*sigh* Well, I voted.
I went in knowing exactly which ovals I was going to color in. Then I read the ballot one more time. I was sick to my stomach. I knew no matter which way I voted, yes or no, I would not be happy with the decision. I stood there for a long time reading and re-reading the ballot. I can't just not vote. I heard someone say that not voting would count as a yes. Even if it was counted as no, not voting is still voting. So I stood there debating, yes or no. Eventually I voted. I'm not happy with my choice. I'm really feeling kind of sad about it. Like I said, yes or no, I'd be sad about it.
School Levies. the only thing on our ballot this year.
Here's the deal. Or
my deal, I guess. I feel like the district is playing us. Always using gimmicks and not being entirely honest. I feel like they aren't exactly wise with their money either. Why would I want to give them more? Everybody feels "entitled" to everything they could ever want. There are a lot of great things out there. We live in a time where if someone dreams it, it is probably possible. That doesn't mean we need it.
I feel like this (it's not an actual conversation, I'm making it up using the general ideas claimed in the ads I keep getting in the mail and emailed, the presentations I've seen at PTO over the years, and the district meeting I watched online last year before voting, and my questions):
SD: We need money for technology so our students can be competitive in the world.
Me: Well, what kind of technology are we talking about?
SD: Right now our computers are out dated, just think how out dated they'll be when the current levy runs out! We can barely keep our computer labs working and functioning! What about the tech ed and science classrooms? There is no way they can stay competitive if we can't even have working computer labs.
Me: So you need $50,000,000 to keep the computer labs running and up to date?
SD: That's what we'll do! And so much more! Think of how awesome we could be with that kind of funding! We could have smart boards in every classroom in the district and we could have ipads for the students in the classrooms! We will have possibilities!
Me: What are you
specifically going to be updating for tech ed and science rooms?
SD: Oh, you know, new equipment, etc.
Me: *sigh* avoiding the question. Again!
So is this mostly for the Jr and Sr high schools then?
SD: Oh no, of course not. It is just as important to keep our elementary schools technologically competitive as well.
Me: (Now some people love this and are all for it, if you are one of those people then you will probably be mad at me, but don't worry because I think I'm the minority when I say:) I would actually prefer most of the money go to science labs and tech ed classrooms at the Jr. High and Sr. High school level. I don't think we
need smart boards or ipads for every classroom and I don't want my money to fund that.
SD: Well, if you don't give us the money we will be forced to close some of the computer labs.
Me: So, how much does it cost to keep the computer labs functioning?
SD: Look, we are asking for the bare minimum here. Other neighboring districts are spending far more money than us. In order to remain competitive even with our neighboring districts we need to be spending more per student.
Me: Well, I don't think spending a lot of money equals a good education. Showing me a bar graph of how much money other people spend is NOT going to convince me I need to spend more too. I think spending money
wisely is far more important. You aren't willing to tell me exactly where the money is going- instead you make threats to cut everything. Again, a move that is not building my confidence in supporting you and your capabilities to manage MY money wisely. Making threats puts me on the defense. It brings out my stick it to the man side, the I don't have to vote for you side.
SD: We promise we will make good on our threats. Look at our track record. The last two times our levies didn't pass look at what we did! Wait, what I mean to say is unfortunately we are unable to meet costs with our current funds and look at past years what we were forced to do because of the voter decision.
Me: I see. :-(
And now I have that pit in my stomach feeling when I vote, no matter what I decide because if you really don't have enough to fund NEEDS with a little bit of extras I would feel guilty for saying NO, but if you are just asking for money so you can be frivolous with it and there really aren't improvements that meet children's learning NEEDS they just look fancy and show-off-ish so we look like an affluent community that superficially cares about children while knowing nothing about actual child development then I don't want to vote YES. I'm trying to teach my children to live within their means and that going into debt to look good is bad even when it is disguised as a good cause like "education" and I'm trying to teach them to stand up to bullies of all kinds- even the ones who do it for what they think is a good cause and say, anyone who isn't spending exorbitant amounts of money or willing to go into debt for education is a hater of children, intelligence, and a healthy community*.
We need to have the self control to stop blurring the line of wants becoming needs. You won't tell me where the money is going specifically so how can I trust you, school district?
The operating levy isn't any better.
What's it for?
SD: Maintaining the schools as is.
So you need the right to increase the amount of money for each student from $1,500 something to nearly $2,000 with the right to increase that each year as the rate of inflation goes up to whatever seems necessary to you without re-consulting the residents? That's kind of what it sounds like on the ballot.
I'm not really feeling the trust in you I should be, knowing the push for what I see as extras over the years.
SD: No extras for this. If this doesn't pass there will be less buses, larger classroom sizes, higher activities fees, possible school closures, and gasp, we will be forced to fire teachers.
Me: Well,
which teachers? (Just kidding). So, if you get more money would it be possible to increase teacher pay- because I would be willing to pay more for activities and have a farther distance for walkers, schools closed in neighborhoods that no longer have children living in them or are costing more to keep running than building a new one in an area with many children thus also decreasing the need for busing, if teachers got paid more.
SD: Well, we actually don't have any control over teachers, that's more of a state thing.
Me: But you can fire them as a threat if your levies don't pass? Something isn't really sounding right to me.
Our government and school systems aren't really working the way they are run now. I'd hate to leave it up to the general public too though. Many adults have no clue what a child's needs actually are. The whole thing frustrates me. Thus, my frowny voting day.
*Now when I say this I want to be very clear that there are some people who say, "I don't have kids (anymore or at all) so why should I care. (or I home school). I don't want my property taxes to go up." and comments like that do make me mad enough to spit! I have pretty strong opinions on investing in our children. They are the future; as cliche as that line is. A community is only as healthy as the children in it and that means schools. If a school isn't thriving the whole town is headed down hill whether or not students are home schooled or your children are grown up or you don't have any kids so there are no kids anyway. No healthy public school equals no healthy community. Also why I am not a huge supporter of private and charter schools- it takes good parents and students away from what could be a very happy, healthy, exuberant public school that benefits an entire community and that becomes a healthy environment for less fortunate children who could benefit from being in a positive environment- the ratio of good to bad kids is higher to smaller making a better learning environment for all in general and increasing the likelihood of bad kids not growing up to be so bad after all because they have support, kindness, and love to encourage them, thus making a better community. It might sound a little idealistic, but still a valid point to consider.
Here's a
link to the ballot questions and the results if you are interested.
