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| Post Number: 101
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bianca 
Group: Members
Posts: 1882
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Sep. 04 2007,5:43 pm |
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Ok, I've tried to fix my initial post three times. I finally fixed the initial post but then I couldn't erase my two fix-up posts after that.  Hard to believe that I can be so computer illiterate while my brother is a computer genius. 
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I believe in the patriotism and energy and initiative of the average man. Woodrow Wilson
Early in life, I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. — Frank Lloyd Wright (1868-1959)
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| Post Number: 102
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scorenix
Group: Members
Posts: 1147
Joined: Dec. 2004
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Posted on: Sep. 04 2007,6:19 pm |
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And today the county set a tax levy that will increase county taxes by $1 million for 2008. Following, of course, years of steadily accelerating the amount of money needed. Have a problem?
Well, hire someone, and pass the salary onto the taxing public. Because when you run for office or re-election, simply say: (i) you'll work to increase cooperation with the city and see where you can combine services, (2) you'll fight to end the runaway tax increases, and, (3) you'll work to promote economic growth in the community. (There is a fourth, but I'll save that for later).
So why are you so upset about a cash strapped school district that cannot raise the taxes necessary, a state that has reduced its level of education support, while the city and county run rampant with tax increases?
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"Here is something for those who think I have not done much on my own to think about. I must then be one of the luckiest people around, and I think I am, I should then be able to keep that same luck going for the benefit of our area." - New ALEDA Executive Director Dan Dorman.
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| Post Number: 103
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| Post Number: 104
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scorenix
Group: Members
Posts: 1147
Joined: Dec. 2004
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Posted on: Sep. 04 2007,8:51 pm |
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Not at all.
What I am saying is there is this indictment against the school district for asking for more money. At its basic level, citizens should support education and security at their local level.
The school district has to come to the voters to request more money. The city and the county do not. And yet the city/county tax increases are crushing, because the city (on its massive beautification program) and the county (unable to get its house in order) are not properly dealing with structural problems. The real issue is with local conditions, and the school district is more a sympton, not a cause, of those problems.
Economic development has failed to generate sustainable growth in household income in Freeborn County. At the same time, population growth has been negative. This weighs on the county as a whole, the city, and the school district. As the state has cut back, Freeborn County has ignored this, and instead has refused to cut back on its spending. Olmstead County, faced with state cutbacks, made a massive cut to its budget. Freeborn County borrowed. Is it any wonder that Freeborn County faces a significantly higher tax levy?
I see more of a need for the school district to raise taxes than the city or the county. But actions taken by the city and county will prevent people from approving a referendum, if only because they feel tax rates have risen enough in recent years. Albert Lea is not a wealthy town, and in fact, would like qualify as a below middle income town. There is a flight taking place from this town that is going to escalate in future years. If development does not occur, it will only hasten the departure. And what you will be left with is declining incomes and housing values (as an aside, I would advise anyone to challenge their tax assessment for next year - the growth simply isn't there), but rising taxes.
So in conclusion (wild applause here, I'm sure) I can justify the school district more than the county or the city.
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"Here is something for those who think I have not done much on my own to think about. I must then be one of the luckiest people around, and I think I am, I should then be able to keep that same luck going for the benefit of our area." - New ALEDA Executive Director Dan Dorman.
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| Post Number: 105
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Sep. 04 2007,10:08 pm |
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That's because Gabe showed the minority how to oppress the majority for which he was financially rewarded with a new job.
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My choice is what I choose to do,
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you choose to be,
And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me.
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| Post Number: 106
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busybee
Group: Members
Posts: 2510
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: Sep. 05 2007,12:15 am |
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Scorenix, that was a really good post. I completely agree that it's not fair how we are taxed without accountability by the city and county governments. The only real say we have is when we vote for one person to represent us and as usual in politics, what is promised never seems to happen. I don't see any progress for Albert Lea or Freeborn County, except for government, the hospital/clinic and Wal-mart. So, what can or should we do about it?
As far as the school district, I'm not against a referendum for education. I'm against a referendum that is no different than any other one being asked for. Maybe you'll be willing to forgive me, but I just have to say that I would much rather vote yes for a referendum that goes 80-90% towards improving instruction than supporting sports or extra cirricular activities. If we want smart kids, than we need to be smart in our thinking about what is best, not what we want so we can be like other districts in hopes that people will want to come here because of the extra's. (That's our local governments' style of thinking)
Owatonna spent $5,944.00 per pupil for the 2005-06 school year.
Albert Lea spent $6,332.00 per pupil for the 2005-06 school year.
Austin spent $6,374.00 per pupil for the 2005-06 school year.
2006 AYP RESULTS: Owatonna-in trouble
Albert Lea-heading for trouble
Austin-avoiding trouble by passing
Same results for these schools with the 2007 AYP report.
Passing a referendum based upon needing to keep things the same is not acceptable to me and it's not fair to the students we want to support in getting the best education available. It's the lazy way out. There is no reason why the A.L. district couldn't propose some cuts and ask for the same amount of money so they can improve on instruction for educational benefits in reading, math, science, history, writing, health...every kid NEEDS that and I can't think of one student in the district that would suffer harmful affects from having more of it.
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| Post Number: 107
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atlantic
Group: Members
Posts: 116
Joined: Aug. 2007
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Posted on: Sep. 05 2007,1:38 am |
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Did anyone read the sunday's paper letter to the editor.. that recent graduate of ALHS has some decent points... everyone in the school district is there to better the lives of our children... why do the administrators need to be paid so much
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| Post Number: 108
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bianca
Group: Members
Posts: 1882
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Sep. 05 2007,5:14 am |
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I might be backwards on this but didn't the highschool go to a 4 period day to cut-back on costs?
So, why this year are they back to the seven periods if it costs more money?
Scorenix- I understand completely how you feel and think about the powers that be, but we have to start somewhere. And if our students aren't up to par, according to the state, I don't think it is fair to the kids if they aren't getting the education and skills they need. Math and Reading are huge parts of our life. We NEED them for our kids to be successful. This has got to be addressed after three years in a row.
As far as the city and county.... it IS ridiculous! And you won't get an argument with me over the numerous issues concerning that. But I think the only thing we can do there is, as stated many times, when these terms come up, get rid of any of them with a "bad report card" the ones who didn't do their jobs as promised.
My opinion: Behrends and Mathiason both need to go on the county board, they have not shown that they are looking out for everyone on the whole but I think you need to have someone to replace them with someone you know will go to bat for you rather than the broken promises. Although IMO, anyone would be better than those two.
The same with the city council, get rid of Simonson's "yes" men. IMO, Rasmussen, Olson and Marin aren't doing anybody any favors. Brooks goes back and forth but he listens to his constituents. The problem he has is that he wants everyone to get their way and not everyone can.
And the Mayor......I still have yet to figure THAT one out. He stunk as a city council member so how did he get to be Mayor?!
You have very valid points scorenix, however, we aren't going to be able to solve everything right now. Their time will come then hopefully some people will have to do some canvassing of their own on to educate citizens on reasons why these people should not be re-elected. Everything is taped and televised now so it wouldn't be hard to come up with the issues/money increases they voted for. It just takes time and effort to take back our community.
And just to be clear on this. I too would much rather see my tax dollars go to education as would probably 3/4 of the city. But I want to know that I am getting something back in ways of student improvement before I invest in incidentals.
I didn't/don't feel like the "possible" proposed cuts sounded unreasonable even if the district did put them in place. Instead they use them as a "maybe this will happen if you don't pay up" sword of Damocles. But I also think jimhanson had a ratiocination: they pay half and we pay half ..... as long as we are shown HOW the district is going to address the AYP.
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I believe in the patriotism and energy and initiative of the average man. Woodrow Wilson
Early in life, I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. — Frank Lloyd Wright (1868-1959)
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| Post Number: 109
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katlade
Group: Members
Posts: 302
Joined: Aug. 2007
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Posted on: Sep. 05 2007,12:06 pm |
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My kids are out of school now, but I don't remember that any referendum passing that changed anything for them. Here is the deal - no matter what Bush states about the economy-it is not good. With rising prices from everything from gas to milk we all have to learn to budget. It is high time for the district to learn to do the same without hurting the kids that need assistance the most. Maybe they need to hire another controller that can crunch the numbers or maybe everyone on the board needs to be replaced.
As far as teachers go, I have noticed that even back when I attended school and then my children attended school some of the worse teachers were the ones that had been their the longest adn probably paid the most.
Our schools are much better than many in the country so do with what we already have and when Albert Lea can manage to bring in employers that pay more than $10.00 an hour and cover health benefits maybe you can try asking for money again.
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"Stupid is as stupid does"
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| Post Number: 110
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busybee
Group: Members
Posts: 2510
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: Sep. 05 2007,12:07 pm |
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QUOTE I might be backwards on this but didn't the highschool go to a 4 period day to cut-back on costs?
So, why this year are they back to the seven periods if it costs more money?
I remember them saying a 4 period day would save money and offer a better education...longer time spent on one subject a day, more opportunities for electives.
The fact is, it wasn't ever a more cost effective way to provide instruction than a 7 period day.
As far as the benefits and effects on the delivery of education instruction, that could be disputed either way. I would rather students get subjects, such as math, all year round compared to cramming it all into one semester a year. Students in high school can go an entire year between math courses with a 4 block period day system. That's too long. It would be like the government expecting us to be proficient in preparing and filing our own taxes each year, but only giving us the information to learn how, to use and apply, for only 3 months out of the year.
QUOTE And if our students aren't up to par, according to the state, I don't think it is fair to the kids if they aren't getting the education and skills they need. Math and Reading are huge parts of our life. We NEED them for our kids to be successful. This has got to be addressed after three years in a row.
Even before this AYP system, I haven't been satisfied with the philosophy of education, especially at the high school level.
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