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| Post Number: 71
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bianca 
Group: Members
Posts: 1882
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 26 2007,3:35 pm |
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I think it's useless to even bring up whether the hs was needed or not 7 years later, we have it and now what do we do?
I think jim had a good idea with his half-n-half plan and I could definitely see that working before the full asking price. But I don't see District 241 accepting that proposition, maybe you could mention it at a school board meeting Jeff and report back on their response. 
I think a lot of people still hold it against Prescott for saying they "would just ask again next year" when interviewed last year, and after he said it he further put his foot in his mouth by saying that it was up to the school board. People have a hard time forgetting stupid stuff people say and he came out sounding very callous and arrogant and I think that hurt the school's chances and people's opinion of him. IMO, once people have a bad taste in their mouth over someone in this town, it's hard to shake.
I mean, if people can't stop talking about whether we needed the school or not 7-8 years later I would think they won't be forgetting that anytime soon either.
They need to put their energy into a better spokesperson that can sell an idea to the regular working class. A lot of it seems to come down to tact.
And 3T it's a public school, do you really think that people can just write out a check? TEAM spent a lot of money on the referendum advertising last year and if they could've just wrote a check I would think they would have. Whether you have kids or not, it's taxes. Everybody pays, not just a select few, that's the beauty of it.
I definitely agree on the televised school board meetings also, not everyone can make it to those meetings but if they are televised like everything else citizens can decide for themselves if the board is trying to come up with solutions and representing us the way we elected them to do. When these boards/councils don't let these meetings be televised then citizens start thinking that it's for a reason and that they really don't want people to know what is going on.
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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: 72
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Botto 82
Group: Members
Posts: 6293
Joined: Jan. 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 26 2007,5:14 pm |
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| Quote (bianca @ Aug. 26 2007,3:35pm) | | I think it's useless to even bring up whether the hs was needed or not 7 years later, we have it and now what do we do? |
I think it's very relevant to bring up the un-needed new school. It demonstrates the thinking at the core of the problem, namely the district's inability to spend within its means.
How much is Prescott's salary? How much is spent on admin salaries now? How many of these positions could be eliminated?
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Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum.
- Kurt Vonnegut
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| Post Number: 73
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Peter
Group: Members
Posts: 21
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 27 2007,2:37 pm |
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The operating or general fund budget has nothing to do with the 1998 referendum for the new high school when it comes to the schools overall budget. The public vote to fund the new school is a separate fund and cannot be used for operating. Likewise, general-operating fund money cannot be used on buildings. The state has several funds, i.e., food service, community education and etc., so funds can only be used for their designated purpose. The state also requires that a portion of your budget is used to maintain each facility. While this complicates things, each budget was designed for a purpose.
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K.P.
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| Post Number: 74
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 27 2007,4:08 pm |
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Peter--thanks for the explanation. What is the general operating fund budget for the year? The budget that does not include payments and upkeep on buildings. I don't know the exact term for it, but the same budget that the proposed operating cuts would come from?
What do you think of a "meet you half way" referendum proposal--"You cut a million, and we'll approve a million"?
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 75
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Peter
Group: Members
Posts: 21
Joined: Dec. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2007,6:56 pm |
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The General Fund (operating) is approximately $31 million. I would agree Jim that public education as a whole should be redeveloped, however, that needs to come from the state and federal governments. Each administration dictates what must be taught and don't leave much room for anything else. Yes, there are options for the extracurricular. The first place they could save the public money is to dictate what schools should exist. Right now we maintain old buildings and pay for many new buildings that should not be utilized for schools because of minimal enrollments, but no politician will address that issue. Put the money into education and not buildings unless needed.
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K.P.
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| Post Number: 76
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wildjim
Group: Members
Posts: 187
Joined: Jul. 2007
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Posted on: Aug. 29 2007,12:03 am |
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I have a hard time following some of the "logic". Some of you seem to think that you will somehow hurt Root and Prescott by voting no. If that is the average level of thoght process no wonder Albert Lea does not grow. They will both make more next year either way. The last time I saw Prescott's salary it was low compared to big nine (I would argue that we don't belong in the big nine) schools and others in the area. Do you really think the local board can control the cost of a Sup? Dream on. But if you are happy with sub par schools then go hire the cheapest one you can get. Just stop bitcxxx about the town not producing high wage jobs. Study the issue then vote yes or no as you see fit. Try to approach this using reason and logic and not some emotional rant that reflects poorly on the community.
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| Post Number: 77
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 29 2007,12:43 am |
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Do you mean like you just did? 
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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: 78
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 29 2007,9:33 am |
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Peter--thank you for the answer on the budget. You also bring up a great point on which schools SHOULD be open--like U.S. "Base Closures", no politician wants to be the one to close a local facility.
Putting money into education, instead of buildings and extracurriculars! 
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 79
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Botto 82
Group: Members
Posts: 6293
Joined: Jan. 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 29 2007,10:58 am |
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No kidding. Screw the Big 9.
Athletic programs do not provide useful skills to graduates who still can't make change at McFood. School is about learning, not about who gets to hang with the Star Quarterback, or the Homecoming Queen. It should be about preparing kids for life, and about matching them with viable career paths.
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Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum.
- Kurt Vonnegut
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| Post Number: 80
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hmmmnoidea
Group: Members
Posts: 336
Joined: Jun. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 29 2007,11:50 am |
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You know what lets get to the point our kids education. Do you want them to have a good one? I do I could careless about the big 9 all the other activities that they can do, if parents want their children in it let them pay for it. Keep it out of the budget period. I had the misfortune(fortune) of working with a 7th grader at the fair this year. We had to help her make change using quarters. Get real my 7 year old can do this. This is not a child that is being mainstreamed for a learning disability she just simply can’t count change, but she can be in cheerleading and any other activity that her mom can sign her up for. I think it’s a royal shame that she got past the 3rd grade and can’t count out simple change using dollar bills and quarters. Who do we blame the teachers the parents, school board I don’t know but there is NO reason for this to happen. If a few extra dollars a year would fix this problem yes I would pay it. But let’s focus on the education of our children and not extra activities
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There's no substitute for brains but silence helps a lot
Aliens, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth...
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