Four area districts approve referendums

Neal Y.
Worthington, MN     11/04/2009 10:13 PM

I think most school athletes in almost every school district in Minnesota does have to pay a athletic fee to play sports now. That does not cover the expence totally, but at least it covers some. We could be like a lot of schools in California and have no sports or other curriculars. If it matters I vote a informed Ballot, meaning I do look at parties!

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Jay H.
11/04/2009 8:19 PM

Mr. N. I was never asked for my town. Does it matter? I'm proud to say that I'm a Reagan Conservative. Extracurriculars? That's outside the school day. Yes, we have paid our extracurricular fees every year.

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Jay H.
11/04/2009 7:29 PM

Matthew, I appreciate your response. Your initial comment was about "wasting money" in public schools. The local school district has nothing to do with colleges. Your comment: "I know people that teach on the college level. There are days during the week when they DO NOT TEACH any classes and days when they may teach 3 hours a day." has absolutely nothing to so with local school district referendum or my comment. Also, I encouraged you to learn more about your local schools by becoming involved in a classroom. This allows a person to see first hand the day to day operations of the school and classroom. As far as being volunteering for Big Brothers and Sisters. I commend and admire you. However, that is off the topic of identifying school waste.

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Neal Y.
Worthington, MN     11/04/2009 7:07 PM

Teachers hands are tied by Red Tape no matter what they do. It is great that these referendums passed; but I do think when a school gets to small it is time to close down that school or think of a new way of teachig some classes by internet to save a buck or two.

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Matthew R.
New Market, MN     11/04/2009 4:27 PM

To Mr Jay H, I know 2 people that are teachers in smaller school districts BBE to be exact. Maybe they do not know what they are talking they are only involved in as their career as to how school districts waste money. I know people that are teachers that are in a district of somewhat similiar size to Worthington (Willmar). I know people that teach on the college level. There are days during the week when they DO NOT TEACH any classes and days when they may teach 3 hours a day. That is not waste though. These are teachers telling me this stuff. But I am sure they are wrong because they are not LIBERAL teachers. I do volunteer, with Big Brother Big Sister in the Twin Cities. I volunteer my time with a 9 year old black kid that has watched his step dad beat his mother before his eyes. I take him to ballgames, hang out with him doing what ever he wants to do. I volunteered to coach his little league team this summer. His grandfather thanked me the first night I met him because there were people before me that were not comfortable with handling his situation. Therefore I do not need to hear you tell me what to do with my time.

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Jay H.
11/04/2009 3:30 PM

Matthew, I'm curious as to what you mean by "finding ways to waste money." There are federal and state mandates that the local districts have no control over. The districts are obligated to conform to the mandate. If you feel that money is being wasted, I suggest that you go to your local school district office and discuss your concern with the superintendent or the finance personal. Schools are public and the books regarding finances are open to public review. While you are at it, find a school, call the principal and ask to come in and volunteer some of your time. Then I'd like to hear from you about the waste. My local school district is looking to cut ten million dollars or more from next year's budget. I doubt that you'll find the waste that you refer to. I'm glad that referendums were passed when I was growing up in Worthington, I'm glad that referendums were passed while my son is in school and I'll continue to support referendums in the future.

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Dan B.
Fairmont, MN     11/04/2009 3:15 PM

The local districts are forced to go out for money because Pawlenty is sticking it to them by changing the funding formulas. 4 out of every 5 education dollars come from the state, when they start screwing with the formulas the local districts are left holding the bag.

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Matthew R.
New Market, MN     11/04/2009 1:17 PM

FYI Kim I am from Fulda and had I graduated hs there my class was around 55 or when they graduated. I graduated out in PA in the second smallest enrollment in the state. My graduating class was 40 so I am well aware of 'small town' schools and politics. The fact remains that schools never have enough money, they always 'find' ways to come back to the tax payer and request more money.

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Lisa A.
Windom, MN     11/04/2009 10:52 AM

So, do the kids who are here illegally get counted for this, too? (Don't bother to answer, we all know already that it's an affirmative). As a homeowner I wouldn't be none too pleased with having my taxes raised to help educate some kid who doesn't belong here in the first place.

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Kim C.
Lakefield, MN     11/04/2009 10:39 AM

It is very easy for someone like in the first comment to voice an opinion when you are from an area of the cities that has over 11000 kids in your school, but still have to get approx. 45% of your money for other sources than the state. I commend our area as we truly know the value of education in a small area. Not sure exactly what state you live in or country for that manner, but for several years it is education that has taken the hit from the government!!!

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