I’m curious about the first paragraph of today’s full page Press ad in favor of the CdA school levy. Did you notice it? After the title and subtitle of the ad, there’s a section, in bold letters, that says this:
“An anonymous group is trying to paint the picture that our school district is a fat cow with an “insatiable appetite for spending”. Not True! Funny, this group is backed by an organization out of Spokane Determined to rid Idaho schools of funding. Doe we want Spokane influencing how we choose to support our children’s education?” ……………………..Thoughts on this? What do you think of the levy?
No amount of additional funding for the school district will supplement the dearth of leadership from the board. Of all the things Mr. Ballew hit upon in his My Turn column, the one that sticks out the most for me is that the school district board of trustees has effectively eliminated themselves from the budgeting process. In fact, that entire process is internal to administration. Where are public hearings? Where are the public workshops?
Comment by Dan — March 7, 2011 @ 9:17 am
If the group is anonymous, then how did the proponents of today’s ad discern the group’s alleged intent is to rid Idaho schools of funding?
I’m less concerned about the Spokane group buying ads than I am about people who do not live Coeur d’Alene (but live in Canada and other states) being allowed to vote in our local elections, including school elections.
Comment by Bill — March 7, 2011 @ 11:54 am
And Bill, did you know that the school election ballots will be counted by hand? That’s what County Clerk Hayes told the GOP Central Committee at their last meeting a couple of weeks ago. The necessary prep work for ballot printing was not ready when he took office and deadlines overtook the process, we were told.
Comment by Gary Ingram — March 7, 2011 @ 12:11 pm
Gary,
Based on what I saw in the County Elections Office a few months ago, that last statement is not a surprise at all.
Comment by Bill — March 7, 2011 @ 12:19 pm
Could this be a case of placing the budget on the dining room table and walking by it?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — March 7, 2011 @ 12:22 pm
My kids just called and said there is a walk out and the teachers told them they could go
Comment by concerned citizen — March 7, 2011 @ 12:22 pm
I am so not ok with teachers talking to my children about the levy unless it is an unbiased debate atmosphere discussing the pros and cons. This is an ADULT responsibility and should be handled by responsible adults. This makes me very angry.
Comment by concerned citizen — March 7, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
Susie,
I think it is another example of “failure of duty” by our former Kootenai County Clerk and his elections office administrator. They had a duty to assure that if and after their departure from the scene, the job would get done at an acceptable level. Good leaders select and prepare subordinates to carry on if the leader fails or falls. We used to call it “If I drop dead…” planning. Even in private industry there are “continuity of operations” plans for different eventualities.
Comment by Bill — March 7, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
Bill,
Not if one would want to insure the outcome.
Comment by concerned citizen — March 7, 2011 @ 1:01 pm
concerned citizen,
Unbelievable sloppiness would certainly make manipulation of the outcome much easier. That’s a very strong argument for documented and enforced processes and procedures. In the case of election processes and procedures, that leadership by example should have come from the Secretary of State and his Chief Deputy. From my perspective, it didn’t. If I were a registered voter in any other county in Idaho, I would be very concerned about what the election contest lawsuit in Kootenai County uncovered. It happened here, and it can happen anywhere.
Comment by Bill — March 7, 2011 @ 1:35 pm
Well that was kinda obvious considering the last (cough cough) election.
Comment by concerned citizen — March 7, 2011 @ 3:57 pm
As I predicted, it looks like the Levy is going to pass. The margins seem a little lower than recent years, but it’s still a hefty majority. People here really do support the schools.
Comment by Dan — March 8, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
The levy passed. I guess I will continue to enjoy antenna television and dial-up internet for the next few years.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — March 9, 2011 @ 7:35 am