Letter: School leaders, expand vision
How can a school community reject more than $31 million in building upgrades at a mere cost of $85 for a taxpayer who owns a $250,000 home? East Greenbush residents did just that in a recent capital projects vote ("East Greenbush voters reject $31.65M project," Dec. 5). The message in this vote is not "difficult financial times;" it is lack of community trust and respect for the leadership of the district.
The school community has grown tired of the threats of teacher layoffs, the elimination of classes and the possibility of cutting sports (but never administrative consolidation to reduce costs) made annually to the residents as part of a gun-to-the-head-of-taxpayers mentality to steal a "yes" vote for the school budget.
Residents, especially those with school-age children, succumb to such threats when arrogantly offered little choice but to vote yes. But the capital projects proposal was different. District leaders had to present this proposal without the usual threats to decimate school programs if voters did not approve it. If the administrative leaders lived in the district, they would have sensed the outcome was predictable. I heard about the growing contingent of no votes at our YMCA, area supermarkets, community soccer games and local restaurants.
East Greenbush residents realize people educate children, not improved and updated buildings. A caring staff, including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria and maintenance workers, in daily contact with students, is the force that guides our children through their days and keeps them safe.
Perhaps the real community message here is, more than our school buildings, what needs to be updated and improved is the perceived limited vision, negative tone and questionable competence of our school leadership.
GREGG WEINLEIN
East Greenbush
greggw97@aol.com
(Leave a comment, what do you think about the community's rejection of the building upgrades?)
(Leave a comment, what do you think about the community's rejection of the building upgrades?)
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