Myths about HLWW finances

[LyndaJensen]

HLWW school board members compared notes last Monday about false rumors and discovered there are quite a few myths when it comes to the district and its mail-in operating levy attempt.
Here are some myths circulating:
Myth 1: That the levy is to pay for the operations at the new high school. This is false. The levy will actually help replace an operating levy that expired last fall (which wasn’t renewed by voters), as well as the lease levy for portable classrooms that was allowed to expire.
Myth 2: The district can run levy elections as often as it likes.This is false. The district can run an operating levy once per calendar year.
Myth 3: Special services have not increased over the years. This is incorrect. Special education costs increased 12 percent for 2006-07.

[Citizen]

ok, I'll bite.

I talk to a lot of people about the school. I have never heard any of these ridiculous rumors and find it hard to believe that people in our area are that stupid

[4ourschools]

I don't think people in our area are stupid either, but I have to say that I was absolutely shocked that the operating levy didn't get renewed in November, I assumed that was a given being that the cost is minimal and it is essential for our school-I am new to the area and would have never expected that something like that would not have sailed through, so that was disappointing to me.

[TheBigEasy]

4ourschools: How can you be shocked that the levy didn't pass? A new school built, elementary schools refurbished,
a middle school in dis-repair (But we are sending even more kids there next year). How much is enough? What some
of the people don't understand is that there are people that are really in finacinal difficulty. It is time for the
school to survive or fail on what they have been given. Making cuts is just a way of life, we all have to do it.

[thedog]

What do you mean the mid school is in a dis-repair ??? Do you have an extra 65.00 a year???? thats all it take to pay the increase in taxes for a 100,000 home. $97.00 a year for a 150,000 home........... The money the district is trying to raise is for operations, not fix the middle school operations like Teachers,heat, electric, fuel for the buses, just operating expenses..

[Citizen]

Exactly, Dog,

If others feel the way I do, We are not about to give the district another dime until those who control the money show that they can use it wisely. Perhaps if the schools were properly maintained, they wouldn't be in need of thousands and thousands of dollars in repairs. Remember when we built the big gym? It wasn't that long ago. It was beautiful! Now, well...... not so much. Have you seen the auditorium lately? Ever been to a jr. high basketball tournament there? Usually one of the parents has to sweep the floor beforehand because it hasn't been done. Some are still a bit miffed that the vocal minority were able to push through a new school when they had let the old one's go to hell.

The point here is, IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN, DON'T YOU DARE ASK FOR MORE.

[CheriLynn]

I totally Agree that the once beautiful gym at the middle school looks a tad used and abused. As does the auditorium, halls, ceilings, classrooms. Although I do not agree that is is because those voted into office are not using tax payers money to make the repairs. I feel they have the best interest of our children in mind when they are making decissions.

What is sad is I feel a lot of the run downed, damaged areas are because of multiple sources, primarily students that did not respect the property. Often I have seen students at games throwing wrappers, pop bottles, spilling stuff and not cleaning it up. It is a vicious cycle that can not be blamed solely on one person or group of people. We need to have pride in our school, as students, as parents, as faculty and as a community and that includes respect. Respect for the things we can see and touch but also for the things that happen that we do not see. Like all the hours our school board and concerned parents spend behind the scenes for our children.

Have you seen the bathrooms in the commons area of the middle school? They were redone by students, parents and faculty that had pride in their school and wanted to do something other than sit back and complain! They look great by the way- Go take a look!

So when you are thinking of how you may vote- decide whether it is to make a statement to those that spend the money- or if it is what is best for the children, the school and the communities that it serves.

[Citizen]

I just don't follow the train of thought that voting for more money for the school district automatically equates to "doing what is right for the kids". Yes, it sounds romantic and brings a tear to my eye but, I believe that being an example to the kids far outweighs money. Be an example that you make due with what you have; especially in hard times. You take care of what you have, because it might not get replaced immediately.

Give me a break! I think I'll crack if I hear "Its for the children" one more time.

I think we can drop that line. Everyone in the district wants to do what is right for our children. We just have different ideas of what that is.

[HikingStick]

Has anyone considered that students who have no sense of ownership in their school are less likely to care for it? Have you ever bought your child something--a gift--only to see it neglected or destroyed a short time later? Fast forward a bit to the age when they start earning their own money (I'm not talking allowance here--I'm talking about kids who go an put out some effort to earn some green, whether it be through babysitting, shoveling, raking, paper routes, or dog walking among other things). Have you noticed how two things change: their spending habits and their interest in caring for their things? Once they equate their work with the value that was needed to buy something, they understand how much they had to work to buy that thing.

What sort of odd tangent am I on, you ask? Hold on a minute. I'll get you there.

While kids might not need to earn money to pay for their schools, their parents do. Parents, your kids need to understand that a significant portion of your earnings go toward maintaining and operating our schools. For some kids, that may be enough to get them to think about school a bit differently. It doesn't end there, however.

I think it's too easy for us, as adults, to forget what it was like to be kids. I'm not talking about the free time and the play--I'm referring to the fact that kids can understand a heck of a lot more than most adults are willing to admit. Often, we don't talk to them about more "adult" issues because we were raised to believe it is adult business, none of their business, or that they would never understand. Honestly, I think the kids (perhaps, 5th grade and above) and young adults of our schools could play a significant role in reducing costs, if we are willing to be honest and open with them, and are willing to seek their insights. After all, they are in the schools every day. Don't you think they might be aware of something that could help reduce costs? Sure, they might generate some seemingly crazy or outlandish ideas, but those can be sorted through at a later time. Tap their creativity. Tap their enthusiasm. Tap the fact that no one has yet told them "you can't do it that way" and see what happens.

Bring the kids together and explain that the school's funds are tight. Don't present them with the options so many have already bantered about (but don't deny those options, either, if brought up by the students). Just let them start making suggestions for how the school could save money--both in the short-run and the long run. Simply making them aware of the issues may help them be more conscienscious users of the school's resources. Some of their ideas may surprise you.

[CheriLynn]

Hiking Stick
I love your idea about asking the kids to help and I so agree they could surprise us all! If we are all to be held accountable that includes our youth! Well said.