As most of you probably know by now, the levy has failed.
Thanks to all of the people who worked so hard to get the district's message into the community. Regardless of result, your dedication and passion was inspiring.
Now, we must do more than ever to make change at the state level. Our kids' future, and the future of this community, depend on it.
We must have funding equity for our students.
(end)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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The process has worked. The residents have spoken loudly that we do not think the school needs more money. I encourage you to take this as a positive challenge to become more efficient with the resources provided!
ReplyDeleteYep Mike you are right. The schools don't need more money. Other school districts are spending sometimes as much as thousands more per student. The district will get more efficient by cutting more programs. These students will in turn make great future North Branch residents. As uneducated and small minded as the current ones. Why do you think that your home values suffer more than other towns? Why do you think the average wage is lower? I can't beleive anyone would want to live in a town with such a mentality. The residents did not speak loudly that the schools do not need more money, they spoke loudly that they are selfish. Who cannot afford another 200 bucks a year? Many, spent more than that to rally against the levy. Your home values are likely down as much as 5-10 percent because of the lack of programs and school funding. I am sure that is more costly than the raise in taxes. Please stay in North Branch so you don't spread your infection to other more enlightened towns.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is also selfish to demand money from people who are struggling to feed their families. But perhaps hypocrites will never look at themselves in a critical light and any kind of reasoning will never work because they are too blinded by what they believe is right to see anyone else's struggles as real.
ReplyDeleteHome values in North Branch fell because the businesses are taxed so highly they cannot afford to pay their employees higher wages. This, in turn, prevents new businesses from bringing jobs to the city. As with the rest of the nation, many people in North Branch lost their jobs over the last year. This area was one of the hardest hit in the state by the foreclosure crisis. When your neighbors are losing their houses and they are selling for pennies on the dollars that you owe (or not selling at all), your home value will fall. But the government refuses to acknowledge this and unfairly taxes the properties, and so the citizens, to the point where people can no longer afford them.
Trickle down. Work on fixing the higher level of problems in this city and other problems will correct themselves naturally.
And perhaps a bit of introspection and some humility could do you some good. Stop selfishly thinking that everyone has the same needs and that your immediate want/need is what is most important in people's lives. Some people would rather have a home than have "free" activities for kids at school. Who are you to judge what people prioritize in their lives?
People voted on what they believed was the best outcome. The majority said "Not right now." That's democracy. If you think democracy is an "infection" then perhaps this is not only the wrong town for you, sir, but the wrong country.
I love hearing the "not right now" when???? It has never passed has it? I have been here seven years...still nothing...
ReplyDeletePlease just tell me when would be the right time?
Well said anonymous #2. I could not agree more. I think it's safe to say anonymous #1 probably works for the school district. I have lived in North Branch for four years and in that four years my property taxes has gone up almost $1000. Each time that happens my house payment goes up. we are almost to the point where we cannot make our house payment. I think it's time for all public schools to do more with less, just like most family's have to right now. Private schools are doing it with much less money per student and getting much better graduation results. Throwing more money at it is not the answer. The North branch school admin. in 2008-09 took a wage increase. Now why do most family's in North Branch lose their jobs, take pay cuts or pay freezes but the school admin. does not have too? Deb Henton make $189,000 a year. The average salary of 17 admin. jobs are $97,000/yr. Maybe it's time for them to take one for the team. Maybe take a pay freeze at the least! Just like everyone else. No, instead they are going to try to change it at the state level. They will never stop trying to steal our money. Sorry anonymous #1. You are in the minority right now and hopefully it stays that way...
ReplyDeleteThe right time is never. It seems to me that the people of Chisago county are way over taxed. I am one of them. That's probably why nothing has passed in seven years and hopefully never.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous #1 clearly has an issue with current alumni. "These students will in turn make great future North Branch residents. As uneducated and small minded as the current ones." That is sad. Perhaps that person and I have had different experiences with the current residents. I have found them to be hard working, intelligent and exceptionably perceptive.
ReplyDeleteI wish only the best for North Branch. I think the people are as resourceful as any other district. My grade school curriculum consisted of the 3 "r's": Reading wRiting and aRithmetic. Today, I still feel those core competencies can take anyone as far as they wish to push themselves. I struggle to understand why the district cannot accomplish that goal for $10K+ per pupil.
I also understand there are many variables in that equation, such as special education, and programs for senior high – which simply cost more to sustain than elementary education programs. However, I see schools like Trinity providing an excellent education for $3k / per pupil. Clearly, money alone is not the solution. Children from the poorest neighborhoods across America have become shining stars across our great country. Now more than ever is the time to look within ourselves and what we can do. Simply throwing money at a problem is shameful ignorance of the true talents we have to offer. Education itself has almost become a business.
I also do not accept the simple spreadsheets of dollars spent vs. education achieved. We must always push for more. More and more money every year, regardless of the number of current enrollment, our employers and government expect more. Every industry has had to cut staff and re-examine their budgets. Why is education the sacred cow? I do not fault them for asking for more, anyone would. The answer is simply, “NO”.
The value I have found the citizens in North Branch; is to be capable of the assessment of what needs to be accomplished and the human know-how to make it happen. I feel this is an example of the true “Midwest Work Ethic”. I feel confident the residents are more than capable of making those decisions. Let’s be proud of what we have to offer rather then hiding behind economics!
Hurray North Branch!