Let's establish something up front, before the rhetoric. I am totally, unequivocally AGAINST giving our school district any more money. I am appalled at how much of my annual tax money the school gets from me, and how little I see being put back into the schools. St Joseph has not been the first town I have lived in, but I have never given so much money to a school district before.
I have followed with great interest the school superintendent, Dr. Melody Smith, in her requests for the residents to give and give. I have seen her presume, no wait, assume that the fine citizens of St Joe can be bamboozled into approving both a bond and levy tax to satisfy an urge that Dr. Smith has to demolish and rebuild anew. She has assumed that both measures on the upcoming ballot will easy pass, and has even coerced the Board into purchasing land for a new school site based upon the ASSUMPTION that she will get her funds. I want to deny her every last penny based on her attitude alone.
But I do realize that the children are our future. Great line... thank you Whitney Houston. In all reality, I believe that the operating levy may be a good investment. A little high, but an investment nonetheless. The Board should learn to live within the confines of an actual budget and provide "proof" that they can exercise fiscal responsibility and sound investments. They should not make rash decisions to purchase land without prior approval from the people. This levy may be vital to their success, but I will not know for certain until I can obtain a copy of the budget, which thus far has been nearly impossible to obtain (Once I do, I will post for public viewing).
The bond should be knocked down 100%. The citizens should stand and have their voices heard. Stand up. Our children WILL survive. The solid structures will continue to benefit them. The bond will not provide your student with books or computers. It is wasteful.
A recent quote from Dr Smith notes that now she is against the building initiative. After she pushed it and pushed it. Why the backpedaling now?
Perhaps the people really are strong enough to get their voices heard. Perhaps the politicians don't really have the upper hand. Let's show this woman that she can't get everything she wants. Demand fiscal responsibility. Vote NO in April. Vote.
