Since we don't have answers to our many questions, I don't know how anyone could give an answer to this poll. Who wouldn't want to save $1 million, but is that the real amount that would be saved.
I think this poll should have waited until after the questions were answered.
The poll is current now, timely now, so I can't think of a better time to ask it.
Somebody on Facebook said they thought the poll doesn't reflect the majority opinion. That is, um, illogical. What parents need to look at is this probably does reflect the majority opinion.
A lot of people connected to local schools thought the astroturf vote would pass and polls on The Batavian didn't reflect the majority opinion, and then the proposal went down in flames.
Opponents of consolidation need to consider that a great number of people in this community don't have children in school. They're looking more at their tax bill than they are the value of small classes or "community schools."
Another way of looking at the poll is it reflects how a lot of people are thinking about the issue now and give opponents of consolidation what they're up against and how they might go about either changing community opinion or at least making a strong enough argument to the board to overcome what might be a majority opinion in favor of consolidation.
What you are not seeing here is that you are implying that there is a guaranteed savings of $1,000,000 by adopting the current proposals. The proposals do not include the additional transportation cost or many other items that have resulted in a large number of questions. I think a more timely poll question would be "Has the school administration and board thoroughly thought out the financial impact of the proposed consolidation"
I would not be surprised if a lot of people that took this poll responded yes just because of the $1,000,000 amount. Some of these people have no idea what is going on, other than the story that what written right before the poll.
I am very happy to see conversation on this issue and I hope that there is a great deal of dialogue on this site and others. I just think the community should have the complete, fully-told story before they make votes similar to this.
There are parents and concerned residents that want these answers to make informed decisions since it does effect the future of the community.
This board has been on a building binge for the last several years in the face of declining enrollments. As part of the PR to get the voters to support those proposals, it was always stated that (in so many words) "this won't cost the taxpayers a nickel".
Ya know what?! Those buildings don't get heated, and cooled and maintained for free! That part of it costs real money.
Now, with the "assistance" of the 2% property tax cap, the chickens have come home to roost.
I suppose if I had a young family I might feel differently and I can understand those that do feel this way, but I've been there....done that. In a few weeks, I'm going to be paying a school tax bill that will be in the neighborhood of $2800. To be frank, I can't really afford that, but I'll find a way to pay it. This district has got to find a way to start cutting costs and if consolidation of the elementary schools is one piece of the puzzle, I'm all for it.
Oh, and by the way....how about the board sells the property on North St and puts it back on the tax rolls. Do you think for one second that some developer isn't licking his chops over that piece of property?
Since we don't have answers
Since we don't have answers to our many questions, I don't know how anyone could give an answer to this poll. Who wouldn't want to save $1 million, but is that the real amount that would be saved.
I think this poll should have waited until after the questions were answered.
The poll is current now,
The poll is current now, timely now, so I can't think of a better time to ask it.
Somebody on Facebook said they thought the poll doesn't reflect the majority opinion. That is, um, illogical. What parents need to look at is this probably does reflect the majority opinion.
A lot of people connected to local schools thought the astroturf vote would pass and polls on The Batavian didn't reflect the majority opinion, and then the proposal went down in flames.
Opponents of consolidation need to consider that a great number of people in this community don't have children in school. They're looking more at their tax bill than they are the value of small classes or "community schools."
Another way of looking at the poll is it reflects how a lot of people are thinking about the issue now and give opponents of consolidation what they're up against and how they might go about either changing community opinion or at least making a strong enough argument to the board to overcome what might be a majority opinion in favor of consolidation.
What you are not seeing here
What you are not seeing here is that you are implying that there is a guaranteed savings of $1,000,000 by adopting the current proposals. The proposals do not include the additional transportation cost or many other items that have resulted in a large number of questions. I think a more timely poll question would be "Has the school administration and board thoroughly thought out the financial impact of the proposed consolidation"
I would not be surprised if a lot of people that took this poll responded yes just because of the $1,000,000 amount. Some of these people have no idea what is going on, other than the story that what written right before the poll.
I am very happy to see conversation on this issue and I hope that there is a great deal of dialogue on this site and others. I just think the community should have the complete, fully-told story before they make votes similar to this.
There are parents and concerned residents that want these answers to make informed decisions since it does effect the future of the community.
This board has been on a
This board has been on a building binge for the last several years in the face of declining enrollments. As part of the PR to get the voters to support those proposals, it was always stated that (in so many words) "this won't cost the taxpayers a nickel".
Ya know what?! Those buildings don't get heated, and cooled and maintained for free! That part of it costs real money.
Now, with the "assistance" of the 2% property tax cap, the chickens have come home to roost.
I suppose if I had a young family I might feel differently and I can understand those that do feel this way, but I've been there....done that. In a few weeks, I'm going to be paying a school tax bill that will be in the neighborhood of $2800. To be frank, I can't really afford that, but I'll find a way to pay it. This district has got to find a way to start cutting costs and if consolidation of the elementary schools is one piece of the puzzle, I'm all for it.
Oh, and by the way....how about the board sells the property on North St and puts it back on the tax rolls. Do you think for one second that some developer isn't licking his chops over that piece of property?