Beloiters for a Better Referendum

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

We had a good time at WCLO radio today on the Tim Bremel Show. Here is the link: http://www.wclo.com/podcasts/your-talk-show/2012/mar/28/beloit-school-referendum-part-2/

BDN March 28: Lets do the right thing for all of Beloit: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/opinion/con-viewpoint-send-it-back-to-the-board/article_e4df39a0-78f1-11e1-a85b-0019bb2963f4.html

A letter from Mr. Arnie Lee: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/opinion/build-better-referendum/article_bcfdcb30-78f2-11e1-896c-0019bb2963f4.html

A letter from attorney Bill Cunningham: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/opinion/do-homework-then-try-again/article_e985d12a-78f2-11e1-a6d4-0019bb2963f4.html

A letter from school volunteer Sandra Storley: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/opinion/do-you-trust-school-leaders/article_d66a2082-78f2-11e1-a202-0019bb2963f4.html

Hope to see you tomorrow evening, 6 PM, at the Beloit Memorial Hospital Auditorium for our presentation.

4 comments:

BillMarch 28, 2012 at 9:10 PM
I listened to the school referendum discussion on WCLO this morning. I wish that you would have had more time on the air, but Tim was covering a number of referendums and viewpoints today. I sent Tim four emails in succession to refute school superintendent McNeal's erroneous assertions, because as usual he seemed to have trouble telling the complete story.
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BillMarch 29, 2012 at 6:44 AM
What's with the fancy "glossy paper flyer" that was delivered as an insert with the Community Shopper, and was pushing for passage of the $70 million dollar referendum ?? It had to be expensive to deliver that to thousands of households. Where did the money come from to pay for that ?? It had to be paid for by someone that will be profiting from passage of the referendum.

With that much public money in play, I suppose that there will be plenty of our dollars to profit from, but that is quite often the impetus for many government actions. That is yet another reason to go slow, and to have more public input and oversight.
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Better Planning Means a Better Referendum

On April 3rd, Beloit taxpayers, parents, and citizens will be asked to vote "yes" or "no" on a 70 million dollar referendum. The 70 million dollars, plus interest, will be paid by the Beloit taxpayers through increased property taxes over 20 years. Only certain schools will benefit from this referendum, if passed. Some schools get nothing. Others will be closed down permanently. The properties will eventually be sold. Neighborhood schools, for many, will become a thing of the past. Vacant buildings may linger for years.

There are many uncertainties. What school will our children attend? Where will the new school on the east side be built? What will become of the schools that close? Will the new configuration of grades 4-8 together in one school promote student achievement? What do we do if it doesn't work? How will our children get to school? How long will they be on buses each day?

Unfortunately, the referendum was rushed through so quickly that these questions will likely remain unanswered even as we go to the polls. Whatever needs are left out of this referendum will go unmet for another 20 years. It is critical to get it right and not rush into something not properly studied or planned.

Parents and students of Beloit want good schools. But good schools require careful planning. Good schools meet the needs of every student. The proposed referendum abandons some of our most needy buildings and programs. Each student deserves a good school. We deserve a better referendum!

Beloiters for a Better Referendum

BDN letters

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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BDN March 28

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