Response to Article on the Northeastern plan

Boy, the comments came fast and furious this morning. I don't think Megan's computer was cooled down before the "no birds" started. It was like they couldn't wait for the opportunity to see the headline with the word "Northeastern" in it.

Anyway here are my responses to the comments from the article titled "Northeastern offers revamped building plan". Due to the number of comments and some of the "stinkin thinkin'" we are reading, I will respond to those that are different in nature and content.

As always, I ask you not to take my word as the truth. Check out for yourself what I am saying to assure I am telling the truth.




"How hard is "NO" to understand??? Maybe you board members should clean out your ears. Just because someone is dangling money in front of your nose does NOT MEAN IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO TAKE IT. Look at SPFLD TWSHP TRUSTEES they know whne the time IS NOT RIGHT - YOU COULD LEARN A THING OR TWO FROM THEM IF YOU BOTHERED TO CLEAN OUT YOUR EARS AND THINK!!!
no more taxes
6:25 AM, 4/9/2010"


no more taxes: thank you for your comment. First, when someone "dangles" any money in front of me to build new schools and it is tax free, I will take every opportunity to try to get new schools for our kids. It is easy to sit in the "cheap seats" and criticize the actions of those responsible for your children's education, and when the education diminishes, those are the ones who will scream loudest because they haven't cleaned their brains.



"Just a little secret for all you "No" voters: this issue will mysteriously pass next time around...no matter how many 'no' votes it gets. Things like these have a way of working themselves out. Just wait and see.
Hahaha!!
6:47 AM, 4/9/2010"


Hahaha!!: thank you for your comment...I think. Don't understand how it would pass if there are more no votes than yes votes. Guess it has to do with "things working themselves out"?



"I find it odd that yesterday K.R. is not good a enough building to keep, but today, it is!! What else are you NOT telling the tax payers!!
Vote NO
6:52 AM, 4/9/2010"


Vote NO: thank you for your comment. If you had been to the meeting last night, you would have learned how this came about. The OSFC changed their standards after many school districts were experiencing similar complaints about having buildings, that appeared to be in decent shape, torn down. This standard was changed after we had commited to the original plan and had the OSFC commit to us for total demolition and rebuilding. At the time, we could not change in the middle of the stream. The OSFC has changed their standard from a "mandate" to a "recommendation".



"If the levy mysteriously passes in August then the NO VOTERS should all get together and have it put back on the ballot in November to be revoked. If the school district can keep putting it back on the ballot then the voters should be able to do the same thing. KEEP VOTING NO EVERYONE. NO MORE TAXES!
NE Resident
7:05 AM, 4/9/2010"


NE Resident: thank you for your comment. I guess you can do this, at your expense. But I don't know why you would want to "short change" the children?



"1. Higher tax millage to eliminate the income tax , not sneaky at all!
2. Still way to expensive
3. Still NO money for better education
4. Still NO money for all the technology they promise computers,smart boards,etc
5. Still NO answers on additional upkeep costs - you dont suppose they will ask for more, you know they will ?
6. How are Graham and many other district's budgets doing after they built news schools ??
how stupid do they think we r"


how stupid do they think we r: thank you for your comment. Too expensive? I this fails and we get no help from the OSFC, wait until we have to build new schools in the future while paying 100% of the cost. It is your choice at the ballot box. No money for better education? Have you contacted your State Representative about fixing school funding? I have, and I do it regularly. Where did you get the information about technology? We will have the technology, we don't have the infra-structure to put technology in now. (6), go ask them. Talk with a teacher, or a student, or a parent.



"NO NO NO NO the school board is not listening re-election is not in your future nor is getting your money for schools we don't want or need. If you want new schools fund it through a sales tax/income tax where non poperty owners do not carry the whole burden. Think before you get your new offices, stop double dipping, do as your taxpayers do reduce, reuse, and recycle.
disgruntled taxpayer
7:48 AM, 4/9/2010"


disgruntled taxpayer: thank you for your comment. First, let me assure you that re-election is the least of a board members concern. This is not a high paying job that many believe it is. It is an important responsibility. I will be looking for your name on the ballot in 2011 (next time board members will be up for election). I was surprised that it wasn't on the ballot in 2009 since there were 3 positions open and no one run against the incumbents. Secondly, board members do not have offices in the district. We have other jobs. Mine, for instance, is one that my hours have been reduced by 50% for the past 6 months due to the economy. It is only in the last week that they have been reinstated. As far as funding new schools through sales and income tax, these taxes would be so high that even you would not support. You really need to get the facts about "double dipping". We save the district a lot of money.



"I don't like the idea of middle school students mixing with high school students, particularly when girls mature much more quickly than boys. I would definitely rethink that plan.
Northridge resident
7:57 AM, 4/9/2010"


Northridge resident: thank you for your comment. This is one of the best comments. I agree with your concern. This was discussed in our meetings and sessions when putting the plans together. At the meeting last night, it was discussed. The buildings will be constructed in separate "wings", one for 9-12 (high school) and one for 6-8 (middle school). There would be no time that the two schools would co-mingle. It is a great opportunity to better utilize our staff and faculty more effectively and effieciently. There was a lot of thought and discussion before this plan was submitted as a proposal. But I share your concern and understand your feelings.



"It is still"NO". Where is the money that was to go to repairs of the schools that we are paying for now. I WILL NOT PAY MORE PROPERTY TAXES!!!! I did not have kids as I could not afford them, I am not paying for someone elses kid when they already have a school. A new school does not educate a child, a parent and a teacher educate a child.The elderly cannot afford higher taxes!they have medication to pay for and if comes to medication or a school, my vote is to let the elderly have their meds!
enough already
7:59 AM, 4/9/2010"


enough already: thank you for your comment. First, as a resident of this district, you are enjoying the benefits of strong property values thanks to the schools we have, however, the shape our buildings are in is not as much a result of maintainence as it is age and deterioration. Schools drive up or down your property value. It is your choice to live in the district, you also have a choice to allow your property to increase in value or de-value. Remember, you have a choice, you don't have the choice of the consequences.



"First it was a one time vote and the buildings wern't worth repairing. Now were comming up on third vote with repairsand its open ended.The NELSB scaming you with an old grifter trick.ITS STILL NO NO NO.
scam
8:30 AM, 4/9/2010"


scam: thank you for your comment. I take this personally. This board does not scam anyone. We have ethics and live by them. I would like for you to explain what a "grifter trick"is.



"I can honestly say based on the comments on here I am ashamed to tell anyone what school my kids attend. I hope the kids arent reading these comments! You may not have had kids because you couldnt afford them well what about the people that paid taxes so you could attend school? That is just the way it works, you pay taxes in this world. Thats like saying your not going to pay anymore taxes if they are going to use it to redo a particular road just because you dont drive on it, ITS PART OF LIFE!
sv mom
8:13 AM, 4/9/2010"


sv mom: thank you for your comment. I agree 100% with you. I am embarrassed by the spelling, sentence structure, and dialogue being used. Other people read these comments and must wonder if these are the levels of education we have in our district, I surely do not want to live there. People will vote for road levies, emergency and fire levies, MRDD levies, and other levies that have little or no effect on their property values. But when it comes to schools, that directly effect your property values, the answer is No, no, no.



"Until the NELSD CUTS the FAT/EXTRAS the answer will be NO!!! Am I to understand next year they will start all day kindergarten, who is paying the cost for this. Why don't you just say we are opening half day daycare. A lot of us have taken 10% pay cuts to help keep our companies open. Several groups of people are giving up hours or days of work to keep companies and government offices open. NELSD thinks they need this now, NO WAY NO HOW. Do as the rest of us CUT THE FAT/EXTRAS. NO new taxes.
Don
9:01 AM, 4/9/2010"


Don; thank you for your comment. All day kindergarten is being mandated by the State of Ohio. Your beef is with the Legislature on this one. If I'm going to put my child in a day care, who would I want them to be with other than a teacher? Unlike your 10% pay cut, I have experienced a 50% pay cut. Don't come crying to me.



"Vote No, with all the forclosures already, if this levy passes and now there is more forclosures because of the property tax increase,now you won't get any money,with this economy who is going to buy that house, we don't need new schools or higher taxes,the vote from me will still be NO NO NO!!!!!!!!
NO!
9:07 AM, 4/9/2010"


NO!: thank you for your comment. If an increase of $250 a year is going to cause a foreclosure on homes, the person is in dire straits. You have obviously not been in South Vienna, Northeastern, Northridge or Rolling Hills buildings. If you had, you would see the shape these buildings are in. I invite you to take a look and then make your comment.



"If you want to complain about the addition of all day kindergarten you should take those complaints to the wonderful governor of Ohio. That was part of Strickland's master plan and the districts are now forced to comply with it even if there is no funding available to them. Don't blame that on the schoolboard and punish these kids for something they have nothing to do with.
CC
9:10 AM, 4/9/2010"

CC: thank you for your comment. Well said.



"It is still no...You parents should pay for your child to go to school... and lets see did the "NEW" school help Springfield City... NOPE sure did not. They are still low on the pole so I don't believe new schools are going to make your kids any smarter. Lets try another way to pay instead of penalizing the home owner. I will not go farther in debt to pay for your kids new school. Let the non homeowners pay for a change also. More forclosures, less money!
enough already
9:30 AM, 4/9/2010"


enough already: thank you for your comment. When was the last time you contacted your Legislator about how schools are funded? This is the group who has caused the way our schools are funded. As for the city schools, they have improved as a result of many things, one of which is their new schools.



"Just because I am a homeowner why should we pay all the taxes and people who don't own property don't have to pay.Take a look at all the kids that live in the campgrounds do there parents pay? No..Everyone needs to pay there fair share but not to the point you are going to lose your home and no food or medicine.The senor citizens have paid there share for years,now it's time we can stop.I always voted yes but now the vote is NO NO....
needs to stop
9:47 AM, 4/9/2010"


needs to stop: thank you for your comment. First, schools are funded in Ohio based partially on property taxes. This is an issue that you and all residents need to address with your state legislator. As the Legislative Liaison to the State Legislature for our school district, this is a standard issue I address to them regularly. But until people send letters, make calls, stand up at public meetings with the legislators, nothing will be done. As a senior citizen, I share your feelings because I am one also. Howeve, I choose to live in this district because our schools have provided me strong property value and I don't want to lose that. You have also chosen to live in this district and enjoy your property valuation. It is your choice to choose at the ballot box, but remember "elections have consequences".



"I'm just amazed at how the ignorance regarding school funding in the NELSD hasn't changed in 30 years. These "no" voters are as ignorant as their parents were. You complain the current schools weren't maintained, yet you never gave the schools money to perform that maintenance. The only money you have approved since 1980 is the bare minimum to operate the schools and to put a couple new roofs on. And you wonder why your property values never rose like the rest of the country.
RichmondScott
9:53 AM, 4/9/2010"


RichmondScott: thank you for your comment. Well said.



"$250 over a year for your $100k home - that's $20 a month, people - about $5 per week. Is that really enough to be so rude and nasty about? Did you ever consider that taxes are a fact of life and someone paid taxes so you could go to public school? Welcome to adulthood.

Our community's children WILL see success this time. They are our future and they are worth far more than that $5 per week!
really
9:58 AM, 4/9/2010"


really: thank you for your comment. Ohio's current school funding system is the most antiquated and unfair system in the country. It has been deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court 3 times, yet the Legislature has done nothing to fix it except throw our hard earned tax dollars to bad school systems. To me, that is insanity. I agree with you. Rather than throw darts at those who are trying to provide a quality education within the parameters of the funding system, they should be using the energy to work with the boards of education in advocating the Legislature to fix the system.



"My vote will still be NO..Where is the savings on the re-design..Is the $250.00 per $100,000.00 suppose to make me feel better? Do you really think anyone can afford to pay more taxes. Come on. Maybe some of you can afford an additional $500-$1000 extra a year in property tax, I for one can not. There will be more and more people moving out of the district and then you folks that vote yes, can take up the slack, we will see how devoted you are to the kids then.
Cindy
10:08 AM, 4/9/2010"


Cindy: thank you for your comment. The original plan was for a total of $111 million for all new schools. This plan will be $104 million. That is a savings of $7 million by doing the re-design of KR and the re-configuration of the elementary and middle school facilities with the high schools . I realize we are talking $250 a year, however, it needs to be looked at in increments. The more people who will be moving into our district to take advantage of our schools will lower the taxes on homes and will increase property values.



"JC. If u have a leak u call a plumber to fix it.Thats basic common sense and logic, plus it saves on further repairs, good math.This levy is nothing more than putting more lipstic on a pig. its sill a pig.NELSB is trying to get u to pay for there shortcomings instead of fixing the real problem.Therefore its a SCAM. VOTE NO NO NO NO
scam
10:39 AM, 4/9/2010"


scam: thank you for your comment. I would like to have you discuss the "scam" concept to the board and to the public. I don't understand what you are saying. The statement is getting many riled up without any concrete evidence of a scam. Please help me to understand.



"Facts? You want facts? Fact 1- They increased the mills for Less time. Now instead of $100/ $100,000 home it is $250 per. That is going to cost me even more per year. I am already paying $3000 per year in tax, my additional will be $250 per which will cost me an additional $600 per year. Fact 2- Will they assure us that no operations levy will be added in the next 5 years? I guarentee an operational levy is already in the works. Fact 3 - What about the .25% income tax? Sorry... Can't do it.
Pauly
11:03 AM, 4/9/2010"


Pauly: thank you for your comment. Sir, you need to get your facts together.
FACT 1: the original plan was a 7.54 mills for 37 years. The cost for a $100 thousand home would have been about $325 per year. FACT 2: The board never said there would not be an operating levy in the next 5 years. We said we had the operation funding for a couple of years, however as long as inflation continued to drive up the cost of fuel, food, books, paper and other things used in education, homes, workplaces, etc. there will be a need for additional operating funds. The time frame of 5 years was never mentioned. Our budget for the district is made out over a period of 5 years as dictated by the Ohio General Assembly, however, they only have a 2 year budget. Go figure. By the way, we are not considering any Operational Levy at this time.
FACT 3: There is no .25% income tax. You need to ask the questions before engaging your keyboard.



"I don't understand what it is that people don't understand. We can't afford more taxes. It might only be $20 a month to you, but that is a lot to me. And what it's $20 now, then another $20-40 later. I'm sick and tired of them come at us for more money, when does it ever end. People just can't afford to pay out more money. Gas & Grocery prices keep going up and those are things that we can't do without. My child went to Northeastern so I know the schools aren't that bad. VOTE NO!!!!!!!!
NE Resident
11:07 AM, 4/9/2010"


NE Resident: thank you for your comment. Good question..."when does it ever end". Answer: when the people of the State of Ohio get the courage to face their legislators and demand they fix the school funding issue without throwing more money to it. That's when the current system will end.



"JC, that is exactly what I'm talking about, property values will surely go down, because there will be many more foreclosures in this area. As for the person asking about Graham School District, they are putting an operating levy on the ballot this year, because with all they got with the new schools, it still isn't enough, it will never be enough anywhere. For you folks that have the money to pay extra, I suggest if you don't like it, put your child in private schools and pay like you want...
Cindy
11:28 AM, 4/9/2010"


Cindy: thank you again for your comment. Yes, property values will go down as a result of foreclosures, but mainly because of schools. People will not want to move into the district if the schools are bad. Look at Tecumseh school district, the property valuation is increasing as a result of their new schools, yet they are still in the same economy we are. Watch what will happen in Northwestern school district when they get their new buildings built. Dropping property values will not be caused by foreclosures any more than a good economy will drive property values up. Even in a good economy, the state of our schools will be the major factor in property valuation.



"Voters haven't agreed to anything yet, but did you catch this in the article?!
" Architects are working to determine if the addition would be for 6th through 8th grade or 9th through 12th."

Voters haven't said yes to anything. Are they paying these architects? If so, why? and with what money?
Listening vs Hearing
12:40 PM, 4/9/2010"


Listening vs Hearing: thank you for your comment. Yes, our architects are working on looking at determining if KR would be a 6-8 or 9-12. There is no money being expended to them since they already have the data needed. Our architects have built many schools throughout Ohio and are very knowledgeable of school construction and configuration. No money is being expended until the people approve the bond issue and the people tell us what they want in buildings.



"Listening,
Actually that was something mentioned last night about deciding if the remodeled KR would be 6-8 or 9-12 and if I remember correctly they said they didn't want to pay a architect to come up with plans yet until the levy passed since it would be expensive to have those types of plans drawn up. Plus then talked about having community input to decide if KR would be the middle school or H.S. I could be wrong and maybe Mr. Kadel blog can clarify.
JC
4:50 PM, 4/9/2010"



JC: thank you for your comment and for the responses you have given to many of the comments posted here. As stated previously, our architects have many building plans in their "inventory" of building designs. They specialize in school bulding design and are one of the best in the state. It has been estimated the cost to develop a school design is in the $100,000 range (way out of our budget without public input). Once the bond issue passes, we will begin the process of designing our buildings with the public's input.



"Here's the thing. The loan Northeastern is taking out is a Variable rate loan. It's not a fixed rate loan. With current rates at a historical all-time low, what's the odds that the rate will go up? Thats right... What this means is that the cost will be a lot more than what people think. Would you prefer a fixed rate load or a variable rate loan? That's what I thought too...
NE Resident
5:50 PM, 4/9/2010"


NE Resident: thank you for your comment. Now you have touched on something I cannot respond to. Rather than ignoring your comment, I will look into this with our Treasurer and Bond Council and get information to you through a special post to this blog. I don't know how long it will take to get the info, but I will look into it.