Board of Education budget
Posted March 28th, 2008 by sue_vanderzee
If you could advise the District 13 school administrators where to cut $50,000 extra from their proposed 2008-09 budget, where would you advise them to cut? (See story posted online on March 28 for further details on cuts already made)
Schools to step up residency checks!
I heard that North Haven schools recently had a serious issue with non-residency students illegally using school services at taxpayer’s expense. Now North Haven parents and guardians must show proof of residency by presenting two utility bills, a mortgage statement or lease. Without this proof they won’t be able to register students for the fall. What efforts does Durham have in place to prove residency, if any! At 12K to 13K per student per year it’s worth investigating.
To see the article in the New haven register go to site -
http://www.nhregister.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/BigDaily?_nfpb=true&_pag....
A Tragic End In Sight
By rolling the "needs" in with the "wants," and including improvements sought by a group of sports-minded parents, the proponents of the bonding package have carefully built a nearly unstoppable machine. A coalition of those who would throw ever-more money at the school system (while, it seems, expecting ever-less in return), and those who want an athletic complex, can muster a magic number of votes to get the package approved. They aren't asking whether it's affordable for the taxpayer, or responsible in any large sense. They are intent on getting what they want. While bonding in a package makes sense for many reasons, it does deny taxpayers the ability to set priorities and manage costs. The classic Hobson's choice arises: new roofs are a necessity; new tennis courts are not. But "yes" and "no" are the only choices on the package.
There is an ever- deepening division between those who want what they want, and those who must involintarily pay the bill for those wants. Each year, the tension grows. Each year, greater expense outpaces growth in new sources of tax revenue. Chances at economic development are blithly cast aside. It can only end one way: only the wealthy will survive. What a tragic end for towns with such wonderful middle-class heritages.
A Tragic End In Sight
I quite agree! That's why the nation is 9.2 Trillion dollars in debt and personal Credit Card debt is at an all time high. Because no one asked the questions "Is it affordable" or "Does it make sense". Let us worry about the piper later; not now! I for one will be voting with the only choice the BOE gave me - NO!!! No to the Well, NO to the Roof, to the whole nine yards. Which is sad, because they need the well and roof and a new track but I can't justify the Superintendent continually attitude of "I don't give a hill of beans for the struggling middle class" anymore.
A Tragic End In Sight
Have you walked on the tennis courts? How about the track? Both surfaces are accidents waiting to happen. In case you were not paying attention, the high school is prohibited from hosting track meets because of the condition of the track. That's sad.
Now I don't play tennis and I don't do track but I do think it's important that those who do have a safe environment to do so.
The building committee did a very thorough job in identifing needs versus wants and should be commended for delivering a package that every single resident of Middlefield and Durham can use, regardless of age or fitness level. They did it right and now is the time to see this through.
We Should All Be Driving Volvos
Volvos are better and safer. Many lives could be saved, and life would be more comfortable, if we all drove Volvos. But there are other priorities for most of us, and limited resources with which to meet them. Such is the case with the track and tennis facilities. They are in poor condition, but they are not a mission-critical item where core needs are already being neglected. Nothing seems more uncommon on this issue than common sense. Oh, and why don't we have a pool? Other schools do, and our kinds love to swim as much as they love tennis and running.
We Should All Be Driving Volvos
Good point and I agree mission critical activities should take top priority. Also, I wouldn’t give these parents any new ideas like a new pool! They will want that next year. As a side note, most Volvo drivers are terrible drivers so I would not want to associated with that clan. I often wondered why that is so…so I did some research and someone had an intelligent comment on that: If someone is a lousy driver and always gets into accidents and were to asked an expert what's the safest car I could buy so I don't kill myself - They would say "Buy a Volvo" - Mystery solved. Feel sorry for the car on the other end of the bumper though.
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