9.24.2008

www.yes281.org

Yes281.org


Comment: I generally vote "yes" on school referendums because well funded public schools are good for property values. I will again this year. The referendum failed last November.

Posted by Jim Peet at 9/24/2008 05:59:00 PM

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10 comments:

  1. Bike BubbaSeptember 25, 2008 at 10:46:00 AM CDT

    Count me out on that one; school funding's correlation to school quality (the actual thing that correlates to good property values) is weak at best. If high funding made good schools, DC, Chicago, and Minneapolis would be the envy of the country.

    Where I live, the school system has just built a new high school that is two to three times bigger than it needs to be--at an additional cost of around $60 million--right after a too big elementary school at a cost of $40 million. While they're building monster schools, they're also complaining about the fact that, since kids are so far from their schools, the diesel bill for the buses is a killer.

    Well, yeah. Count me as a consistent "no" on these things. If the school system hasn't figured out how to live on a budget after the town has been there for decades, they don't need more money. They need some fiscal discipline.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2008 at 3:36:00 PM CDT

    I couldn't have said it any better, BB.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2008 at 6:15:00 PM CDT

    District 281 is seeking additional money to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes. Money pays for teachers. There is a correlation between teachers and education. There is nothing weak in that correlation.

    Although it may be possible that money for that purpose could be obtained through better management of existing resources it seems irresponsible to assume that that is always the case. Some specific suggestion of where money is being wasted would be helpful here. Without any such suggestion those who oppose this referendum just seems like delinquents who don't think they should have to pay their bills.

    I always vote yes on school referendums. I do that not because it increases my property values but because it is right for the kids. If there is some reasonable evidence that money is being mismanaged then I vote to replace school board members.

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  4. Terry LangeSeptember 28, 2008 at 11:34:00 PM CDT

    Voting yes on a school referendum is liking giving money away and not making anyone accountable.

    Go back and see what the per pupil spending is in your district.

    If this were like a business, most of the school districts would have been shut down long ago because the ROI is so poor.

    Count me out on getting ripped off by the government.

    I will vote for more money when they can prove that they use what we already give them in a wise manner. Right now, they have proven that they can spend it recklessly with no regard.

    Referendums = theft by government

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  5. Bike BubbaSeptember 29, 2008 at 10:33:00 AM CDT

    Actually, the correlation between the teacher/student ratio and educational achievement is weak at best as well. Yet another reason to vote "no" on school bond/tax hikes.

    Reality here is that a typical suburban school district spends about a quarter million dollars per classroom annually, of which 25% or less actually goes to the teacher. Moreover, the quadrupling of per student funding in real terms since 1950 also correlates to a quadrupling of the illiteracy rate.

    Not exactly the trend line I'd like to follow.

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  6. JohnOctober 15, 2008 at 1:12:00 PM CDT

    Please go to the following site to see my thoughts regarding this topic. Thanks John

    http://www.give2attain.blogspot.com/

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  7. AnonymousOctober 15, 2008 at 1:44:00 PM CDT

    Although I do not live in theis district, the same is happening all over Minnesota. Our school district was seeking money and we heard all of the threats. The Superintendent "retired" after the referendum passed. He left with a $68,000 severence package. While he was Superintedent, he had sweet perks. One of which was a $500+/month car allowance. Where does the money go? If the schools opened the books, perhaps more people would be informed on where the money is spent. Perhaps that wouldn't be a good thing for the schools?

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  8. AnonymousOctober 22, 2008 at 10:07:00 AM CDT

    I'd like to see every citizen educate themselves (www.yes281.org)The 281 school district used to be one of the best, now we are sliding down hill. We need funding to be competitive with St. Louis Park, Edina, Wayzata and the other top notch school districts in the area. Home value is tied to the quaility of education in the district you live in.

    My husband is a teacher in this district and I see his frustration with the lack of administrative support, lack of funds for his classroom. Basic classroom needs for students come out of our pocket - we spend around $500 each year on Paper, pencils, backpacks, and classroom supplies. In addition to that we often obtain or pay for winter coats, hats/mittens, and class pictures for kids that can not afford the basic needs of life.

    Make sure you educate yourselves and VOTE for a better tomorrow. Make sure you educate yourselves on the people that represent you - The school board are our elected officials. They are responsible for the fiscal performance of the school - as well as employing Stan Mack!

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  9. JohnNovember 1, 2008 at 8:35:00 PM CDT

    Sorry I did not comment sooner. I will be Voting YES on Options 1 & 2.

    For a lot more regarding my thoughts, please reference Speed Gibson's blog, Freedom Dogs or mine at.

    http://give2attain.blogspot.com/

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  10. JohnNovember 1, 2008 at 8:52:00 PM CDT

    For your convenience:

    Give2Attain

    Still getting used to using html...

    ReplyDelete

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