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| Post Number: 51
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bianca 
Group: Members
Posts: 1882
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,5:50 pm |
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I think your judgement is being clouded by the fact that you don't like the other taxes that we have to pay and still a little sore about Dorman and ALEDA and so you are using this to serve a purpose other than the issue of the referendum. Just my opinion of course but what doesn't seem undoable with the proposed cuts that may not even need to be made?
We never had 3 Vice Principals when we were in school making 100,000 a year and we had a much bigger graduating class than there is now.
I still think the school has had the money and the scores were down now they need to prove that the scores will go up and the quality of teaching before we give them anymore money. Out of towners aren't just looking at a "nice" highschool that offers "nice" things, they are going to be looking for scores and that's where we're lacking.
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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: 52
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scorenix
Group: Members
Posts: 1147
Joined: Dec. 2004
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,6:53 pm |
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When we graduated in 1982, you could go to work at Wilson's and make $22,000 a year on the lines. Or you could go to college, get a degree in Accounting, and come out earning $18,000 a year, with the idea you would progress and earn more.
25 years later, you can graduate and get a job at Select Foods for $18,000 a year, or go to college and get an Accounting degree and come out at $40,000+.
Back in 1982, the CEO of Hormel made around $250,000 a year, now it's in the millions.
When we graduated from high school in 1982, we didn't call our superintendent Doctor. Now it's a requirement. Principals are required to have advance degrees. And what? You think we should pay them less?
Yes, some paying jobs have regressed over the past 25 years, while others have advanced tremendously. And what they have in common is often times education.
I argue that education and security are the two most important resources in which a society should invest.
Yes, I think the county has wasted tremendous resources. And the problem is structural. Look at their annual property tax increases. In absolute dollar terms, they are growing. It's easy to say, well, 10% equates to $1 million, so next year a $1 million increase is only 9%. Our county has a structural problem, absolute tax increases are growing. $800,000 grows into $1 million, then $1.2 million. They can raise what they need, as opposed to a school district that must ask voter permission.
As to the ALEDA, I'm not sore, I'm disappointed. There is a different, and obviously I have failed to impress that upon you. Dorman was not qualified to head the ALEDA, in terms of education or experience. And Albert Lea will suffer for that. When you see me at our next class reunion, one of us will tell the other they were wrong. I hope I am wrong. I hope Dorman is successful. I hope he uses whatever he "luck" he has to help Albert Lea grow. And if he is, I will be the first to pat the backs of the ALEDA members and praise them for the vision they possessed in selecting Dorman.
But if Dorman is not successful, I would expect every Board member to resign. Not when, for $90,000 a year, they could have gotten someone experienced, someone educated, for the position.
Albert Lea faces some serious issues, and personally, I don't feel they are being addressed. You can chastise me if you want, but it's my opinion, and time will either prove me right or wrong. But if this referendum fails, it's another slamming door on Albert Lea (and they're aren't too many doors left).
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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: 53
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JeffJimenez
Group: Members
Posts: 489
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,7:19 pm |
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Well said Scorenix. I agree with you 100%. This has nothing to do with how much Prescott or how much money anyone makes. It is all about our children and the QUALITY of education we all should be providing for them. This community has a lot to think about in the next few months. If you vote NO, I guess I need say no more.
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"We don't sell albums, we sell CD's".
Kevin Freeland, former President Musicland Group Inc.
(after Best Buy acquisition of Musicland Group)
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| Post Number: 54
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bianca
Group: Members
Posts: 1882
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,7:29 pm |
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So your answer for raising taxes is raising taxes. As I said before what doesn't seem doable on Mr. Prescotts list if the "supposed" referendum doesn't pass?
I am not chastising you for your thoughts on Dorman and the ALEDA I just don't understand what you are trying to get across in saying all of the county and city taxes weren't up to us but now that these taxes are up to us we should say yes?
Sorry but I'm still sticking to my opinion and that is that the teachers need to be accountable for teaching our kids well enough that they can get passing scores and until that happens the gravy train shouldn't be coming in.
That school is a seashell, our kids are the pearl, and the teachers should teach them how to shine. When I see highschool cashiers not knowing how to count change for a five dollar bill in their head because they don't have a calculator in their hands I'm worried, and it happens all the time.
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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: 55
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,7:48 pm |
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| Quote | | It is all about our children and the QUALITY of education we all should be providing for them. |
So throwing more money at it (increased taxes) translates into quality? Since when... Hasn't happened yet.
Explain exactly how money translates into quality.
It can't be about getting a high paying job, college is that determiner. So it's about getting into a good college you say? Our kids test BELOW the average so more money hasn't helped at all. If you didn't tax everyone so much for high school they'd have more to spend on college and that's what employers look at.
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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: 56
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JeffJimenez
Group: Members
Posts: 489
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,8:00 pm |
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If you want to call it "throwing money", so be it. I personally do not have a problem putting my hard earned money into education. Obviously, 3T, you have issues with spending your money on other things besides weed. I put all my personal feelings aside with you 3T, your attacks on people, smart ass comments and plain disregard for anyone with whom you don't like or disagree with. After all, this is a public forum, right?. BUT, I have kids that will attend school here in Albert Lea for a long time. I want the best for them and for every kid in town. Eliminating educational programs is not the answer. Like I said before, come November we will see what is important to the members of this community.
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"We don't sell albums, we sell CD's".
Kevin Freeland, former President Musicland Group Inc.
(after Best Buy acquisition of Musicland Group)
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| Post Number: 57
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 23 2007,8:54 pm |
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Again...Explain exactly how money translates into quality.
| Quote | | I personally do not have a problem putting my hard earned money into education. |
I don't have a problem with you putting in your hard earned money either. But these referendums are about you voting for ME to put in MY money.
Also, explain why I shouldn't ban your post for TOU violation for falsely accusing me of committing a crime like illegal drug purchasing.
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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: 58
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wildjim
Group: Members
Posts: 187
Joined: Jul. 2007
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,12:01 am |
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First, people need to understand that this is not the same as last year. If this fails these lose dollars. This is a renewal of a referendum in place. But while I agree with some of the posts of the no's, there taking it out on kids. Sorry you don't like the new school but about half the students in 241 were not even in school when the high school opened.
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| Post Number: 59
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,12:28 am |
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You know what? If I don't win the lotto this year I lose money too. I like the new school, in my view it was needed. What's also needed are people who can work within a budget.
Your thinking is faulty. Increased property taxes does not translate into smarter kids by any stretch of the imagination. If money was all it took, parents could purchase whatever test scores they wanted for their kids.
I'm smarter than all of you combined, you should listen and learn.
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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: 60
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Sunkissed
Group: Members
Posts: 53
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,8:25 am |
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If this does pass in Nov do you really think we will see any changes? Sports will still go up, lunches will still go up, teachers will still get raises, this is not going to make a difference as far as I can see. As prescott said "if it passes we "may" not have to make cuts". So if it passes cuts might still have to be made. So then why vote yes?
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