Re: Tomorrow please vote yes

[Gerald Weitz <cweitz@moscow.com>]

I concur with Linda's communication.  Reform will be
the challenge.

If one lives in a house and the foundation is slowly failing it is
rather difficult to notice the process as an insider until there is a
crisis.  The district has lost about 400 students, has lost
funding, has unbelievable internal conflicts, does not educate equally,
hardly makes use of waiting community resources (Business and the
University),  had an unfavorable student graduation exit interview
conducted by the Lewiston Tribune, has conflicts over facilities, has had
numerous boards and administrations, and is stuck in the status
quo.  Nationally, the issues are mirrored

It is more difficult to repair/replace the foundation while one lives
in the house.  (not impossible).  Therefore one sees
the call for vouchers, privatizing administrations (Edison Schools in
Philadelphia), Charters, flight to the privates, assessments, the call
for more funding,  International Comparisons, Home Schooling, etc.

Hence, would it not have been better to have all the supplemental levy
brought back to the patronage on a yearly basis and allow our community
to develop the best public school system in the US.  A school that
is organized for every student's success college bound or not-- with a
rich, varied, and challenging curriculum....Make it motivational,
accountable, and technologically advanced for our rapidly changing
world.  

My biggest fear is apathy, viewing the district outcomes in local
context, and the lack of interest generated by the 1992 indefinite levy
until there exists a tremendous crisis. Further, there are conflicting
attorney general's opinions on the legality of running  the
indefinite and having to return to the year to year format.  The law
does not give direction nor resolution.  Linda, you could be very
instrumental with your expertise.  A yes vote tomorrow is the wise
choice.  Thank You
Jerry          


At 07:58 AM 04/22/2002 -0700, Linda Pall wrote:
> Dear
> Visionaries and CQE members,
>  
> I wanted to thank all of you for your
> interest, concern and work for progressive school policies in Moscow. A
> special thank you should go to school teachers and staff who have
> maintained their usual caring, professional stance as they work for our
> children during this difficult budgetary time.
>  
> Tomorrow we vote at the Junior High
> Fieldhouse to "say yes to kids," as the attractive yellow signs
> have trumpeted, like the waving daffodils in my garden. This has been a
> very positive, information-focused campaign and all of the hard workers
> should be commended.
>  
> Yesterday, some of us were on the phones
> thanking supporters for their efforts and reminding people to vote
> Tuesday. I can only say that it was tremendously encouraging to talk to
> people and get feedback that focused on the future and improved
> communication and policy making in the School District.
>  
> Moscow still supports its children, its
> teachers and its schools... we have work to do and reform is tough. After
> this levy effort, which I certainly hope will be a resounding
> "Yes!" vote, please do not go back to business as usual.
>  
> Let's make "the usual" a true
> outreach to the entire community and get involved in public education! It
> is a critical link to the future and an essential part of our democracy.
>  
> All the best,
> Linda Pall