Writing a blog the other day after reading Sarah Janssen's article about Wendy sobbing about her "dismal" buildings, was not a good idea. Better to try be objective.
Twenty or so years ago the district agreed to spend additional money for a "racial balance" fund to improve the educational fortunes of the district's black kids. That spending had to be "tax neutral" (no property tax increase) so they took it from the capital fund which was used to fix, upgrade, remodel the buildings. Over the years roughly $150 MM was diverted from the buildings about 2/3 of it to hire more teachers. The results were predictable. The buildings suffered, although it's hard to say how much, and the money did nothing to lower the achievement gap.
Four years ago the district tried to get $500 MM do "fix" the building. Why $500 MM you ask? Well why not? "This is not a wish list". Pick a number and as long as you have a pretense maybe taxpayers will fall for it. Well they didn't, Wendy got nothing and the buildings are still (supposedly) a problem. We'll just have to take their and Karen Frisco's word for that word for it. So now, in the new age of ballot referendums (instead of remonstrances) a housing collapse and enormous government debt they're revisiting the topic.
I have no clue what they're going to ask for. Whatever it is, the problem will resurface again as long as money is being diverted from capital projects to keep more teachers employed for "racial balance". I don't necessarily have a problem with the extra teachers even though they have totally failed in their original objective. But what they're doing is not "tax neutral". Sooner or later we will get another tab for building repairs. If you want to keep those teachers, then ask for that on another referendum like SAC did. And when you do that let's air out the "racial balance" issue. That discussion is long overdue.
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8 comments:
Many leaders of the black community would prefer to drop the racial balance fiasco and go back to neighborhood schools. The cross town busing has hurt their neighborhoods terribly !!
Then those leaders should have a talk with Wendy.
Believe me, we've tried. Dr. Robinson will not give the idea the time of day.
So who are these leaders and why aren't they willing to challenge Wendy publicly? Are they more concerned about their neighborhoods and their kids education or do they have another priority?
It seems to me that if the black community had wanted changes at FWCS they would have enough sway to get them. So I have to conclude that they don't.
Well, naturally, they will be asking for even more the next time. And if you wonder who will be blamed for this, just think back a few months ago when the members of City Council who tried to exercise their duty by asking prudent questions about the cost of King Henry’s new palace were then blamed for the increased cost that resulted from the administration’s refusal to act responsibly.
I can see the morning newspaper’s headlines already - “Code Blue obstruction causes FWCS to request more money.”
Actually, as GiaQuinta pointed out, construction costs have come down in the last two years. Wendy can get more "not a wish list" for the buck. She hasn't called to thank me though.
Evert-the black community resists attacking Wendy publicly for the simple reason that she is the highest ranking "public servant" in Allen County (or surrounding counties).They are torn between criticizing the leading role model for their kids and hating the quality of the education they and other kids get and what it does to their communities.A tough situation but they are the only ones who can speak up from a practical matter.Don't you remember being dubbed a racist because of your objection to rebuilding inner city schools just because the education product was so bad??
If that's their choice, then they and their kids will have to suffer the consequences. But they deserve no sympathy.
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