Citizen voters when is enough enough?
For the past 23 years while living in Moniteau County it is always a wonderment to me that every few years, seems more like every year, the school board puts before the voters/citizens another "we want' this for the school district. Why is there never a ballot offered for just the school districts needs?
It appears school boards all act under the same premise, being a collective group that should never show any dissatisfaction or separation amongst themselves with propositions involving the school district. I only recall one school board member over the years stepping out of this cluster. Boy, did she pay the price.
Where is the school boards obligation to the citizens of the California R-I School District in this equation? Lost in the contrived idea that what the school district wants, not needs, they will attain it, taxpayers can be forced to give us what we want. Don't get it this year, try next year, the voters will finally yield.
Four hundred thousand dollars is the amount of tax payers money the board is now demanding the voters fork over for the school district's wants in the 08 April 2014 election.
Break down of the $4,000,000: $1.8 million total demand to build a new football field with artificial turf that will last 10 years and then has to be replaced at a cost of over $650,000. Where is the need? Oh, the old field is outdated, please give the taxpayers a break for once.
This is a prime example of no proper maintenance to the existing bleachers and structure at the present football field. Refuse to maintain a structure as needed, it eventually falls to ruin. Ah, the taxpayers will give us a new one. Remember folks this not college football.
$1.8 million is an absurd want, not need to add 5,500 square feet of additional space to the original weight room building, which incidentally was never given to the district by the taxpayers as they voted it down a few smart times. The existing building was finally donated to the district with one hitch, the taxpayers are now hooked to maintain the building without a vote. Wonderful.
Energy saving $1.1 million, updates to buildings, this expensive cost upgrade by reports will be recouped by the district in 15 years. In 15 years will it have to be done again? You know it will. One problem I see here is wanting a complete air conditioning system for the high school gym. Why? Take from one building for another, then what next year? Oh, the middle school gym now needs air conditioning? Wow! How frustrating.
I certainly agree there are a few items within this $1.1 million ballot request that are needed. Additions to the existing Ag buildings, student enrollment has doubled in the Ag program. Normal maintenance, replace an old boiler, updating of showers, bathrooms, flooring. Security systems, etc.
These understandably are needed items to maintain the buildings and safety of the students. Then again the district seems to have a total lack of maintaining buildings until they need to be replaced. This certainly appears the way it has been done in the past.
So the question to the voters, are we smart enough to separate the needs of the district versus the ridiculous listed wants? I believe each voter is very capable to make this determination.
Finally, if it's not a tax decrease, it certainly is a tax increase. Right?
Appreciate,
Chuck Rhodes,
California