We're midway through the second week of school and already I am two weeks behind in updating my blog. I apologize to the many of you who have visited and been disappointed to find this has not been updated. My goal is to blog weekly and I am committed to trying to achieve that goal.
We had a fantastic start to the school year. Our first day began with the LINK program providing an orientation to our incoming freshmen. That went very well and we are hoping to continue that positive beginning as we go throughout the year. We ended the week with a pep fest last Friday. I was very pleased with the response from students and staff and feel we are continuing the tradition of ROCKET PRIDE. The staff and students deserve a hand for getting us off on the right foot toward the best year ever!
I was reading the StarTribune on Sunday and was disappointed to see the headline on the front page regarding a story about school districts proposing levies to their voters this fall. The headline suggested that "many voters" feel school districts are "crying wolf" when they are suggesting massive cuts if voters don't approve districts' requests for excess levies. In reading the article I found one person quoted who felt this way. To me, one person is not "many". Not only was there only one person, but that person was David Strom. David Strom is the former director of the Minnesota Taxpayers League, a group opposed to most taxes, and is currently a radio talk show host. David Strom is not an education finance expert. David Strom does not know the specific needs of the districts highlighted in this article. David Strom, in my opinion, is not relevant to this discussion and I was disappointed that his opinion was used to suggest that these districts might not have the needs they claim.
All the voters in those districts need to do to find out for themselves whether or not the need is real is to take a look at the information available to them. Each year school districts have financial audits. The results of those audits are public information. Take a look at how the district spent its money and decide for yourselves whether or not the district is "crying wolf". Don't let some radio talk show host with no knowledge of the situation decide for you.
If education finance is of interest to you, I would suggest you visit the website of a group called P.S. Minnesota. This group would like to see a change in the framework for the way education is funded. The website is: www.psminnesota.org
Rockford does not have plans to ask voters for a levy increase this fall. It is my understanding that the board is considering that option for 2008. I urge you to use this year to educate yourselves on the needs of the Rockford district so you can make an informed choice next fall.
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Hi!
Being the aforementioned David Strom, I thought I would throw in my $.02 here.
I am always very careful to avoid generalizing about School Levy Referendums, as each of them is unique. For instance, the Taxpayers League of Minnesota essentially supported the Spring Lake Park referendum (we cannot endorse such proposals specifically, but we sent a letter to supporters in the region explaining that the Superintendent had done an excellent job justifying his decision to ask for additional funds).
It is my experience that many school administrators and referendum boosters use propaganda and intimidation to push their agenda, and I shared that experience with the reporter I spoke to. However, public schools are not uniform in their quality, efficiency, or needs. Hence I think it is ridiculous to present a one-size fits all comment about them.
I also shared that thought with the reporter I spoke to. It seems to me that some schools do an excellent job, others mediocre, and yet others should be closed entirely. It is the monopoly aspect of the public school system that I object to, not any specific level of funding.
Unfortunately, the current funding structure makes it difficult for students to be the focus of the education system, instead of the system itself. We are always funding districts and schools, when we should be funding students and educational achievements.
Kudos to you for having a blog!
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