| Board of Education Meeting; March 6, 2006 Your thoughts | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 5 2006, 11:27 AM (7,548 Views) | |
| Grant1 | Mar 7 2006, 08:44 AM Post #16 |
We have just begun to fight!
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I had to leave after the initial speakers... I know Steve Futrell asked for any of the LI supporters who were going to be speaking to please provide the data and facts as to why they support this plan. Did any of the speakers provide any facts or data justifying this plan? I know I heard how wonderful our board is, and how other peoples kids have adjusted to changes with the first 2 supporters, but these are not data or facts to support the LI, they are personal observations and accolades. Did any LI supporters provide and facts or data justifying this plan? |
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| 49chevy | Mar 7 2006, 08:48 AM Post #17 |
Answers questioned
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In my opinion, the teachers who spoke in favor are equal to a paid political advertisement...... |
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| DTEDad | Mar 7 2006, 08:49 AM Post #18 |
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5th Grade
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How was the meeting? Were they rude again as someone posted they were last meeting? Were their a lot of people that were able to make it out beforehand to picket? I'm kinda new to this, as I just started following after talking to someone collecting signatures at Kroger on Saturday, but after looking at the demographics committee website it appearred that all three plans would have saved about the same amount of money? Has confronted that issue and asked the board why they couldn't choose one of those instead... with so much opposition to this an all? |
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| NFarquharson | Mar 7 2006, 09:03 AM Post #19 |
Principal
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As to the stewardship issue, I think that the idea tha LPS is on the brink of receivership is quite an exaggeration. I do understand that the fund balance is low. It appears to me as I look at the district's own financial data, we have consistantly spent more than the revenue we brought in for the last decade. Both the revenue and the expenses appear to have risen consistanty over the past decade, so I am not at all clear where this alleged $19 million in cuts is. I would like to see more detail on that. It is also clear to me that most districts in our state carry a significant amount of debt. LPS could easly borrow money to avoid receivership. I hardley thiink we are on the brink of receivership. Didn't I hear at a recent meeting that our bond rating had just improved? Here is some data about debt in Michigan school districts. http://www.schoolmatters.com/App/SES/SPSSe...ID=784&Site=pes |
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| c3hull | Mar 7 2006, 09:04 AM Post #20 |
Principal
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Of course there were NO FACTS as to why the LI is beneficial to our children and their academic achievement. I am so sick and tired of the majority of LPS trying to say this will work, change is a necessary part of life, etc. What the heck are they rambling on about! NOTHING! If there was ONE single FACT to explain any educational benefit, believe me, we would have heard it a thousand times over by now! This plan was soley designed to benefit 1-2% of people in our community, NOT our community as a whole in mind. I am still in shock the BOE had the nerve and arrogance to shove this plan down our throats! Thinking about this is what helps motivate me everyday to put forth more effort towards the RECALL of these people who view themselves as being superior to the overwhelming majority of our community. Shame on them! Half of the BOE members do NOT even have an Associate's degree and they are making huge decisions that involve several areas that should have used "OUTSIDE" consultation. Oh, I forgot, the word "OUTSIDE" is taboo w/LPS and our BOE. They believe sitting on the BOE or working in Central Office, means they must have knowledge in multiple areas and specialties. A plan making so many drastic and impactful changes should have, and could have professional consultations. Why didn't they ask for outside, expert advise? Because everyone they consulted with would have told them NOT to do this! |
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| DTEDad | Mar 7 2006, 09:08 AM Post #21 |
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5th Grade
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Wow, are you saying that LPS should borrow money to pay their Bills?! I would not be in favor of that. My wife and I leave within our means and I think it is responsible to expect governmental bodies to do the same. |
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| NFarquharson | Mar 7 2006, 09:08 AM Post #22 |
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Principal
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Many said the same old thing about they believe this is the best plan because it allows us to bring back the specials that were cut. JAM said (paraphrasing) she is a trustee and that means a "steward" for the district. As a steward she must watch out for the financial stability of the district. She said $7 million in the fund balance is not much money and LPS is on the brink of receivership. The BOE all had to "sign paperwork" in case we had to take out a loan to keep operating. She then concluded by saying that if you were listening, you could no longer say that you have not heard any good reasons for supporting the LI. |
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| klezy99 | Mar 7 2006, 09:11 AM Post #23 |
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Principal
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I watched the BOE last night, and everybody was respectful, nobody was rude at all. After listening to JAM which is so annoying, she has me believing that LPS is very, very broke.. If anyone that has not decided if they are a supporter of opposer has probably made their mind up...the way she went on and on about no money and we dont want to use the 1/3 of kids fund( whatever that was I didnt quite get that) anyway she will have them all thinking we are broke..I hope someone can look into this are. Are we that broke? |
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| Grant1 | Mar 7 2006, 09:14 AM Post #24 |
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We have just begun to fight!
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But 1% of the budget, which cannot be substatiated, and is not validated by the LPS auditing firm, will not keep them out of the kind of financial situation that they are painting a picture of, it will only prolong the inevitable. This is still not data, facts, and justification for the LI plan. It is a short term band aid at the cost of an entire community. The real savings and cost reductions need to be valid long term fixes that do not disrupt an entire community. The savings are there to be had in so many other ways, it wouold just take a Administration and a BOE that is willing to do so. |
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| c3hull | Mar 7 2006, 09:16 AM Post #25 |
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Principal
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Considering that LPS spends less than 50% on "instruction" I don't believe for a minute there aren't a few jobs that could be cut. In addition, LPS has several areas that use completely outdated and non cost efficient practices. They are the second largest employers in Livonia, get with the times and help our schools save money. Closing 7 schools is NOT they only way to save 1% of the $160,000,000. Give me a break! These BOE members need to go! |
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| c3hull | Mar 7 2006, 09:20 AM Post #26 |
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Principal
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BTW, all but one person who spoke at the BOE last night in support of the LI was an employee of LPS. How ironic! |
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| cmic | Mar 7 2006, 09:24 AM Post #27 |
Principal
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Let's be fair. Gr1 is entitled to her opinion and she can certainly disagree without being ridiculed, can't she? She doesn't want to sign a petition because she doesn't agree with it. She doesn't want to donate money to support a cause she doesn't believe in. Why would this even be brought up? I get as frustrated as the next person but the people we are slamming are some of our good friends and neighbors. |
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| DTEDad | Mar 7 2006, 09:25 AM Post #28 |
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5th Grade
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Wow, REALLY! What are those areas? |
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| klezy99 | Mar 7 2006, 09:27 AM Post #29 |
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Principal
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Exactly, just like paid advertisement... Like they are going to go against their boss on TV, Oh to the supporters, I am still waiting for facts how this whole LI is going to be good for the kids,, I have read not one.. Why cant you come up with any legitimate reasons,, Oh because their is none.. Why dont you volunteer your time to the recall, and fundraisers,, and help us. |
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| Michelebel | Mar 7 2006, 09:36 AM Post #30 |
Principal
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klezy99--could you please stop asking people who are obviously supportive of the LI to donate money or sign a petition??? Your sarcasm is really off the mark, and making the rest of us, who are trying to be respectful and courteous, look bad. Post your comments, but stop critizing and bashing people. |
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