Saline school district voters turn down $22 million bond extension
Irene Jedele votes in the Saline school district election this afternoon at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, which is the Lodi Township precinct.
Lisa Allmendinger | AnnArbor.com
For the second time in six months, voters in the Saline school district on Tuesday turned down a bond request — this time a retooled version— by a margin of 2,563 to 2,040.
Voters in the City of Saline, Saline and Lodi townships, and portions of Freedom, Bridgewater, Pittsfield and York townships were asked to approve a $22 million bond issue, which would have added $22 million in new debt to the current $124 million bond and extended payments through 2031.
About 4,600 of the 19,200 registered voters cast a ballot.
Despite the bond defeat, Superintendent Scot Graden said, "We are committed to providing the best possible education in the best possible environment."
He said money must be invested in the schools, and there are projects that will have to be delayed. "We'll focus on the critical needs," he said. "We'll have to make some different choices."
School board member Craig Hoeft said the district must move to a Plan B.
"Now the future's a little different," he said. "The people have spoken, and we'll move on. There have got to be things we can do; we'll get the community together, and Scot is great at doing that, and we'll decide what we need to do from here."
Currently, taxpayers are paying a 7-mill levy through 2025 — or $700 per year for the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000. If the proposal had been approved by voters, the levy would have been extended another six years.
The ballot language stated the bond would be used for “remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; acquiring and installing educational technology in school buildings; acquiring school buses; and developing and improving playgrounds and sites.”
Signs were set up outside the Lodi Township polling precinct at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.
Lisa Allmendinger | AnnArbor.com
Cheryl Law said she voted in favor of the bond.
“I definitely voted yes,” she after casting her vote at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds Tuesday afternoon. “We moved to Saline for the school district. I’m here to support the renewal.”
The school district has about $200 million in fixed assets, Graden said.
“I think they are trying to sneak it in in February,” said Jane Mamarow, who didn't want to disclose how she voted. “But I think it’s a shame that more people don’t vote in school elections.”
The bond was a revamped version of the proposal rejected by voters in the 2010 primary election and was $4 million less than the previous proposal.
Had the extension passed, Graden said in November that about 85 percent of the bond would be used for building and site improvements in the district and 15 percent for technology and busing.
“(The school district) ought to be able to manage their money,” said resident Ed Mamarow, who did not wish to say how he voted Tuesday. “They have two schools they aren’t using now. It’s OK to bail them out once in a while but … .”
An organized opposition to the bond was launched with the rallying slogan of “We Can’t Afford It.” The group’s information stated the bond extension was “mortgaging our children’s future.”
In Bridgewater Township, the bond failed 29 votes to 13 votes. In Lodi Township, it was defeated 626 votes to 354 votes.
Pittsfield Township voters approved the measure 493 votes to 363, while in the City of Saline, the bond was turned down 903 to 727.
In Saline Township, it went down 185 votes to 78, and in York Township, it lost 457 votes to 375.
Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter with AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Saline stories, visit our Saline page.
Comments
debling
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
This is easy to solve. 2040 people thought it was worthwhile. The bond will cost $29 million spread over 30 years. That means $474 per voter that wanted it. So, let the 2040 people that think it is worthwhile pony up the $474 per year. Just write a check today.
stunhsif
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.
Good one, do an opinion piece on A2.com and make that suggestion and I mean that. Problem is the math does not add up. This would amount to almost $10,784.00 per YES voter. Still, some of those YES voters may pony up and write the school district a big check.
InsideTheHall
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:03 a.m.
Anon 99: Suggest you look at the data. Europe does not have any great advantage over the US. It is a myth. If those weren't teachers working the polls on Tuesday, shame on them for sending "da spouse" out in the cold to do the heavy lifting. <a href="http://super-economy.blogspot.com/2010/12/amazing-truth-about-pisa-scores-usa.html" rel='nofollow'>http://super-economy.blogspot.com/2010/12/amazing-truth-about-pisa-scores-usa.html</a>
Don Walker
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 7:05 p.m.
I guarantee you that the official working my polling location wasn't a teacher or a spouse. Instead, he had the nerve to suggest that this date had been picked because of the vacation to create a small turnout. Which NEVER would work in the school district's favor. Besides being ill-informed or wrong about that, it was a violation of election ethics.
Anonymous99
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
To conclude my rant, if you look at schools abroad in Europe and other places where the education system is strong. Most schools offer great benefit packages, and salaries for teachers. These schools look for experienced teachers with Masters degrees, and pay and respect them according to their worth. I am not saying that teachers can't help by taking concessions in a difficult economy, however, can they not also be supported and treated with the respect they deserve? People that are in teachers' positions have to be careful, when the economy recovers, history has shown that the benefits given up will not also be recovered. Before you accuse do your research and find out what is really going on. I know that my posts will anger a lot of people, however some things had to be said and had to be set straight. I don't intend to read any further comments on this post, so say what you want, but teachers and public workers are not the problem with our society.
Anonymous99
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
To continue my 'rant', for those of you who want to quote Snyder's report on over paid public employees, he didn't compare professionals with Masters degrees to like professionals in the private sector. He compared them to part time workers, McDonalds workers, and teenagers. When confronted about this, he laughed and said he knew the report was not accurate, but many people had not read it anyway. In my mind, this is all a part of the rich waging war on those that have less. It was, for the majority, the biggest moneymakers in our country that hurt our economy. When this happened, everyone was after them, at first, however, over time, I believe that they decided to wage a war against public workers. Running ad campaigns and attacking those that can't really fight back. I don't see people screaming for investment bankers to be brought low any more, instead we are now screaming for the destruction of unions, and the public workers that have been serving for so diligently and for so long. As we kill the unions, which we are in the process of doing, public schools will get less and less money (see Snyder's proposed cuts) and eventually fall. In their place great private schools will spring up, but guess what? You will have to pay to go there, the rich who can afford it, will get a great education, good luck to everyone else. The rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. Bringing down the Unions and destroying public servants is the first step. So if you want to give into the hype and destroy the public servants, because it makes you feel better to blame all of this on someone you can hurt, you will deserve what you get. I only feel bad for the children who will be missing out.
Anonymous99
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Many of the posts above are ridiculous. To set the record straight, Saline teachers did NOT have the day off on Monday, they worked the entire day. In addition, they were not told by their union leader or superintendent that they had to stay in town. The calendar for Saline had been set quite a while ago, Saline teachers have had a Professional Development day at the school, working the day after President's weekend for many years. So Saline teachers were not "chilling at the polls" as added in a previous comment. In addition Saline teachers took a 3% pay cut this year, and gave up payment for professional development days. Yes they still work those days, and are required to be at the school working, but they volunteered to give up payment. Before the first bond failed to pass teachers offered to match the contributions of Saline families. Meaning, that if the families passed the bond, each teacher would give up a matching amount from their paycheck. They were turned down. I fail to see why most people seem to think that the economic problems are due to teachers and public employees. Teachers work in one of the few professions where they are required to continuously take credits, and pay for them, in order to keep certificates current. Most teachers are highly educated and have Masters degrees or more. Just because teachers are in a position where they are working for the children, does it mean that they should be compensated for less than private sector workers (not including private schools) that have like degrees? Although no teachers I know came into the profession to make money, they at least deserve to be able to support their families, own a home, and make a decent living. Teachers having good insurance often makes up for living on a smaller pay scale then other professionals with Masters degrees and continuous higher education.
sh1
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
There is a big problem with the way comments are displayed in this new format. Someone like Macabre Sunset can make a blatantly false claim, and if someone wants to refute it with proof, it gets buried underneath. I would like to add another link beside the "report abuse" link that says "report bs" or something like that, to keep the rumors from getting too out of hand. In this study, the US ranks #37 in percentage of GDP spent on schools: <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_edu_spe-education-spending-of-gdp" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_edu_spe-education-spending-of-gdp</a> In this updated study, the US ranks #7 in per pupil spending: <a href="http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/45/48/37864432.pdf" rel='nofollow'>www.oecd.org/dataoecd/45/48/37864432.pdf</a>
sh1
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
My original point stands. No data to support claims.
DonBee
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
And the top several countries on your list all have way less GPD per person than the US. Meaning their actual spending per student is way less than the US. Your OECD data includes college and pre-school, not just K-12. So it is not an apples to apples comparison, since in some European countries both college and pre-school are funded from taxes. You have trotted this one one as often as Macabre Sunset has the one you are complaining about.
Will Warner
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
@Ghost: "This morning I looked up the definition of 'Cutting off one's nose in order to spite one's face.' And what did I find? A map of the city of Saline." For once Ghost (and this is probably the only time), I agree with you. The BOE and the Sup are doing their jobs -- informing the residents of the school district about the challanges faced by the schools, offering a plan for addressing them, and seeking approval of the electorate. Shortsightedly, the electorate said "no, get by with less." Administrators will react as professionals and do the best they can. But people need to keep in mind the adage "you get what you pay for" which really means, "you don't get what you don't pay for."
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 11:47 p.m.
That's one more foreign vacation than I've had in the last five years. Indeed, that's one more foreign vacation than I've had in the last 20 years. Sounds like fat city to me. Good Night and Good Luck
stunhsif
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.
one trip in past 5 years Ed, one ! BTW , brought home bedbugs, remember. trip to Mexico not so good. Millage defeat, PRICELESS !
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
"The taxpayers are maxed out . . . " How was that trip to Mexico, Stun?? Wish I were so maxed out. Good Night and Good Luck
stunhsif
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
You could not be more wrong Will. More than 10 years ago a study was done (don't remember and won't take the time now to look it up) by an independant auditor which told Saline Schools that they were headed for disaster. At the time they were sitting on something like a 25 million dollar surplus. Saline Schools knew this day was coming if they did not make changes to healthcare and pensions etc. The taxpayers are maxed out and so are the Saline Schools. Tough love was the only way to go. Now the BOA ( which are puppet masters for the SEA) will have to get serious and make appropriate and reasonable cuts. There is plenty of low hanging fruit and the parents have paid and are paying more than their fare share. Time for the unions to pay their fair share.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
Awwwwww. You agree with me more than that!! Good Night and Good Luck
InsideTheHall
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 8:07 a.m.
Add to losers in this election Mark Ouimet and the Ping Sisters who supported the YES position. Those of us in Lodi are scratchin the head about Ouimet and his motives on this one.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
Maybe he has a brain after all. Good Night and Good Luck
salinemom2712
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 4:41 a.m.
The campaigning is over, the taxpayers have spoken and now it's time to get back to the jobs you have been hired or elected to do. This whole fiasco has been a huge distraction for the teachers and administration, and it's time to get back to the jobs of educating our children and creating a budget that meets the needs of the district. I pray that Graden and the BOE do not decide to bring forth another bond issue anytime in the near future. It has divided and damaged our community, and I seriously doubt that Graden, as the engineer of the controversy, can repair the damage. Let's move on and get back to business.
PittsfieldPerson
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
I'm not quite understanding the sky is falling mentality. They just won't relocate the school offices and they won't build a new road behind the Middle School and they won't install wireless internet district wide. It doesn't mean that they need to cut band and AP classes as some are trying to claim. They will have to buy some busses out of the general fund like districts used to do, and they may have to repair a roof out of the sinking fund, but the voters haven't destroyed educational opportunities for the children of Saline.
Jonny Spirit
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
One bus will cost the amount of pay for 5-6 teachers. What do you think will happen. Their not going to cut Math, all electives classes will get cut to reduce the amount of teachers. So if you want a school with Math, English, Science, and SS then get ready your child in Saline will have NO other choices. Open your eyes people. A teacher should NOT have to give up what they worked so hard to get to pay for your children education. YOU should pay for YOUR kids education. Teachers are only doing their job and in Saline they are the BEST around.
Buttstone
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
I'd like to see how the vote went for those with children and those without. The busses are HORRID and in need of update/replace/repair. My son has had to been picked up three (3) times this year alone due to busses breaking down. The HVAC systems in the schools are poor. My kids always complain about the temperature in the schools. It's more like a meat locker. Suck it up folks. This money would have went a long way to implementing more cost effective initiatives. It takes money to manage a leading school system. I voted based upon my children's needs. Quit being a bunch of cheap crumudgens.
snoopdog
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 2:07 a.m.
Rubbish, the buses are fine. Buses do break down but Saline's buses are just fine. I graduated from Saline Schools back when they had no air conditioning. All schools now have a/c and they are more than sufficient. I've been through enough of them the past several years to know that.
braggslaw
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
Trying to jam a reworked proposal that was voted down six months ago on a school holiday is about as sneaky as it gets.
Bill
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
It's time for the school districts to look at some regional consolidation of services to reduce their costs. While towns like having their own school systems, it simply may no longer be affordable. Consolidating services could reduce overhead, improve efficiencies through greater buying power and provide for a higher quality of education to the students throughout a regional system. Regionalizing services does not mean that students would need to be moved from one end of the region to another, it simply means that admininstrative services, maintenance, busing, purchasing, etc. could be consolidated. I believe some districts are already in discussion, perhaps it is time for all superintendents in this area to meet and discuss such a plan.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 11:47 a.m.
yes!!! Saline should consolidate with Ypsi, Lincoln, and Willow Run immediately! Good Night and Good Luck
PaperTigerSophie
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
Oh, NO, we can't consolidate and become more efficient, as people will LOSE THEIR JOBS! We need to keep this gravy train going as long as we can in Saline, with all of the overly inflated salaries and overly-numbered administrators. No wonder Saline Schools is broke. Perhaps now that the millage did NOT PASS - and don't run it by us again - enough is enough - do you get the MESSAGE NOW?????, it's finally sinking in that coordination of services is the way to go. And, didn't Gov. Snyder say the other night that if you DO CONSOLIDATE, then he will give you MORE money?
Dog Guy
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
Saline's problem is that a majority of voters in the district work for a living, rather than living on taxes or having close relatives who live on taxes. Thank goodness that Ann Arbor does not have this problem and will pass any bond issue on the ballot. Additionally, Ann Arbor's politburo saves time and money by not putting their sweetheart bonds to a vote. Ann Arbor is greatly superior to any real city.
snoopdog
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
And they need to fund a good portion of their pensions out of their own pockets as well. The BOA needs to drop MESSA and the SEA needs to pay more than 20%, more like 40% like the rest of us.
PaperTigerSophie
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
Dog Guy, you are absolutely correct. One of Saline's SEA's problem is that they are way too selfish to "give" an inch. AAPS teachers have taken concessions, PAY for part of their healthcare, etc., and are working as a "team". Until the SEA/teachers in Saline are willing to come to the table and renegotiate their healthcare costs, i.e., going from MESSA to a more affordable BC/BS and pay 20% of their own healthcare, the voters in Saline will turn down a millage request every time. KUDOS to the teachers in Ann Arbor. Now, that's what I truly call "teamwork".
iamwrite
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
I enjoy the fearmongers saying that the world is ending and that the children are going to be in schools that will crumble around them as the books fade to dust. I went to Union School, and who was standing up for my rights with the asbestos and lead paint? (Yum, paint chips)//sarcasm Buck up and take it! The results are in, and the citizens of Saline want SAS to fund their investments with the money that they have already. If the money was already spent on something else (Taj Mahal?) then where was the foresite in that? Just because you have the money to spend on PRETTY THINGS, does not mean that you should. "Let's use more CREDIT, and go further in DEBT!" This is the attitude that has created this mess, and will only perpetuate this problem further. Class is obviously still in session...
zip the cat
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Show me SPECIFICALY line by line dollar for dollar what my tax dollars are being spent for and maybe,just maybe I will vote for it. But lie and cheat and sugar coat it and deceive the tax payers who by the way mr graden pays your outta sight wages and it and your cronies will whither in defeat. We the voters are on to you tacktics and deceit and after this latest fiasco will scrutinize your every move. Bet on it!!!
clownfish
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
Interesting... A school system has an election to request capital improvement bonds and people on .com get angry because of "the waste of taxpayer money to hold an election in February" yet no comments on a special election in Augusta Twp to remove someone that has survived a previous recall and has been re-elected
mgoblue73
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
I thought that the people of Saline were highly educated, smart, community-based city. What the heck was I thinking? After reading these comments, I am convinced Saline is nothing more than a bunch of old penny-pinchers that didn't do any research on this bond issue. No, taxes were not going up. This was the only open window of opportunity to pass the bond extension WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. This was a bond EXTENSION, not a bond PROPOSAL. it merely extended the bond we are already paying. I am ashamed to live in the same city as the people that commented here. I bet of all the people that voted 'no', maybe 2% of you actually took the time to attend the forum or do any research on the bond extension. All you saw was "$22 Million" and immediately voted no. Pathetic. As for making the school of choice families pay the $22 million -- that would come out to almost $500,000 each. There aren't that many. I will agree that school of choice families should pay taxes towards the school they attend, but still, that is a drop in the bucket. The bond money was earmarked for technology (rapidly changing every minute), school building maintenance, school buses, and playgrounds. But instead of being proactive and fixing things before they are unsafe and hazardous to the children, you all want Saline Schools to wait until the buildings fall apart, and a child falls from a broken monkey bar. I bet you would be the first one to raise heck if a bus breaks down in cold weather with your child on it. Pathetic indeed.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
"Saline. Love it or Leave it." Sound like a great campaign to attract new residents and businesses to town. Can we expect the signs to go up soon on the outskirts of town? Where can I get the bumper stickers? Good Night and Good Luck
stunhsif
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
If you are that ashamed to live in Saline then I suggest you move elsewhere. Most of us will sleep better at night knowing that the Saline School District will finally have to get their house in financial order and quit spending money they don't have.
Corey
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
Great point about this being the only open window to pass a bond extension without raising taxes. Now if the residents of Saline want to help the schools it will be with a tax increase. I would say the outcome was not just pathetic but too shortsighted.
InsideTheHall
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:02 p.m.
Winner and losers from the Saline Bond Extension Election: Winner - Judy McCoy for leading the grass roots campaign out flanking the SEA/MEA political machine. Run Judy Run! Winner - WeCan'tAffordIt.com - Internet, Facebook, Twitter campaign completely caught the SEA off guard. Winner - Saline School District voters who were wise enough to see the shell game being brought forth. There is no such thing as $22 million in "free" money. Loser - Scot Garden - Credibiity eroded by bringing forth a second bond package in 6 months losing by a wider margin on a conducive election day. Loser - SEA - The teachers union was unable to call muster to win OR has their political base eroded...possibly a Wisconsin back lash???
Greggy_D
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
winners - kids that won't have to pay for a laptop 25 years from now that was purchased today.
clownfish
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.
losers- kids that won't have the latest technology to compete against thier Chinese counterparts.
SalineSally
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
As a fairly recent Saline graduate, I am really disappointed by the defeat of this bond proposal. I am sad that future generations of students in our community will have fewer opportunities than I did because more programs will undoubtedly have to be cut now. I sincerely hope that voters will stand behind the district when these painful cuts are made since this is clearly what they wanted. I challenge those opposed to the bond to help district leaders find viable ways to save the school money. I have yet to see any real possibilities proposed by any of these groups. There has been much discussion about getting the SEA to give concessions, but I would like to remind those people that it is illegal to break a contract and that the board has been turned down when they have previously asked to have it reopened. Cuts to teacher salaries, health care, and pensions will not be possible until this contract is up. In the meanwhile, there will have to be many hard choices made that will ultimately hurt students especially with the proposed decreases in state funding.
stunhsif
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
They can break their contract if they want to break the contract. They won't do it because they don't care about the kids or the taxpayers, they care only about themselves.
WaldenPond
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
And PTA do gooders???? You know what? Those do gooders are awesome because all they care about is enhancing the educational experience for all of the kids in our schools. And they do it with a huge heart and expect nothing in return. I am certain that your children's experience, no matter when it occured, was similarly affected in a positive way.
mlivesaline
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:29 p.m.
Wholeheartedly agree with this. Thank you PTA. This name calling was uncalled for. All you do is try to improve the schools and make things better for the students. Thanks you. Unfortunately the climate we live in the more hostile than it should be.
WaldenPond
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
To all of you angry voters, the overwhelming majority I bet don't have kids in school right now, but I am sure voted for the bonds that built the taj mahals, now we won't be able to maintain them. Now those of us who moved here for the schools will have to clean up this mess. We parents are the ones whose kids won't have extracurriculars, AP classes, energetic young teachers, athletics, clean schools, heating systems that work, roofs that don't leak, technology so that our kids can compete with districts that have passed these bonds, all things that your kids had. Pardon me while I go kick the ladder out from under all those preschool parents. I wouldn't want their kids getting more than I or my kids had....
AlwaysLate
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
1. My children do go to Saline High School...take AP Courses, play sports. 2. As such I know that the roof does not leak and those programs will not go away. 3. As long as Graden refuses to be specific about how the money will spent (and for that matter, where the previous money went.) I will continue to vote "NO". 4. Since you apparantly can afford paying the extra tax, you're welcome to cover your less well off neighbors when Graden finally sneaks the bond through.
stunhsif
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
hey on goldenpond. We are not angry, we are broke. I voted no and I have two kids who graduated Saline since 2005, one who is a junior at the High School ( AKA taj mahals--your verbage) and one who will enter kindergarten in 3 years. I voted no so the school district can survive moving forward. They need to get their spending under control and we helped them with that by cutting up their maxed out credit cards. They have been very poor stewards with our money, that must and will change from this day foward.
WaldenPond
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Enough with the gloating. To all of you educated votes who are spouting that this will be back on the ballot soon, go read the article at SalineMilanPatch.com , and you will get your answers.
AlwaysLate
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
And Lisa.... Why is this story slanted toward the "Yes" faction? Why not quotes or point of view from the winning "No" faction?
mlivesaline
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
Yes Lisa, did you vote yes too? Were you paid by the school board for your article? I think this is a conspiracy. NOT. Relax everyone, it's just a news article. It didn't pass this time but the money is still needed. Eventually it will pass so relax. At some point you will be paying more I guarantee it. You may wish to put your home on the market now so you can leave before having to pay more in taxes. Don't let the door hit you.
Doug Reed
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
It is a great day in Saline. Now the hard work must begin for the school board and administration to make further cuts in the bloated administration, waste and to squeeze concessions out of the teachers and their ultra-rich benefits package. Get to work. I'll be watching closely.
stunhsif
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.
good post Doug. Hey clownfish, we in the private sector have been making concessions for several years now, get a clue !
iamwrite
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.
@clownfish What schools are closing? Facts please!
clownfish
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
You call for concessions by teachers, but apparently are unwilling to make you own concessions. If you want teachers to take say a 7% pay cut and pay 15% more for insurance, are you willing to pay .7mils to keep the schools open?
simply amazed
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
As I recall from years ago, I read an article about how the Saline district got far less (somewhere between $7000-8000 per student) while other districts were getting upwards of almost $12,000 per student. And all this based on some half baked formula from years and years ago. I think the article was written sometime around the time the "anonymous donor" was willing to contribute about $7M dollars to the district if we didn't move to a "school of choice" option. I never quite understood why the disparity in how the state funds districts. Is my memory totally failing me on this matter or does somebody have some insight into that? I'm just curious.
Don Walker
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
Yes, the Ann Arbor schools and other districts that had spent larger than average amounts on their students were "grandfathered" with better state contributions. That is why AA can spend so much on drama and music and extras while everyone else has to fund those items out of the core operations.
AlwaysLate
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
The whole thing was dishonest and underhanded. Thank goodness the hard working people in Saline saw through these sleazy tactics and won the day. Now, of course, Mr. Graden and the Board will try again during the May election cycle...
stunhsif
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
If they try and do it again, we should recall the members of the school board. Be more than happy to help with that !
AlwaysLate
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
- During the run up to both elections, Mr. Graden and the Board repeatedly refused to show the public a line-by-line breakdown of how the money was to be spent. ("Trust us…" was the overall theme of all the meetings) - After being turned down previously, Mr. Graden and the Board tried to slip the bond issue through during a school holiday when they figured no one would be around to vote against them. They hoped that many "NO" voting families would be on vacation during the Presidents Day vacation. They also expected that most "NO" voting seniors would be down south and unable to vote by absentee ballot. (Hence, the unusual February Special Election that even the Saline City Clerk didn't know about!) - Together with Mr. Graden, the teachers union ordered all its teachers to not leave town during the holiday and to vote "Yes" in order to save their jobs. (If the bond money was only for infrastructure, why would the teachers care about the results?)
mlivesaline
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
Yes that School Board is very sly. They also seemed to figure out when a major weather storm was coming since they know that the people who would vote Yes have more SUV's and all wheel drive vehicles. Why must everything be a conspiracy in this country anymore?
Don Walker
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
Give up on the conspiracy theory. As someone else already commented, the school district didn't pick this date.
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
AlwaysLate- The date of the election was decided by the Michigan Secretary of State, not by the school district. There were only a set number of dates that the school district could choose to have the election on.
momofthree
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Mr. Graden was open and honest at numerous community forums to try and educate as many people as he could about exactly where this money would be used. I am sure that if you truly wanted a line by line item to understand where each and every penny went, he would have explained it to you. This poor man ran himself ragged for our schools this past month. As for the teachers caring about it's passing - The teachers (and parents and students) care about this issue because now that it has not passed, money that is needed for a leaking roof, a school bus, etc. will come from the operating fund of which 85% goes towards teachers salaries. Therefore teachers will be let go, classes will be dropped, etc. in order to fund these needs. Money raised for facilities cannot, by law, be used for teachers salaries.
AlwaysLate
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
"... we'll get the community together, and Scot is great at doing that, and we'll decide what we need to do from here." Scot Graden and the sleazy tactics the School Board used to try and ram this bond issue down our throats...again!...are the primary reasons I voted "NO"...again!
Polecat
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
So will we see this again in August? I voted no because I always vote no on tax increases and extensions. Live within your means like the rest of the country has to.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
This morning I looked up the definition of "Cutting off one's nose in order to spite one's face." And what did I find? A map of the city of Saline. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
Sb wrote: "The Saline tax would be on property owners, so it doesn't matter what income you have, or don't. You WILL pay this tax so long as you own property within that school district. Don't you understand that?" I understand (as apparently you don't) that the ability to afford ANYTHING is a function of its cost relative to one's income and expenses. That this tax would have been a property tax does not change that fundamental relationship. We were, after all, talking about those few examples you found of those who claimed they could not afford the increased tax, weren't we? There are many, many people with whom I disagree who use facts and logic in their arguments for whom I have the utmost respect. Yours and my discussions about high-speed rail are a good example. But then there are those who vote against a capital bond issue because they, in their warped world, they believe doing so will punish teachers. Those people are operating on the level of a six-year old. They are angry and they are acting out, logic be damned, facts be damned. I, indeed, have no respect for those people. ZERO. And there were some VERY logical, fact-based reasons not to vote for this bond issue if one were inclined actually apply logic and facts to one's decision. Taking 20 years to pay for technology that will be outdated in five was one reason. There were others. Punishing teachers? The logic of a six-year old. And as for my slamming so-called "Christians", I might take your advice into consideration the day I see you taking to task all of those who make broad-brush statements about teachers, cops, fire personnel, etc... I'll leave it to you to decide whether going off to one's room to pout is age-appropriate. Good Night and Good Luck
sbbuilder
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
Ghost Giant swing, and a miss. The Saline tax would be on property owners, so it doesn't matter what income you have, or don't. You WILL pay this tax so long as you own property within that school district. Don't you understand that? This will be my last reply to you. You have seen fit to compare my thinking, and that of many others, to that of a six year old. Why must you continue to deem it important to belittle those who do not agree with you? You continue in the same vein by smearing conservative Christians. Are you the holder of ultimate truth? Do you hold a lock on what is true and what isn't? How can you possibly be so arrogant? You simply do not deserve the time of day that I have unfortunately given you. Goodbye.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
There will always be people who "can't" pay a tax. We as a nation have a remarkable ability to afford the taxes for things we like (e.g., wars and highways) and an equally remarkable ability to be unable to afford the taxes for the things we don't. That said, for some it might be a true statement that they cannot afford higher taxes. But, of course, those people who earn below $50,000 who pay little or no tax have become the conservatives' whipping boy over the last few weeks, esp. on Faux Noise, so don't lay some guilt trip on me about those who cannot afford to pay taxes. In my experience so-called "Christians" who are conservative are far less understanding of the plight of the poor than those who are political and cultural liberals. For others, it is not, it clearly is not a true statement that they cannot afford "higher" taxes (e.g., the guy who goes to Mexico on a family vacation but is otherwise "tapped out" to the point that he cannot afford a $100/year increase in his already falling property taxes). "Tapped out," then, is a relative status, one that is based on personal decisions made by people about their personal finances. The employees of the Saline Public Schools, teachers and otherwise, have made family economic decisions based on promises made by the good people of Saline through their elected officials. Now they are expected to take pay cuts in the thousands of dollars (maybe tens of thousands of dollars) in order to allow the SPS repair buildings when the good people of Saline would not themselves take on a small increase in taxes in order to fund those projects. It is the logic of a six year old. Don't like that judgment? Fine. I don't like making it. I wish that adults acted like adults. Unfortunately, many do not. Good Night and Good Luck
sbbuilder
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
Ghost Must have been that deleted post that I saw since last eve. If you can't recognize the plight of so many, then so be it. If you continue to refuse to open your eyes and admit that people's financial backs are to the wall, and there is simply no more wiggle room, then so be it. If you believe there is always room left to tax people further (I realize that this is an extension, so don't go there), then so be it. I think most people would not agree with you. Lastly, if you continue to post disparaging remarks about someone's intelligence, or maturity, then this conversation is over. That has no place in civil dialogue.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
Nope. Ball's been in your court since 6:04PM last evening. He must have yours (to mix my metaphors). And . . . . Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh !!! "Their purpose", not "there purpose". I owe my 5th Grade grammar teacher a quarter. Good Night and Good Luck
sbbuilder
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
Cat got your tongue?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.
OK--point to you. Some are saying they can't afford a new tax. That, of course, is always said. One poster in this discussion frequently tells us he is "tapped out", yet he has also regaled us with tales of his trip to Mexico and the tens of thousands of dollars he plopped down on a home refi. In the meantime the majority of antis have made clear there purpose was to hurt the SEA. Talk about missing your target. Nose, meet face. Like I said: logic for six-year olds. Good Night and Good Luck
sbbuilder
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
continuing: and this: They have underestimated how much suffering it taking place in the private sector...Many of us could benefit by putting in new furnaces, or wirelessrouters, or new roofs, or new paint jobs on our homes but we are not doing that because we cannot afford it. As someone once wrote: "Facts, people, facts." Back in your court, buddy. And this time, get your facts straight. (and, once again, your backhanded dig about growing up is beneath you.)
sbbuilder
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
OK Ghost, how about this: " When your income will never increase for the rest of your life, this is significant. We are maxed out.: and this: I also think many people in the district do not know how many among themselves are suffering economic turmoil, perhaps with no hope of ever coming out of it in the near future. ...I am budgeting for printer ink for mine and my daughter's printers from a 3/11/11 paycheck. Not kidding. and this: ...I believe that it is time for Saline Schools to look at other ways to cut their budget without asking us, the taxpayers, to bail them out. We are all having to live within our means...
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
Look at all of the comments here about the millage. No one is saying they can't afford it. Almost everyone of them is angry at the SEA and at the SBoE. "We'll show those teachers, by GOD. No money for infrastructure improvements. That'll show 'em" I call that cutting off one's nose. My kids thought that way when they were six years old. But they've grown up now. Good Night and Good Luck
sbbuilder
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
And I looked up examples of 'When you're in a hole, stop digging.' and came up with a map of Saline. When there a a record number of properties foreclosed in Washtenaw County, when there are a record number of short sales, when there are a record number of people on gov. assistance, you call that cutting off one's nose?
zip the cat
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
What the voters need to do now is RECALL all the upper level administrators and the ones who approved the latest sea contract. Clean up your own mess before asking voters to bail you out. Its high time you start living within your budget and with whats in the cookie jar. The voters have spoken,change your ways of spending OUR tax dollars or what you have seen will be just the tip of the iceberg.
mlivesaline
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
What are you doing to support and better the Saline Schools?
local
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
This didn't pass and with the economics of the day, I can understand why. Yes, the teachers contract is up for debate and when their contract ends, they will take a major hit like other districts in the area. (Ann Arbor 2.2% + 3% from state) But when that occurs and teachers begin giving back, the funding from Saline residents still might not be there. Gas prices going up, ability to heat and cool schools will be going up. At some point, the money will run dry, but building needs will never go away. Roofs will need repair, technology will need to be updated, etc... Where is that money coming from? With Snyder beginning to gut school funding, teacher salaries and insurance concessions aren't going to be able to make up the losses. At some point, cuts will be needed. Will parents be okay when AP classes are gone? When athletics and the arts (music, drama, etc..) are no longer available? Transportation is no longer in use? At some point a bond will be necessary and I hope Saline and other districts don't have to cut the things listed above to see the importance of these bonds. In two-three years our economic situation may be worse and the same people who voted no today will probably still vote no even after seeing drastic cuts within the district. Just something to think about.
local
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
jondhall, no not a member of MEA, but parent of AAPS students. I follow this stuff closely because all budget material affects my kids as well. Not necessarily the Saline bond, but the reasons why it was voted down. Teachers in AAPS took concessions and when governor cuts more funding from schools AAPS will be forced to cut again. I am guessing that you expect teachers to continue to take concessions until funding issue is resolved, but when does it stop. I want my kids to have updated technology, I want my kids to compete in athletics and participate in band, etc... Teacher cuts will only go so far, at some point if parents want these things to continue, a bond might be necessary. Saline is different, their teachers need to open up contract and figure it out. But once they do, and funding is still needed, will Saline families then pass a bond. From what I am reading, I don't think they will. Then what?
jondhall
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
Are you a member of MEA?
townie54
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:19 p.m.
look out by maple road and look how they have overbuilt in the last 10 years.Plus the high school campus lhas better sports facilities than EMU.About time they were reigned in......Stop spending like its the 90's.Your their to teackh or learn,not be in the lap of luxury
bruno_uno
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
as i sit here pondering the future of the children, an idea is brought forth. why dont we open up the union bargaining contracts and lower teacher wages and increase contributions to benefits to match the private sector teachers? could the extra money cover the measly 7 or so mils that this covered?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 11:43 a.m.
Yes. Get the teachers to pay for what the cheapskate residents of Saline wouldn't. I'm certain that makes sense in some bizarre universe. Good Night and Good Luck
momofthree
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
yeah, that is a great idea. Oh wait, our school board thought of that however the union leadership refuses to open contracts for discussion. Next.
jondhall
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
Great idea you should run for President , we have a great governor.
local
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
It might help, but concessions alone aren't going to cover the necessary funding. Like i posted earlier, our governor is beginning to gut funding, concessions from teachers aren't going to cover this loss of funding alone. Cuts to programs are coming and I hope parents aren't angry when it affects their children specifically. (athletics, the arts, etc...)
towny
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
Like I said before have the school of choice parents whose kids go to saline school pay to support the schools with there property taxes. I will vote no every time and there are many others who feel the same when they slapped us in the face with school of choice. We who live in this district pay to support these schools. We will be voting again real soon on this issue when they try pushing it down our throats again with a few changes again. They do not understand what NO means. Try tightening up your purse strings I still see much waste in this school system. Open your eyes look at the times we are facing in this michigan economy.
Don Walker
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.
You need to do some research on school funding. The only thing you do to directly support the Saline Schools is with the bond issues or perhaps the library assessment. The majority of the funding comes from the State of Michigan and is collected from income taxes and other revenue. I am not a school of choice parent. They pay taxes as well and the state provides the same amount of funding to Saline as any of our resident children would get. They don't cause a financial burden like you are asserting in your post. You are not paying their education at Saline anymore than you paid their education in their home district. School of choice wasn't a slap in the face. You may not agree with it, but don't place any of your logic on a financial issue, because that isn't an issue. Our schools have a need to tighten their budgets and they have been working to that end. Our union employees need to pay more of their health care costs like the private sector does. Perhaps their salaries need a bit of trimming. But that doesn't mean that there would be enough funding to do all the things that the State and Federal Govt. mandate occurs in our schools.
Ralph
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
Just name that waste! SPORTS = WASTE!
snoopdog
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
The voters have spoken once again and this time by an even wider margin. Hopfeully the BOE and Mr. Graden "get it" this time. The Saline School Board and the SEA have not been good stewards with the taxpayers money and that will have to change if they ever want to see another bond or millage pass. They have underestimated how much suffering it taking place in the private sector. I for one could not believe they were talking about replacing heating systems that were functioning just fine or putting wireless into all the schools. Many of us could benefit by putting in new furnaces, or wireless routers, or new roofs, or new paint jobs on our homes but we are not doing that because we cannot afford it. The cost savings you are looking for can be and will be found in your new contract with the SEA and by outsourcing busing, groundskeeping etc. Good Day
4x4Saline
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.
The only area where people approved the extension was Pittsfield township. Maybe those "no" voters have voted differently if they knew they were going to be driving their kids to school each way everyday...oh and by the way: gas is going up to $5.00/gallon this year!
InsideTheHall
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.
Graden and the teachers union took a whippin and deserved it for being arrogant trying to ramrod this thing down the throats of the people on a cold obsurce day in Februaury when the teachers had the day off to shill and chill at the polls. An inital look at the numbers reveals that once you get past the direct vested interest vote (teachers, spouses, their friends, PTA do gooders) about 1800 votes, this defeat was a landslide of epic proposrtions. Those voters with no direct vested interest broke 90% NO. Did we just observe the first sighting of the Wisconsin boomer-rang?
Don Walker
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
The date for this election was controlled by Michigan law, and the district didn't pick the date to make sure nobody showed-up to vote no. The teachers had a work day, the students were off. Do you really think they wouldn't have voted on a regular school day? Yes, it was defeated. Gloat all you want. But please stop the conspiracy theories and being so negative.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
"Wow. What hate you have in your heart!" Indeed. And how sad. Good Night and Good Luck
Ralph
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Wow. What hate you have in your heart!
Cash
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
This is only the beginning. Remember whether you agree with the new budget proposal or not, senior citizens with a retirement income are facing a 100% tax increase When your income will never increase for the rest of your life, this is significant. And up to 80% of senior citizens vote. They are maxed out.
Brian Kuehn
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
I would be interested in Cash's math computation when she/he calculated the 100% increase in taxes for senior citizens.
mgoblue73
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:02 p.m.
Cash -- taxes wouldn't have increased. Another case of a misinformed voter. Read the proposal -- it's a bond EXTENSION, not a bond INCREASE. Do some research.
Corey
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:19 p.m.
Its really sad that this didn't pass. This wasn't a tax increase people it was a continuation of a measly 7 mills. To see one of the best schools in the state take a cut like this will be hard. If this ends up hurting Saline Schools the home values in Saline will drop. If that is the outcome that the citizens of Saline want, well I guess that's what they'll get. Doesn't make much sense but who said that democracy had to make sense?
Corey
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 3 p.m.
Jimmy, the school district wasn't asking for a millage increase, it was an extension of an already in place millage. Basically, this was a way to defer interest payments on bonds until the economy improves and has the tax revenues from increasing property values to pay towards it. Now, the district is in a position to pay on debt during a time when paying on debt will detriment the operational effectiveness of the district. People are way too short sighted on this issue, its quite sad.
Jimmy McNulty
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
Oooh, the Sky is Falling! This went up for a vote twice, and twice it was defeated. Everyone else has to live within their means, so why is the school district exempt? Also, it's not a "cut" as you suggest, but rather an increase that was not approved.
sbbuilder
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
The potential increase in debt of 22 million ultimately rested in the hands of only 4600 people. Each vote represented 4782 dollars. There is surely power in voting.
Carl Sly
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
The district made a significant error in the last contract negations w/ the teachers. Go back to the union for concessions and the bonding has a greater chance of passing. Carl Sly
Ralph
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
What was the error?
clownfish
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.
it continues to amaze me that people are outraged over other people having a desire to protect their economic interests. What I would ask is: do you think that people should be willing to harm their own economic standards in order to protect collective society? If this is true of teachers, what about those that were in favor of recent tax cuts for the Paris Hilton?
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
I was visiting the school for the little art show and culinary arts they recently had and it appears they sure don't spend much on trash pickup in the school. In the entry way there was a sorts of trash left by I assume students as that is where they were awaiting parent pick up.I didn't see any trash recepticles placed there.
chubabuba
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
ever think that maybe the people using the craft show left their garbage...the school is always immaculate when I've been there (nearly everyday)
iamjustsayin
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 9:50 a.m.
The voters have spoken again. I voted no on this bond extension, I believe that it is time for Saline Schools to look at other ways to cut their budget without asking us, the taxpayers, to bail them out. We all are having to live within our means and it is time for Saline Schools to do the same.
Ralph
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
Cutting sports comes to mind! Hmmmmm!
wch
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:35 a.m.
we all have to live within our means. we all have to make adjustments and choose where and how we spend our own money. governments have to do that as well. school districts must also decide how they are going to allocate their resources. that does not mean that there are worthy projects, deserving programs that might be cut. so be it. the school district must spend with what they are given.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:08 a.m.
I just revisited the article and wonder where the school employees live.....
Ralph
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
Does it matter where they live?
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 6:19 a.m.
"Scot is great at doing that" - I think superintendent Scot Graden really does have the best interests of the district at heart - my opinion. I also think many people in the district do not know how many among themselves are suffering economic turmoil, perhaps with no hope of ever coming out of it in the near future. Saline is a proud and generally very prosperous community but the problems are well hidden in families. We want it "for the kids"; my kids have graduated but I still want it for the kids. We just can't afford it, given shrinking enrollment. I was floored by the over-the-top high school that was built that couldn't even host the prom the first year out, supposedly. If I had reserve funds - I wish I had reserve funds - I'd be dipping into those while trimming the budget. Lots of us are doing that now. I am budgeting for printer ink for mine and my daughter's printers from a 3/11/11 paycheck. Not kidding. Every item needs to be justified in a budget. No surprise expenses unless something else goes. Turnout could have been low because of weather but I bet the 'yes' voters did their best to make it. It was a losing battle.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
Thank you - fortunately the employment/income tide turned for us already but digging out of a hole is a time-consuming process. We are never going back there again; cash only going forward.
jondhall
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
Things will get better, just hang in there a bit!
Jay McNally
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 6:05 a.m.
C'mon Lisa you can do more thorough reporting than this piece of propaganda for the school system. The majority of voters rejected their request for money and you are ignoring the majority of the voters by this slanted article. 1 - Why are you quoting the guy who LOST the election, and not the person/organization that won the election? The spokesperson for WeCantAfforIt is known to the you folks. They dominated the election and certainly have something to say about what the district should be doing. 2 -- A little more accuracy, please, on the cost of the election. It's nominally $22 million. The additional $7 million has been documented the school officials. 3 -- Please, please, demand that the superintendent reveal how much money was spent promoting this election. How much was spent on campaigning, consultants, etc.? How often were laws broken by school staff campaigning for this election. Why not report that the schools had a day off to facilitate campaign for the millage.
mgoblue73
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
Look, A2guy. There was only one player in this fight - either you voted 'yes' for the bond or 'no'. Nobody won by voting no. It's going to cost more money down the road. This was the only window of opportunity to extend the bond without raising taxes. But we will have to wait until everything breaks before we raise taxes and pass a future bond. Whatever.
average joe
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 11:47 a.m.
If it's like bond extensions in other districts, the 'promotional' costs are paid for by the architect/contractor who would have been hired to do the job if the bond passed, and would have been added on to the cost of the project.
15crown00
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:50 a.m.
it amazes me but that's the way it goes these day.perhaps the roofs and the walls need to fall in to get this thing passed.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:33 a.m.
We spend more per child already than any country in the world. Money does not add up to a better education. But go ahead and make unfounded accusations - it just makes it all the more easy to vote against these proposals. Hopefully the school board understands now that it's reckless to spend money today that our children will need tomorrow.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
I think you're mistaking me with someone else, or are confusing a criticism of Obamacare with support for the current system.
clownfish
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
This is an interesting comment from Macabre. In the past he has defended the current medical delivery system in this country, a system that spends almost 2 times what other countries spend, for substandard results. apparently money does add up to a "better" health care system, one that delivers profits at a high rate, but does not add up to a better education system. I would be interested to read a rationalization of this discrepancy.
johnnya2
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 6:04 a.m.
We spend more than any country in the military budget and on health care. That money did not stop terrorist attacks and has proven to be a horrible health care system based on results. In fact, our schools rank higher in national scoring than our health care system does. The problem is the countries we rank lower in education in, do not have a history making it ILLEGAL to educate a certain race of people and also have a more homogenized society.
Buster W.
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5 a.m.
Cheryl Law said she voted in favor of the bond. "I definitely voted yes," she after casting her vote at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds Tuesday afternoon. "We moved to Saline for the school district. I'm here to support the renewal." A big reason I reside in Saline is because of the schools, too. But that doesn't mean I automatically vote "yes" for every proposal that is presented to me!
magnumpi
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
really, bruno, let's just "sneak" it in since this didn't work?
bruno_uno
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 5:25 a.m.
buster, if you cared for the children of the world you would have voted yes....now they will suffer....when is the next election for us to vote again on this millage? perhaps mix it into the general election and we will be more successful at getting passed? go teachers!
bruno_uno
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 : 4:55 a.m.
I can not believe this did not pass, what about our children?