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Regarding the upcoming school bond issue (item 3C) the Delta County voters will be deciding on:
I have looked into this issue and become involved with a committee of parents and teachers supporting the bond. I have also visited several of the schools and spoken to both principals and maintenance personnel.
The proposed projects as outlined on the Delta County School District Web site aren’t luxury or fluff. The projects that would be funded are distributed across all communities in our district, and range from academics to athletics to technology support to building maintenance. For specifics, click on the Web site deltaschools.com/mondays.
These are projects that must be done to maintain our schools, much as one might maintain their own home. These are projects necessary to support the increasing number of students in our community. These are projects that will not go away. These are projects that will cost more every year that they are delayed. Assuming a low inflation rate of 10 percent per year for repairs, in 5 years the same projects will cost about $80 million.
In addition, I have learned of the existence of the state based BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) program. This coming year, this new program will award $500 million for capital construction projects in school districts across the state. If we as a county approve a timely bond initiative, we show our dedication to improving education in Delta County. Our chance of receiving BEST funds will be greatly enhanced.
I urge voters in Delta County to lend their support towards approval of the school bond initiative, item 3C on the ballot.
SARA KNUTSON
Cedaredge
One Response to “Delta County should vote ‘Yes’ on 3C”
Posted September 30th, 2008 at 5:11 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Although I am one in favor of education, and have a great deal of respect for all forms of knowledge, and in evey discipline, my opinion is the following:
This year, and now, the only correct and responsible position to be taken on this school bond issue is a resounding “NO”.
True, there may be many ‘wants’ out there, but ‘wanting’ should not be the benchmark. There are also the ‘needs’ of others, and the needs, even of others, must take precedence over ‘wants’, even if they are mine. That is particularly true in times are uncertain or having entered a period of economic decline. Now, Ms. Knutson and her group may be well intended but, while THEY may have the resources to ‘fork over’ those types of funds, some of us know many who do not. It is those individuals upon which the heaviest burden will fall.
There is one thing that needs ‘fixing’ before we proceed to expend any more funds. And that is to determine what we are ‘getting’ for our money.
Colorado is one of the two states that has the lowest graduation standards. They are even lower than those who formerly held that dubious distinction, states like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, etc. That is what first needs to be looked at, or we are merely perpetuating the existing mediocrity. It is something no responsible individual should be prepared to tolerate.
In bringing this up to a retired teacher, she stated that is was because teachers were not being ‘paid enough’. Teacher pay has absolutely nothing to do with establishing standards. It has to do solely with the resources required to achieve those standards. Then, and only then, should the school district come before the public asking for more funds.
Ms. Knutson also mentions that the ‘bond issue’ should be approveed because of needed maintenance and repairs. That, from a business point of view, makes absolutely no sense. Maintenance and repairs should be part of normal operating costs, and taken from the normal and on-going school district revenue streams. It does not belong within, nor should if form any part of any special bond issue. If one is found in one, then school district administrators and the school board owe us some huge explanation.
It is either that they spent those funds elsewhere, or do not know how to manage, at least a budget. Whatever the case, the first order of priority would be to replace, both the administrators and members of the school board.
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