The CDA Press today came out supporting the school district’s levy, using the “it’s for the kids” argument. Your thoughts?
Here are mine:
We believe trustees, administrators and long-range planners for Coeur d’Alene School District have learned valuable, sometimes painful lessons…
On the other hand, I believe they have not learned their lessons. Sitting in the school board meeting, with Trustee Edie Brooks eyeballing that rude timer ticking away the seconds a citizen can speak, tells me that this board is not interested in what we have to say. Until the Trustees are to-a-man removed, I do not believe that they’ve learned squat.
When costs escalated, district officials used some of the Lakes money for other work, leaving the middle school without improvements.
As a taxpayer, I cannot reward such behavior. Had they not spent the money, a smaller request would have been made in 2006 and an explanation provided as to why. Remember: rather than a remodel, the 2006 request was to rebuild. The editorial does not address why a remodel was adequate in 2002 but a rebuild is required in 2006 and 2008.
So what we’ll do is punish the kids?
A twisted and rude argument. The assumption is that kids are being punished now and punished because they are being educated in an old building. That’s a false assumption. The taxpayer is not stupid. Education in one structure or another has no bearing on education quality or test scores (but it does have an impact on egos in City Hall who want pretty buildings).
What’s more in this lesson is the concept of homework. How are we to teach our kids responsibility by rewarding the opposite? What would it mean for us as parents if we were to demonstrate the same lack of accountability that these trustees have with regards to maintaining Lakes Middle School? Why teach our kids that we reward a process that fails to obtain solid bids and estimates for the true cost of a rebuild?
I do agree with the Press on one thing: Lakes must be remodeled. I will gladly pay for that (again), but only when these Trustees demonstrate a process that honestly includes the public (not hand-picked district apologists who demonstrate no critical thinking) and when the Trustees obtain realistic, solid bids on the cost. Until then, I’m voting NO … for the kids.
Can someone provide a link to the SD 271 Strategic Plan? I’ve been unable to find it online. The only thing I can find online is the 2007 Community Report on Strategic Plan. I’d like to see the entire plan. Thanks.
Comment by Bill — May 18, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Mark Altman’s ”Family Matters” article in today’s Coeur d’Alene Press, with all due respect, is exactly why I will VOTE NO on this levy!
Mark has it exactly backwards. The school district needs to get its act together BEFORE they ask me for any additional funding. Read the article for yourself – twisted logic, IMO.
In the meantime… JUST SAY NO!
Comment by Damn Yankee — May 18, 2008 @ 10:59 am
Bill- I would like to see a plan for the costs of building new construction vs remodel build for Lakes— Then I would like to see planned costs on building the new school — Then I would like to see planned costs on what 1.6M will buy for technology. Oh, I forgot, all of the specific costs don’t exist because only SD271 leadership has been in charge of the facts and figures. Then they are asking us, the taxpayer to vote yes without any concrete, accurate and logical information regarding this spending levy.
Comment by ShyAnn — May 18, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
It’s always the best interest argument in the name of the children. It’s old. It’s lame. You would think by now ‘they’ would think of something more original.
I am voting NO. My daughter started school in a camp trailer because that was all that was available to bring Kindergarten to the area in another part of North Idaho – and it did not hurt her education or ability to learn. This crap about buildings is so over rated. What’s really going on – someone need a bigger gym or a nicer office?
$31.1 million dollars? Is this a joke?
Someone has their tie on too tight if they think the public is going to choke this one down.
HELL NO!
Comment by Stebbijo — May 18, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
I have searched and searched but cannot find the true strategic plan, only the report.
I did find the following however and would like a current detail of same:
http://www.sde.idaho.gov/Statistics/docs/District%20Profiles/1998-1999profiles/271.pdf
Comment by cda_foodies — May 18, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
I agree with Damn Yankee. I’m voting NO because a logical, transparent, accountable process must be set up before I vote more money for the school district. Mark Altman is a very nice guy but we differ on this issue. Mark thinks the district will change after they get the money because the voters ask them. I see the many years the district has shuffled levy money around without informing the public, and believe they will not change unless the voters take a stand and demand accountability first, before the money.
Comment by mary — May 18, 2008 @ 3:33 pm
I warned the CdA School Board back in 2006 that if they continued down the path of disrespect for the public, half truths and lack of communication with the general population it would eventually hurt the kids. The blame is on their shoulders. The board must drastically change their methods of accountability before I will vote for a levy. The children will survive until the board gets its act together. Passing this levy will send the message that we accept their behavior….poor lesson for the kids.
Comment by Mama Bear — May 18, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
A comment was made at the school district levy meeting that a percentage of children at Lakes are not reading up to standards. This has nothing to do with the building. I cannot understand why the board accepts this. All the money for technology and Johnny still cannot read? It is inexcusable.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — May 20, 2008 @ 7:46 am
To Susie Snedaker – Could you answer a question for me – it doesn’t pertain to this thread, but does refer to a recent City Council meeting where you asked (for the second time that I know of) about multiple tenants in residential housing and if there was proper zoning for it. The mayor promised you that she would have the attorney look at it and have him/her get back to you. You asked if it would happen within a few days and she replied yes. My question: Has anyone gotten back to you with an answer? Just curious; wondering if the promise was lived up to. Thanks very much.
Comment by reddy — May 20, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
I have put your vital question into its own topic: here.
Comment by Dan — May 20, 2008 @ 8:12 pm