Response to April 8th article

Another edition of the truth to those uninformed, misinformed or don't wish to be informed. As always, I ask that if you don't agree with me, please check out the truth yourself and then let me know if I am speaking the truth.

These comments and questions were posed in the April 8,2009 article written by Megan Gildow, titled "Northeastern to discuss Bond Issue".


"I am willing to listen to what they propose. It has to be better than the last one. I think it will help our property values and could help the local economy. Anything is better than what is going on around here. I'll be there.
willing 2 listen
8:41 PM, 4/7/2010"


willing 2 listen: thank you for your comment. I feel the original plan was best for kids, however, the new plan we voted on tonight will still benefit kids while reducing the cost about $7 million dollars, keeps a building in South Vienna, retains Kenton Ridge, eliminates the income tax, shortens the bond issue from 37 years to 28 years and will help to stimulate the local economy. If you were at the meeting, you would know that there was very good discussion about the plans that were presented. I feel this is a plan the people can support. I've discussed this with Megan Gildow, news reporter. She will be running an article in tomorrow's paper. Should supply more comments for me to respond to.



"The schools are needed. I plan to vote yes.
Northridge parent
8:50 PM, 4/7/2010"


Northridge parent: thank you for your comment. Appreciate your support.



"How many times do we need to vote NO!!, before it sinks in the school board's thick head!!!!Taking the Economy in to account, very few of us got raises at work this year, and we just can't afford more taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!
What Ever!"


What Ever: thank you for your comment. Believe me, I understand about the economy. My hours have been cut in half for the past 6 months. I had to get a second shift job just to help out. So yes, this board member is very much aware of the economy. This board member is also aware of the value of his property, the value I put on education, and the value of what educated kids will bring back to the community. I don't know of very many people who can afford more taxes, but can you afford to let your schools continue to deteriorate? Can you afford to let your children continue to be behind in technology? Can you afford to have your property values continue to drop due to the condition of our schools? Will the cost of about $250 a year for a $100 thousand home be more than these things are worth to you? Only you can answer that.



"what ever! I haven't had a raise in 4 years, but I'm willing to bet on an increase in property values, hope for jobs and better schools for our kids. I'll find the $ by giving up a little more. It isn't about me, me, me. It's about our future.
willing 2 listen
10:28 PM, 4/7/2010"


willing 2 listen: thank you for your comment. No raise in four years is not uncommon in this economy, depending on the industry you work. But being willing to find a dollor here and there to properly educate kids is what it will take. You are correct...it is not about me, me, me. It is about the future of our kids, our propery values, our community and our very way of life.



"NO way NO how!!! I will vote for this until the board and admin have correctly done their jobs. Schools are for education not to have all of the extras they think THEY need. Always remember WANT= the extras in life, NEED = Roof over your head, HAVE TO HAVE = Food for the family. NO means NO to NEW taxes!!!!
Don"


Don: thank you for your comment. I wish you could define my job so I can do it properly. We educate children very well in this district. We can do even better with the technology that tomorrow's market place will demand.



"higher taxes will not bring new jobs.thats basic math.we can not aford this so take care of what we have. the school board should making plans to make repairs while school is out.
math
11:09 PM, 4/7/2010"

math: thank you for your comment. You are correct that higher taxes will not bring new jobs. What we are after is keeping our kids in the area by providing a better education. Better educated kids will draw companies to the area because there is a source of workers (not necessarily manufacturing). Now kids are leaving the area because there are few jobs. Education brings business to the communities. You will be surprised to know that we do much of our maintenance, painting, etc. starting when school is out and continue it up to the time of opening day in August. Even more surprisingly, we use prisoners from London Correctional Institution to do much of the labor at South Vienna school. That sounds somewhat being fiscally responsible. Are you saying that if your home is valued at $100 thousand dollars, you cannot find $250 a year? That's less than a dollar a day to provide quality facilities and educational opportunities for the children in our district.



"TO THE BOARD OF NORTHEASTERN SCHOOLS - ARE YOU IDIOTS! How many times do WE THE PEOPLE have to say NO!!!? Regardless of state funds - WE THE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS AND/OR THE JOBS to pay 59% of new buildings. Maybe if the state paid 100% and we had to pay upkeep - wait - NE board doesn't do upkeep and repair - they just let it fall to the ground and want a new building to destroy! NO NEW TAXES! Yes to a NEW BOARD!!
wake up alreade
5:50 AM, 4/8/2010"


wake up alreade: thank you for your comment, I think. First question....no. Second question...as long as there is a need and an opportunity. You will have to look at this website to understand the concept of need and opporunity. Do "WE THE PEOPLE" have the funds to pay 100% of constructing new buildings if this opportunity is missed? When one of these old buildings become a health hazard and the CCCHD (Clark County Combined Health District) decides to close a building because it is physically unhealthy for children, will you be willing to pay 100% of the cost? Or possibly place children into split sessions with other schools? That is your choice. I know I would rather pay 59% than 100%...simple math. Interesting about a new board. Why didn't you run for school board last fall? The opportunity was there. We had three vacancies and only three people ran. Maybe next time...right?



"Where did the money go two years ago when the property values were re-appraised? My real estate taxes went up 800 dollars in one year and the schools got most of that money which four times what you are asking for now,,all in just a few years,,this is one of the problems.
bill
6:32 AM, 4/8/2010"


bill: thank you for your comment. Good question. This is one of the problems schools encounter with the current school funding system in Ohio. Without going into a long boring explanation, let me say that when you vote on a levy, you vote for a certain amount of $ which is based on the valuation of your property. If property values rise, schools do not get more money. If property values decline, schools do not get less money. Schools are the only thing that property taxes go toward. Yes, they are the majority, but there is also, MRDD, roads, fire and emergency levies, and other agencies who are supported by property taxes. Unfortunately, schools are the only levies that people reject...and they are the one entity that directly affects your property values! I would encourage you to sit down with our District Treasurer or the County Auditor and have them explain the process. It will help you to better understand the situation schools are facing today.



"ABSOLUTELY NO MORE MONEY! How many times does it take for you to get that we do not support this bond issue.
NE Resident
6:51 AM, 4/8/2010"


NE Resident: thank you for your comment. I really cannot tell you how many times, I only know that there is a need for new buildings. At some point we will have to do something and at that point "we" will be paying 100% of the cost. You can support your schools now or later.



"In this economy with many homes in the district being foreclosed where is the money coming from?? Wake up. We need financial responisbility from the board. Do like the voters make do, repair, reuse and recyle. Concentrate on using what we have instead of dreams. Learn from what happened to the city schools.
disgusted taxpayer
7:28 AM, 4/8/2010"


disgusted taxpayer: thank you for your comment. I'm a little confused by the statement "learn from what happened to the city schools"? What happened that we should learn from? New schools will draw people to the district. New schools will increase residents property values. New schools will bring badly needed technology to our children. New schools will bring business to the area. Getting new schools at a cost of 59% is pretty good fiscal responsibility in my book.



"It will be interesting to see if the board will actually allow negative comments to be provided or if they only want people to speak who support whatever they want at this meeting. I'm also interested to see if they come to the table with a plan that meets the tax payer in the middle. In every process there is give and take and at this point, the board is not giving only taking.
Meet in the middle
8:27 AM, 4/8/2010"


Meet in the middle: thank you for your comment. First, the board has never silenced anyone from speaking at a board meeting. As President, I have never stifled anyone nor do I intend to start. I did reprimand an gentleman from swearing at a board meeting where we had students and ladies, but we have never disallowed any negative comments. If you attended tonight's meeting, I think you would agree that we listened to the people and responded to their concerns. What we heard was that (1). they wanted to keep the school in South Vienns, (2). they didtn't want to tear down Kenton Ridge building, (3). they didn't want an income tax, and (4). they didn't want a bond issue for 37 yesrs. Our plan responds favorably to these objections. We definately listened and heard and responded.



"I am sympathetic to the financial problems a lot of people are having, I am one of those people, but I don't see the need for calling people idiots and being hateful. Considering a majority of students have cell phones, Vera Bradley bags, name brand clothes, the latest video games, laptops, and the list goes on, I don't think people are as bad off as they say. I think it boils down to the fact that we have lost sight of what is important. We need to prioritize and yes make some sacrifices.
Parent who cares
8:57 AM, 4/8/2010"


Parent who cares: thank you for your comment. Well put. Thank you.



"Can't wait until August.

For the Levy

Against the Levy XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Drive it home"


Drive it home: thank you for your comment. I can't either.



"Well I guess for the uneducated,I will define it and not reply with apersonal attack(give it a rest)lol(that's what i'm trying to say!) The definition of insanity is to keep repeating the same process and expect a different result!Thus "no means no"
enough.2.0
9:22 AM, 4/8/2010"


enough.2.0: thank you for your comment. You are correct with the definition of insanity, however, we are putting a different plan in place. A plan that responds to what the people have stated they were against. I have covered these issues in a previous response.



"Whole office full of "no's". We thought it would save time if we combined our 8 no's in one statement.
Office full of no votes
10:19 AM, 4/8/2010"


Office full of no votes: thank you for your comment. Sorry to hear this. Hopefully you can ask some important questions that I can respond to as to why you are voting no.



"no means no... fix what you got!!!! I for one am not giving one more dime to the schools. New schools does not educate a child.. a teacher and parents educate a child. Take some of this energy and waste that you are doing to get a levy passed and use it to better educate the children. We were taught in one room school houses and are very educated. Pay for your own kids!!!! I dont think it is everyones responsibility to pay for your choice to have kids.
enough
10:54 AM, 4/8/2010"


enough: thank you for your comment. Sorry to tell you this, but if you were educated in a one-room school house, you couldn't hold a candle to what is being taught in schools today. We don't have the jobs anymore that required a "one room school house" education. Those have all gone to Mexico, Canada, China, etc. My grandparents paid for my education, I am paying for other children's education and the beat goes on. Thats the way it has been done and that's the way is being done. As long as you enjoy the benefits of good schools, that is strong property values, then you have an obligation to keep those schools strong. That's my view.



"I agree with no means no.. I also agree with the thought of the kids having the lastest video games, vera bradley, name brand clothes, but my kids don't, they wear second hand clothes, we go to the library for books and movies and we shop the thrift stores. So I really dont have any more sacrifices to make, or my kids won't eat.
Cindy
11:19 AM, 4/8/2010"


Cindy: thank you for your comment. We have our priorities. I'm not one to tell someone how to spend their money. I would rather someone be honest with me, like you are, than to complain about having to support their schools.



"If they place another issue on the ballot in August it may not be exactly the same as the last two. However the bottom line for the taxpayer is exactly the same, MORE TAXES. Do understand that is why we are voting no, and that isn't going to change in 4 months. The board is just wasting more of our money that they could be putting to better use. If they were listening to the voters, they would already have received the message. NO NEW SCHOOLS, NO MORE TAXES. BOTTOM LINE.
NE Resident
12:09 PM, 4/8/2010"


NE Resident: thank you for your comment. The plans we proposed last night were in response to what people were telling us as to why they voted no. Yes, some were due to the economy, however, these people also knew that the economic situation was a short lived issue and that eventually our economy would come back. Others blaming the economy are living in the past in a negative environment knowing the economy will never come back and are taking the opportunity to complain rather than do something about the economy. Our plan that was voted on is different than before. If you would have attended any of the many meetings we've had and brought your concerns to the meeting, you would better understand why we are doing what we are doing.



"Pay now for new schools with the help of the state giving Northeastern money or pay for old schools later without the help of the state. Common sense says pay with the help of state money. We will be paying later for old schools who need new roofs, pipes, windows, safety measurements to meet state standards! I'm no idiot! I think that I will pay for new schools.
Smarter than most
12:22 PM, 4/8/2010"


Smarter than most: thank you for your comment. Yes, you are. You must have attended some of the meetings, or asked questions, or did your own research, or used common sense, or all of the above. Thank you.



"I don't understand why people don't get that you can pay $41 M less now - or pay for all of it later. It is ridiculous to say buildings don't matter. The best teachers are not going to teach at SV if they can get a job at Tecumseh or NW. Some may truly suffer if taxes are raised but if you're fortunate enough to own property, chances are you can afford to support your schools. If you're just plain self centered - admit it. Living in a poorly educated community may work well for you.
beyond fursteration
12:43 PM, 4/8/2010"


beyond fursteration: thank you for your comment. Very well stated. Too bad we have too many people who are "me, me, me" rather than "we".



"First, end open enrollment.

Second, pay cuts for everyone making over 60 or 70k/yr. (theres alot of them)

Third, end all Sports and extracurricular programs.

Then come ask us for more money for *education*.
TellyouastoryboutamannamedNO
2:09 PM, 4/8/2010"


TellyouastoryboutamannanedNO: thank you for your comment. I am writing a blog post on open enrollment. Hopefully you will read it and then understand why it is important for education to maintain open enrollment. Please ask about it to understand it and then make your comment. I wrote an article on teachers pay. In the article I suggested paying our teachers $4 an hour for teaching children. Would you settle for that? Read the article and then tell me to cut salaries. As far as ending sports and extra curricular activities, again you need to get the facts. This would financially devastate the district by having many of our students leave through open enrollment and take with them %5780. If we cut sports and 50% (roughly 500 kids) of the students who participate in sports left, we would loose nearly $3,000,000. Guess where we would have to get that from in order to maintain education?



"For those of you who think that the children aren't in need the newest technology to learn, I am sorry to say I think you are mistaken. I do understand that years ago we had a lot less and learned just fine. But you have to realize it is a very different world we live in today. Technology is everything. We are only holding our chilren back from learning. Also, I have to agree that I see a lot of children with the "material" things around the area. We can afford those and many more. I vote YES!!
A Northridge Parent/Supporter
3:08 PM, 4/8/2010"


A Northridge Parent/Supporter: thank you for your comment. Also, thank you for your support. Well stated.



"It is amazing how many people do not realize that any school district can obtain only so much money on a levy. It does not matter how many homes there are, or how many more homes there are. If, for example, if a levy is to raise a million dollars, that is all it can raise ... does not matter if there are a hundred new homes. If there a hundre new homes then that million generated by the levy would mean a lesser amount on each home. Should have learned that in civics lessons.
JRF on the right
4:57 PM, 4/8/2010"


JRF on the right: thank you for your comment. Funny, I learned this also in Civics Class in 1965 at Northeastern as a Senior. You are absolutely correct. The more homes, the less each home has to share for schools.



"TellyouastoryboutamannamedNO,
"First, end open enrollment" Do you mean end open enrollment for all districts or only in NE local? If you mean only for NE local, then you would be shooting yourself in the foot. You may prevent students from coming to NE, but you wouldn't prevent students from leaving to go to another district and when they leave, the money follows. As a result the district would lose close to $700,000 a year - they had about 117 kids this past year go to another district.
JC
5:29 PM, 4/8/2010"


JC: thank you for your comment....also thank you for responding to many of these uninformed people. You obviously have done your homework, attended meetings, asked questions and understand what is happening. Thank you. One point is that if we don't recover the $700,000 we lose to open enrollment, we would have to get rid of 14 teachers. See what happens when people start complaining about larger classrooms, lack of AP and other advanced programs, etc.



"I have to make one more comment. I sub in a number of districts in this county. And if there is any district that needs new facilities it is NELSD. I wonder if the people complaining have actually been in South Vienna Elementary. I wonder if they have actually seen all of Northeastern High School. Yes the teachers do a terrific job, but these buildings are not up to date with what it takes to prepare students for TODAY's world. There IS at need for new, not repair, in NELSD.
JRF on the right"


JRF on the right: thank you for your comment. You are correct that people who complain have never been in our buildings, or else they would not be making the comments they are making.