Today School District 271’s Superintendent Hazel Bauman met with folks who wrote letters opposing the recently failed levy. At the meeting, it was suggested that SD271 should hire an outside, independent, certified auditor to check up on the books. How do you feel about that? Vote now!
{democracy:7}
Mark: You rock!
Comment by Dan — June 13, 2008 @ 9:53 am
Mark II: My congratulations on setting forth your views so well. I love your line that “…not only do Americans have the right to ask questions, but they have the duty to ask questions.”
That’s what we’re doing on this blog, Mark. We may not have all the answers, but we are certainly bringing forward questions that many in our community are wondering. It’s up to our elected representatives to respect our questions and make a clear attempt to honestly answer our concerns in any reasonable format–public hearings, special meetings, newspaper articles/guest editorials or even on this blog.
That has not been happening, Mark II. In fact, it has been quite the opposite.
Comment by mary — June 13, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Below is a comment, again from another web site, today:
Bd. Mtg. Attendee wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:44 PM:
” You should see these elected Trustees at the recent board mtg. After CFO Briggs presentation on the 2008-2009 budget, his power point graphs, that he slid thru and the graph with what needs to be cut and again that was shown to the public for a short period of time. There was maybe 1 question from a board member. One question – nothing like why is money being cut from special ed., or maintenance or a secretary position of $47,000 or no money for textbooks (it was stated that there is a math adoption coming up this year) but their will be no money in this budget for textbooks.
Nothing was questioned, no other questions, no voicing of opinions, no nothing, nada, not one single discussion on the budget for 2008-2009 and the cuts that had to be made.
But when it came time to accept the budget, their heads bobbled up and down. This is your SD271 Board of Trustees at work. Isn’t the budget important???? “
Comment by cda_foodies — June 13, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
I had put a box in our breakroom that any team member could anonymously make suggestions or complaints without fear of retribution. Sometimes I did not like what people might have suggested or complained about. But still the same, I had to take a good long look to see if these suggestions or complaints were founded or not, or could infact make the business better. I have always encouraged input by my team members in my business. After all, isn’t the good of the business as a whole most important?
I commend Hazel for being able to stand the heat. I believe she is off to a good start.
Comment by concerned citizen — June 14, 2008 @ 6:00 am
Yet another post on a separate web site this a.m with very cogent questions for #271:
” Ms. Bauman…have you:
1) Launched Comprehensive Audit of SD271 Finances and the Medicare Reimbursements / Grant Applications processes?
2) Initiated an internal and personal audit of Facilities Maintenance…with a public report anticipated?
3) Solicited a neutral, third-party analysis of Idaho Statute 67-6513. SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE and the statutes cited therein from the Attorney General?
4) Buried the SD271 hatchet, realizing those who opposed the levy do not hate Students, are not against School Facility Levies, and will necessarily support paid public servants who provide educational services to our children?
5) Committed to and implemented policy as mandated by Idaho statute to ensure Citizen-Taxpayers retain oversight of SD271 activity and their right to review proposals before a vote.
6) Established a List-Serv that Citizen-Taxpayers can subscribe to for up-to-date information and and provide feedback without taking time off of work?
One critical and vital lesson to master, necessary for you and SD271 to move forward, is to realize these are our public schools, curriculum, and students and not yours or the teachers, or the Idaho Department of Education’s, or some Political Action Committee that desires a revenue stream for its PACman members.
This is our sandbox which we retain you and SD271 personnel to serve as lifeguards for our children. Enculturation is key and it must be based upon American ideals and standards, not some global mandates or some national plan like Goals 2000 and the 50-Governor Spinoff. “
Comment by cda_foodies — June 14, 2008 @ 10:11 am