tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post8245041098882647813..comments2023-06-24T10:52:34.846-04:00Comments on EducateHilliard.com: GravityPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-2758035138660311802008-07-02T23:17:00.000-04:002008-07-02T23:17:00.000-04:00As I reported previously, the New Albany school di...As I reported <A HREF="http://savethehilliardschools.blogspot.com/2008/06/you-think-weve-got-problems-part-ii.html" REL="nofollow">previously</A>, the New Albany school district is in a precarious position with the single emergency levy which provides half their operational funding due to expire at the end of this year.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.snponline.com/articles/2008/07/02/new_albany_news/news/naboe%206-26_20080627_0341pm_6.txt" REL="nofollow">Here's</A> what the <EM>New Albany News</EM> reports about what their school board will be doing the next few months:<BR/><BR/><EM>Over the next two months, the five-member board will be holding work sessions to discuss scenarios, and public input is encouraged.<BR/><BR/>There will be three of these sessions, the first running from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, June 30, and 7 to 8 p.m.. that same day.<BR/><BR/>Another public input session will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 1.</EM><BR/><BR/>Seems like a reasonable plan...Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-90227689792048334482008-07-02T09:13:00.000-04:002008-07-02T09:13:00.000-04:00I can't read the mind of the school board but it's...I can't read the mind of the school board but it's fun to try: <BR/><BR/><I>"After sacking those teachers, the voters will know we mean business and won't dare reject the next levy. Besides, they nearly always reject the first appearance of a levy on the ballot."</I><BR/><BR/>What they don't get is that we are in a whole different economic environment now. They still *don't get it* precisely because they are out of touch.<BR/><BR/>I think part of it is we are only truly moved by what we personally experience. Government is protected and thus never feels fear.<BR/>A classmate of mine went to Cambodia and saw surreal poverty. He said afterwards: "I'm going to remember those kids forever. It's something that changes you and you don't really understand why."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-79326972231657538602008-07-01T20:23:00.000-04:002008-07-01T20:23:00.000-04:00It seems that as voters become more educated about...It seems that as voters become more educated about funding and expenses, it is having the opposite effect of what the board hoped for. Their approach is really just human nature - follow the path of least resistance. Getting additional funding for out-of-control spending from the residential tax payers has always been the easy path. Working with the city officials on impact fees and recruiting more business to the area paying full school taxes, well that's bucking the Hilliard good old boy network. Cutting expenses, especially by reining in salary growth, well, that would disappoint their best buddies in the HEA, who backed them for election. State funding? Too hard. Up until now, getting as much money as they asked for from the residential taxpayer was easy. NOw, better-informed taxpayers, along with the economic situation, have changed the dynamic. I don't think the Board has realized this yet. We'll see a 9.5 mil levy in November. No discussion, just the threats of cuts. It will fail worse than in March, because most people just cannot afford the additional tax burden. I am certain the Board will say, "we don't know what happened." They own this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-11416491484611784452008-07-01T11:23:00.000-04:002008-07-01T11:23:00.000-04:00If Hilliard plays by the levy passing playbook, th...If Hilliard plays by the levy passing playbook, they will doubtless threaten to cut sports and busing. When they do so, ask them how much out of the total budget do we pay for sports inclusive of pay-to-play and supplemental contracts and ask them the net (after the state pays) costs for transportation. Both numbers should be quite small but have major impacts on the community. Scrutinize the cut list. It will doubtless be politically motivated. Instead of cutting sports, for example, the district could take advantage of the SB311 option that allows athletes to not take gym and then cut gym teachers. There are many options.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-47405696170473400982008-06-30T23:43:00.000-04:002008-06-30T23:43:00.000-04:00Regarding the wealth in DC ... I blogged about tha...Regarding the wealth in DC ... I <A HREF="http://blog.mises.org/archives/007820.asp" REL="nofollow">blogged</A> about that a while ago. <BR/><BR/>The concentration of wealth in our political centers is telling.Jim Fedakohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16380143827895514714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-47128545809755919242008-06-30T21:04:00.000-04:002008-06-30T21:04:00.000-04:00Well said HillirditeOld Hall and Oates song" Out o...Well said Hillirdite<BR/><BR/>Old Hall and Oates song<BR/><BR/>" Out of touch, out of time"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-59694411431755003042008-06-30T17:55:00.000-04:002008-06-30T17:55:00.000-04:00I guess I will restate what has been posted here b...I guess I will restate what has been posted here by others as well - the board figures to wear us down eventually. Dale McVey reinforced that when he practically dismissed out of hand the last rejection with "it's been X number of years since a levy passed on the first attempt". Once again the word 'arrogance" comes to my mind.The board is seriously out-of-touch with the current mind-set of the taxpayers, I'm afraid. Or, they are enjoying their summer vacations?Hillirditehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04502059362611692461noreply@blogger.com