your comments responded to: part 3

There are a lot of comments to get through, so this posting is another group from Megan Gildow's article of February 26, 2010 titled: "Northeastern has 'energizing' debate about bond issue failures"


"Comment to 2 high schools:

Kenton Ridge was built in the mid 1970s. I don't understand why there is still "ill will" after 35 years of having two high schools in the district.

What are kids at NEHS getting that KR kids aren't getting and vice versa? Are the course offerings the same? Are the facilities comparable (other than the fact that one is older). Are the extracurriculars the same? How are the needs of the kids in each school different?

Have these questions been addressed?"
Northridge parent
11:46 AM, 2/26/2010
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Northridge Parent: thank you for your comment. First, there isn't any ill-will about 2 high schools as far as I have seen. The vast majority of residents said they want to retain 2 high schools.

To respond to your next question, the 2 high schools have similar curriculum for the core courses. NE has Vo-Ag whereas KR does not, however this is more of a community issue, in that NE has had Vo-Ag since the 50's and is more culturally suited to the NE side. KR, on the other hand has larger foreign language classes conducive to that school. There are two distinct cultures in the district, each school catering to their communities culture. This is not a bad thing. It is what makes our district available and desirable to others. We have had students for NE go to KR, and vice versa. The students found that for all the differences, there were many similarities. This can be discussed in great length and encourage you to talk with us at a board or community meeting.




"Why do we all act like we know more than those directly involved in this? I am sure they have done countless hours of research. We all are just assuming we know best and we don't. Tell me why the board members would do this for any other reason than to improve the district for the children? What is in it for them? People generally have goodwill."
ktl
11:51 AM, 2/26/2010
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ktl: Thank you for your comment. FYI, there has been a lot of time, effort, reading, listening, traveling, discussion, arguing, compromising and hard work going through this entire process. As board members we have a responsibility to the voters to do the best for the education of their kids. None of us on the board have kids in school, so we will not benefit from that. Each of us are truly concerned for the district and want to do the best with no regard to personal gains.



"where was my DVD? I surely didn't receive one? I have two students there. I have been to the schools, They don't appear to be caving in on top of them. Children are spoiled, they want schools like they have in "high school musical" and "twilight". Sorry, that's not reality and I will always vote NO NO NO!"
hey john
11:52 AM, 2/26/2010
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hey john: thank you for your comment. Every student was given a DVD to take home. No...schools aren't caving in on top of them.....yet. I hope that we, the board, will shut the building down long before that happens. You may remember Moorfield school?



"I guess no one would like to comment about the money that was taken from taxpayers for school repairs on the past levy that basically you now are saying was of no use. Will we get the money from that levy back if the new one is approved? I think not. Then once the schools are built you can come and ask for more for operating costs. Not everyone is financially stable these days!"
ezd
11:52 AM, 2/26/2010
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ezd: thank you again for your comment. I will gladly reply to your question and comment.

The last levy, a 1 mill Continuous Permanent Improvement Levy was approved in November of 2007 for two purposes; (1). the Ohio School Facilities Commission requires a school district to have a .5 (or 1/2) mill Continuous Improvement Levy on the books before they will approve any funds for projects in the district. This is required in order to maintain the new buildings. (2). the other .5 (or 1/2) mill was put on in case the levy for new schools didn't pass, therefore there would be additional minimal funding to maintain our current buildings. As you know our current buildings are old and the equipment and infrastructure is likewise old and outdated. When there is a repair, it generally requires a part to be fabricated or the entire equipment replaced.

Your third point, yes, at some point in time we will be coming for operating expenses. As inflation causes the price of things to rise, more money will be needed to operate our schools.

I hope this answers your questions, I hope you read the response.