Savage Pacer - Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board - Comments

This program is being

Nancy Huddleston — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:08:21 -0500

This program is being mandated by the state, so the "need" is not being dictated locally, it's coming from higher up.

Wow, just what we need... a

Gordy — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:11:19 -0500

Wow, just what we need... a magnet school for performing arts. In the Burnsville PAC no less. What a downright silly waste of money. But, no big surprise if it happens given the clowns "representing" voters on the school board.

The terms of Ron Hill, Todd Johnson and Vicki Roy expire on December 31, 2008. Here's hoping we get a voting majority installed in 2009 that can make a positive difference in our children's education while NOT initiating more new burdensome programs.

I went to school with Ben's

Miss Mollee — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:12:01 -0500

I went to school with Ben's son Dan while he was superintendent of the Superior School District. He is a good man and did a fine job in Superior. Burnsville was lucky to get him.

I still recall our attempts to get him to call a snow day during one winter storm. I can't say for sure that we influenced his decision, but we certainly enjoyed the day off :)

Best of luck, Ben!

Here we go again... Another

Gordy — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:11:02 -0600

Here we go again...

Another unwanted unnecessary program for District 191.

What nonsense in a time when the district should be focusing on strengthening the programs it already has instead of dreaming up new ways to further dilute financial resources.

Creating a magnet school is NOT a 'free' proposition and it is NOT a necessary option in order to meet the ridiculous state-mandated Desegregation Rule.

Yup... just like All-Day-Kindergarten, here we go again.

Not bad suggestions. It's

tgt_paul — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:02:58 -0500

Not bad suggestions. It's too bad that what will really happen if the referendum is not passed will be teachers losing jobs, class sizes increasing and schools at risk. Voting no to the funding won't cause the district to cut administrative costs (how many times have you seen an administrator with a position at risk not find a way to justify the fat in the system).

I wish we had much leaner operating school systems and a better funding process than forcing districts to campaign for money from communities that are stretched thin from high property taxes and rising costs of living. Unfortunately, that is the environment in which we live.

I do not have children attending school in the district nor do I know any IDS191 teachers, but I will be voting yes. We need to continue to push for reforms in the education system, but can not ignore the needs and value of ensuring quality education for our youth.

Just my $.02, though it's probably not worth that much.

What is district 191 really

Spearhead — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:05:24 -0500

What is district 191 really asking for they are not building any new schools or have any plans for major revamping of infrastructure to existing schools and are also facing loses in enrollment. Board members believe that more money is needed to maintain a high quality of education. I couldn’t agree more and it is my belief that quality education is in the classroom between the instructor and the students and only the absolutely necessary office personnel to support it. We should keep open only the amount of schools necessary to support the student population and if that means one can be closed then close it. The district wants a lot $67,500.000 to be paid out over a 10 year period of time in increments of $6,750,000 per year. Just a few years ago the district passed a $35,000.000 referendum that is still in place giving them $3,500.000 per year over 10 years. Now just a couple of months ago the district said it did not believe the communities would support a referendum and had decided to drop it for this year also it would cost $60,000 + just to try to sell it to the public. I guess I don’t see the urgency all of a sudden nor do I have room in my budget for around a $300.00 increase in my property taxes. Many of us have had to tighten our financial belts in recent years with energy costs spiraling upward which effects most all consumer goods that are also on an upward trend like buying groceries. The district needs to find ways to cut costs like administrative junkets that are only absolutely necessary and administrative personnel that are only absolutely necessary. Just suggestions.