- November 23, 2024
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School Board’s goal seems to be to protect the status quo
Dear Editor:
I attended one of the five simultaneous meetings where the School Board representative discussed the issue of voting for the new tax. There were only a disappointing half-dozen attendees. Maybe the other four meetings were better attended. Our representative was School Board Chairman Andy Dance.
Many issues were discussed. Mostly, the answers to the public’s questions were, like any other political interview, off the mark or non-definitive.
When asked about the number of teachers, direct administrators and custodial staff compared with the number of other personnel, there was only an evasive answer, like we shouldn’t have that information.
When asked if the 45 minutes could not be reinstated without the new tax, by eliminating other waste or nonessential programs, the answer was again evasive.
When asked if there were not other programs that could be cut for savings, Mr. Dance referred to some programs including the string orchestra as an example. I have nothing against string orchestras or the students who want to learn such. However, it was pointed out the like many other programs, this one benefits few students. Parents of these students could support these activities, and the money saved could be used to help reinstate the 45 minutes for all students.
All in all, it is very obvious that the School Board is, like all political entities, very biased toward maintaining all existing programs, maintaining the current employment levels and does not have their No. 1 priority on teaching the fundamentals and graduating smarter students.
Without better justification, I will have to vote against the new tax.
Jesse Stoner
Palm Coast
Skip dinner and a move one night and help 12,000 students
Dear Editor:
I, like so many residents of Flagler County, am retired and have no children or grandchildren attending school in the county. I am, however, glad that I am not afflicted with the condition that so many retired citizens seem to have.
I attended public schools in Pennsylvania, where I also graduated from a public college. This education, which was paid for by all the taxpayers in my county and state allowed me to become a productive member of society and retire to Florida. Now that I am enjoying the benefits of retirement living in Florida, I am obligated here, just as I would have been had I stayed in Pennsylvania, to support this school system.
Based on my 2012 tax bill, the failure of the tax proposal will save me approximately $44 this year, if assessments remain the same. For $44, I could get dinner for two at Olive Garden and a movie. Or I could add $44 to my 2013 tax bill and ensure 12,000 children have 45 minutes of additional education each day. This would also enable the sheriff to provide resource officers in the grade schools, improve maintenance and ensure we meet the many mandates from the federal and state government.
I have read many arguments against this tax based on what teachers and administrators make and how the money is being spent. This election is not a referendum on the School Board or the administration. This is about the students and what type of education we want to provide for our future leaders in Flagler County.
We owe them the best education possible, just like our parents and grandparents provided for us with their tax dollars. Skip dinner and a movie out one night and vote yes on June 7.
Al Hanulik
Palm Coast
Education has deteriorated across the country
Dear Editor:
I have been amazed and puzzled at the school systems, not only in Flagler County, but across our nation, and their inability to teach our children basic skills. The focus in education has changed from teaching our children the basics and how to think for themselves, to how can the school system present itself as successful via national tests, so it can qualify for additional state and federal funding.
My children graduated from the public school system 5-15 years ago. I noticed that what was taught to our oldest child was not taught to our youngest. For example, basic math skills and required memorization of times tables were and is no longer required because the schools allow our children to use calculators.
It is a shame that our country, which at one time led the world in educating children, has evolved to the state it is in today. We have traded time-honored education techniques that worked successfully for hundreds of years, and instead we have been training generations of button pushers. All to secure the employment of high priced administrators. Shame on us for allowing this to happen!
Jay Wooldridge
Palm Coast
Not enough focus on cuts at the administrative level
Dear Editor:
Kudos to School Board member Andy Dance for having the common sense and the courage to suggest that the focus of the budget woes also be directed toward the operational structure of the Flagler County School District. Many of the Flagler County voters I talk to echo that sentiment, myself included.
We believe that the spotlight and magnifying glass has been solely on the schools side of the equation and practically none on the administration side, including the Government Services Building and the School Board and staff.
Most don't believe that sequestration is the root of all evil and most don't believe that spending upwards of $500,000 for police in all the schools on a 1% or less chance of a Sandy Hook incident happening here is a good "investment" of taxpayer money.
Now if you leveled with voters by stating that for the past seven years, property values have been falling and with that so has revenue — that is a better argument. Couple that with property tax delinquency or default and the state cutting funding for schools for the last seven years as well, and you start moving the conversation. Or if you had split the .5 mills into two .25 proposals you would have twice the chance at something instead of one chance at nothing.
I am tired of department heads making decisions that affect what happens in the classrooms when they have been out of or haven't observed what happens in a classroom in an extraordinary long time. I wonder if Ms. Umpenhour will be the one to explain to a parent if one of our "runners" from one of the exceptional student education classes injures themselves or someone else because budgets cuts have understaffed our most important staffing areas. I believe she has seriously affected her effectiveness in directing the remaining paraprofessionals that she will supervise.
If we keep electing the same people every election cycle, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. Get out and vote!
Paul Anderson
Palm Coast
