the SJSD/SJSB for it to pass.This I might say has to happen in the community as a whole.Then and only then can we move forward.So for the ones who what your plan there can not be one without all sides involved and communicating to come up with a plan.Now if we continue down the road telling people this is what it is like it or not then we will continue to have the community tell them no.

yougotta - there a blogs after blogs from the American Majority about how to make schools private and you know it. Explain how Im for keeping the district as one of the lowest funded in the state when I want to restore funding while you don't.

Blogs??? Opinion or fact? Show me where you are seeing this. Come on, let us see where you get your information. Worried we may find out you are being less than honest in your assertions?

No, you want to restore funding to keep the district at among the lowest levels in the state for 5 more years. I argue for increased and permanent funding. See the difference? Understand the logic? I know it's a stretch for you.

Yougottabekiddingme
You are wasting your time with sence/apple.Same as before nothing from them but onesided views.This person is not able to see anything besides their views and if yours do not fall into line with their views the attacks begin.

Right from their web page - their mission statement -

http://www.americanmajority.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=9

Freedom for Individuals
Property rights strengthened through the reduction or elimination of property taxes is an example of this principle advanced.

Educational freedom expanded and the power of the unions reduced or removed from our schools is an example of this principle advanced

Education freedom expanded? how is this equate to "against public schools for you?"

Lower and/or property taxes ALSO does not equal "against public schools".

The funding would just have to come from different sources like sales tax.

You are trying to see villians were there are none.

Sorry, you will have to try again.

so explain how taking current funding away before you have the alternative source available a good thing for the schools. Keep looking them up, countless articals of them wanting to make schools private especially in Oklahoma -

I see villians who send fliers from Chicago calling our school board clowns, why can't you -

i see that american majority is holding a seminar in KC on Nov 6.... http://www.americanmajority.org/events/events-calendar/view/177/23

in the description of some of the skill sets being taught in the seminar is a "how to" on starting a grass roots effort..... i hope they have a section on how to keep the weeds/astroturf out.

this group appears to be a proponent of a return to federalism. nothing wrong with that concept!

Apple/sense: Also would like to point out that seems like these groups pretty much stand for the same kind of stuff our founding fathers fought for. Government transparency, accountability, economic freedom, individual liberty, federalism. Kind of un-American if you ask me to be against that kind of stuff.

Maybe you are THE outsider.....

; )

I am proud to be an okie from muskogee.....

OK has great schools.

Wow - for someonw who fist claimeed to know nothing about these groups you seem to be able to defend them with the same words they use.

Go figure - now this is a joke it really is -

Only two things come from Oklahoma - "Officer and a Gentleman"

I have many friends in Oklahoma, they make fun of Missouri and this is the line I always shoot back at them

Having lived in both OK and MO for a very long time, the phrase comes to mind: "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

They are more alike than most think, but I like the weather in OK alot better.

back to the issue at hand re: the Sam Adams Alliance and American Majority.

Honestly, never heard of them until you started speaking about them. Did some research because of your comments and I like what I read. I even added the American Majority to my Facebook.

Believe it or not, I have not yet made up my mind on the school vote. I do feel upset with the school district for past matters and how they handle things and equally am miffed at the tactics of the river rats.

I am, however, consumed with the "hunt". I must say I find it ironic that a member of the ethics commission would be involved so heavily and that it's only when they are pressed, do they reveal that fact.

Doesn't that smell funny to anyone else? Don't tell me what a great community person this is, it's not right for an ethics comission member to be the "filer" for a campaign....just wink at the deadlines....just wink at not disclosing donors, etc. and laying under cover and just turning your nose up to the complaints. It appears that vindication and wanting to be right at all costs are involved after doing some limited research.

Do the ends justify the means? This also applies to several posters on here.

I would hope that even those that are voting no for other perceived legitimate reasons would be smelling something here and keep this in perspective if you were ever on the opposing side of any issue that this particular "ethics" commission member is on.

Lots of conspiracies have been raised along this hunt. The tables certainly could change in the future.

Further, as pointed out by others, please vote based upon facts and research...not on vindication....even if it's a yes vote to get back at the reaking river rats.

Again no who you are dealing with - here is a link to the web page of the President of the American Majoriy blog space

http://www.americanmajority.org/component/search/public%2Bschools/%252F?ordering=&searchphrase=all

Notice the blogs and what they have in common. Pushing private schools over public. Charter schools, school tax credits. This group is behind Tea parties and activating citizens to run for office. They are the ones throwing $35,000 into Axuim to print these lies.

Look at the local opposition, see how they obey the American Majority new media training by using these posts and blogs to spread their agenda.

They attack anyone who speaks up for the school, they even tell the coach of Central who will be retiring this year he is only concerned with his salary.

These people will stop at nothing and for what? Simply returning funding to our local schools. For not wanting our district to be the lowest funded schools in the state. For putting as much value on kids today as those in school a year ago.

This has nothing to do with community engagemnt, district communication, it is pushing a national agenda into our community and our community will suffer.

St. Joe, Kansas City fought them and won, Platte City fought them and won, they don't care the issue or the reasons or what happens after, don't beleive research them, read the blogs.

Even if you agree with them, you can't keep money from your schools. If you don't stand up for your kids St. Joe, who will -

Apple/sense: Why won't YOU stand up for the kids?

So after that post, that is your response, thate it, thats all, thats all you can put together. Man, I must have really hit the nail on that one then.

I'm not only standing up for my children, Im standing up with my community. I don't as you have champion national political agendas that mock our own. I don't believe in using our kids as political footballs as you wish.

Now lets see - City council members are for this, chamber and many busienss leaders, the school board, the school district, they all know the plan - why would they want to move foward with something you beleive is bad for them?

Stand up for your kids, it is clear, some only want to knock them down. Stand up for your own.

sense, it is possible that they have been drinking the koolaid as well.

Alot of leaders in this town are nothing but followers. You should know that.

Sure people in the public eye such as commiunity leaders are going to be pro education as they should be and the ones of us who want better for our children and will vote no are pro education as well but we are the ones who voted for this the last time and now some of us do not believe the direction they are going is right and will vote No and now we are getting attacked for our positions.Everybody knew there would be yes voters that would become No voters.

yougotta - got no idea what that ment -

Boz, how in the world do we need $1.08 now and over $2 in 5 years?. The last five years it was $.63 and they were able to put $20 million into the reserve while only using or needing $12 million. Are you suggesting that the SJSD is going to increase their operating cost around $40 million and again in 5 years that number will more then double? We need the money we have in the reserves. But we don't need any more. How is the SJSD going to spend this $40 million? This is just an operating levy. Not for new schools. There is no possible way to spend that much money unless there is alot of waste. Pass the $.63 levy, show the citizens how you spend the money and what is actually needed over the next five years then put an actual amount - not just one dreamed up - on the ballot without a sunset clause. People like you will get this defeated because you are already saying it is not enough without any proof on how it is going to be spent. Just passing the $.63 levy gives the district $20 million more to use since they don't need any more in reserves. I find that is plenty.