School Boards Gone Wild!

I'm sure many of you are aware of the videos of "Girls Gone Wild". These are videos of young women on spring breaks, who after drinking voluminous amounts of alcohol, release their inhibitions and exhibit behavior which their parents most certainly disapprove. When the girls sober up, see the videos, many of them are aghast and remorseful. I'm wondering if many of the school districts around the country are in a financial drunken stupor.

I read an American Thinker posting today and realized poor spending decisions are being made by school boards across the nation, not just here in Missouri. We blogged a couple of days ago about the two bond proposals the Kirkwood School District will place before voters in November and you can find here:

http://missourieducationwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/07/is-this-school-board-of-facilitators-or.html

The basic arguments against these proposals are: we don't need them (especially in a time of a severe recession and high unemployment) and the Board should have exercised its duty to protect the financial health of the district, not bow to special interests. If you watched the video with the original blog, you probably will have noted the members believed these proposals will provide educational importance.

Let's read what's happening in the LA school system:

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/07/form_and_unions_trump_students.html

This school district looks like the Kirkwood School District on steroids. Three newly constructed schools are facing cost overruns for a total cost of $578,000,000.00. For three schools with a population of just less than Kirkwood District, it is no wonder citizens may not be pleased with the fiduciary decisions of this Board.

The Kirkwood School District does not have the same problems as the LA district, which has a high poverty rate and high teacher turnover. The question germane to both districts is "what is the wise use of taxpayer funds"? The argument raised by the author is the money in LA should be spent on teachers:

"So what is most important in the education of our children? The LA times writes: ...a building doesn't drive academic progress. New campuses are sprouting like weeds in parts of Los Angeles where student test scores are still stuck in the mud. It's no secret that the most important factor in student success is an excellent teacher."

Even the LA Times doesn't buy the argument students need the finest physical environment for optimum learning. The author continues:

"And talk to the kids who beat the odds, who rise from tough circumstances and head to college. They won't thank the skylights or the curving stair walls or the pricey garage. They'll tell you about the teachers who turned them on to poetry, demystified geometry, made history come alive."

I agree. In Kirkwood District's case, the students won't care about an aquatic center, astroturfed sports fields, or the fact they may not have attended kindergarten at their home elementary school. They will thank their teachers, who, according to our district, are some of the finest in the area. They are highly paid, as they received 4.5% raises each year over the last two years in this recession. I expect the district will ask for a higher operating levy to raise their salaries again this year. Combine that with the need to also raise taxes to pay for the maintenance and staffing for the new additions, and we'll be in a financial nightmare. This is occurring in the era of approximately 10% unemployment, with financial experts believing the real unemployment numbers are closer to 17%.

Don't spend of millions of taxpayer dollars that will not impact the test scores of our students. We don't need to be a miniature version of the LA school debacle. Watch your own district to be sure it doesn't follow LA's lead. Steer your district away from the drinking parties and tell them to sober up.

A Musical Offering for Arne Duncan and Department of Education

I love to post appropriate musical titles with blogs! I hope you enjoy today's selection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzuRxco4L-A&feature=related

I am dedicating this song to the Department of Education and Arne Duncan: "I hear you knocking, but you can't come in...I hear you knocking, go back where you've been...."


If you have been following the postings on this site, you are aware we are not in favor of common core standards. We are opposed not so much to the idea of standards, we are opposed to national standards. You may ask, why would we be opposed to the Federal government controlling every aspect of our schools?



If we study the facts, when a governmental agency becomes too large, it becomes ineffective. We read about the inefficiencies, corruption, lack of attention, and accountability in the VA Hospital services, Fannie and Freddie, Social Security, just to name a few agencies not known for their wise use of taxpayer money. Cash for Clunkers was a failure and the stimulus funding has been a waste of a tremendous amount of taxpayer money. Perhaps it has helped the government sector in terms of jobs, but the private sector continues to languish.



Let's look at what's been happening in the educational realm. The Federal government has tremendously increased its educational spending over the last 40 years. Here is a previous Missouri Education Watchdog posting with the numbers and graphs illustrating the enormous amount of money we (the taxpayers) have spent on education:

http://missourieducationwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/06/educational-study-prove-taxpayers-are.html

What have we received for these millions and millions and millions of dollars? Apparently not a whole lot as it relates to student achievement. Student scores on the SAT/ACT have been flat for forty years. Does anyone else think something is not working by throwing money at the problem? Does anyone else think this money and control being asked for is not really for the children, but for bureaucrats and unions?

By passing these common core standards in Missouri, the State Board of Education apparently thinks the Federal Government has some great ideas for our kids to succeed. Passing the common core standards is necessary for states to be eligible for Race to the Top funding. What are some of those ideas in Race to the Top?

• Instituting a longitudinal data system in every state, partially funded, that will share your student's academic and personal (family, emotional/physical health data)information with agencies (is anyone else concerned about family relationships and health information...physical and mental...being available to bureaucrats?);
• The redistribution of highly effective teachers and principals, meaning teachers will be reassigned to "poor performing" schools and those teachers not deemed to be highly effective will be transferred to higher scoring schools. Why live in a district with a good, solid reputation? Several of the teachers working in your district may be substandard, but, that's redistribution of wealth of talent, a stated goal of this program. If your state receives Race to the Top funding, it MUST follow this mandate.
• Relinquishing the control of district curriculum. If the national standards teach 2 + 2 =5 or the earth is flat, and you don't agree, too bad. The curriculum has been dictated by a board made up educators/professionals of several states, and you, as a parent and taxpayer, have no voice. Envision Pandora's box opening when sex educational standards are set, or history books undergo politically correct revisions.

Neal McCluskey of Cato raises some important points in this debate and the delusion of some state educators on what common core standards represent and how they will operate:

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2010/07/20/the-national-standards-delusion/

I agree with McCluskey, the states will NOT be in the driver's seat to make decisions. Educators go to college and receive degrees to become an educator. I also have a college degree. Why do I understand (and they don't) that Missouri will not be able to set its own standards if it doesn't agree with some of the national standards? Maybe it's because I've read the proposals which are very specific stating if states do not meet the requirements MANDATED by the Federal Government, the funding will be pulled....and it all falls down like a deck of cards. We will be left with a huge debt and huge mess. Even if we do follow the mandates, we are still left with debt...the state must find $150 Million to enact these mandates. As we need to cut $1 Billion from the state budget next year, does anyone want to guess where these unfunded mandates are to be found?

This is such a shell game...the Feds say, "We'll give you money"! The governors and state school boards say "yes"! They send us a check and we then have to pay more for the money the government just gave us. Is your head spinning yet? Oh, but wait! For that money, we also sign over our control to set standards; AND we are mandated from a centralized agency, so the money for which we've given up our state sovereignty can be pulled if Missouri doesn't fulfill the federal obligations to the Federal Government! Oh, one more "minor" detail, the states were given the authority by the Constitution to educate its citizens, not the Federal Government. But why pay attention to the Constitution? That document seems to be a bit inconvenient and inconsequential in crafting legislation today in Washington, DC.

Honestly, what has happened with people and state agencies wanting and pleading to give up their authority? I know I sound like a broken record...but it's OUR money and OUR kids!

This is what occurs when our officials sell the state's claim to sovereignty and take money to become more controlled by a centralized government. The total takeover of the schools is knocking on the doors of Missouri, and our State Board, Education Commissioner and governor are inviting them in....for control, more debt, and proven incompetence of the Department of Education.

Children Understand Reality Better than Educators and School Boards

I love it when children utter universal truths. This is the perfect article to send to out of control spending school districts and the Department of Education.

Many thanks to the American Thinker. Enjoy.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/07/the_wisdom_of_children.html

Is This a School Board of Facilitators or Reformers?

Even if you are not a taxpayer in the Kirkwood School District, read this posting. You need to watch your own district to determine its transparency and fiduciary responsibility to all its citizens.

I attended a spirited Kirkwood School Board meeting Monday night, July 19. The school board was to decide on whether to place two bond proposals before the voters. The public was invited before the meeting began to make comments. The room was full, extra chairs were brought in, and citizens talked about their concerns and/or opinions about the proposals. Ten people spoke in opposition to both proposals, two people were in favor of these proposals, and one taxpayer was in support of one, but not the other.

You can access the bond language here:

http://kirkwoodschools.org/community/proposals/


One is a $33 Million bond for school additions and improvements, the other is for a $15 Million bond for an aquatic center and other athletic improvements. Note the language explaining the bond proposals: "The two ballot proposals address facility issues and are a response to the following immediate needs of the district's long-range facilities plan". What is so immediate about enormous expansions at elementary schools and a swimming pool for a district that projects a flat enrollment over the next few years?


Many taxpayers may think supporting this bond issue is a good idea as they might agree with the all day kindergarten concept. Kirkwood presently has room for 1/2 day kindergartners, but there is not adequate room for full day enrollment for all students. What these same taxpayers may not realize is this proposal is not just for constructing new kindergarten rooms. The first bond proposal expands ALL classroom grades and gymnasiums. Upon visual review of the proposed master plan drawing, three elementary schools appear to almost double in size. However, the population of school children in the Kirkwood School District is not increasing. (It has stayed at a 5,000 enrollment level for the last decade). Why do we need these large schools for an area that is landlocked and thoroughly developed?

We will be writing about the district over the next several months, asking questions about the proposals themselves and the bond language used. What is NOT in the language of the proposals is as important as what IS contained in the proposals. Today, however, I want to focus on the nature, responsibility and conduct of the Kirkwood School District Board.

What IS the function of a school board? The language from the district's site states: "As elected representatives of the citizens of the Kirkwood School District, the seven-member Board of Education serves as the governing body for the community's public school system. The school board sets district policies, selects the superintendent of schools, adopts the annual budget, and determines the tax rate". The board is in charge, as the governing body for the schools, to approve ballot language for bond proposals.

Why would some taxpayers raise objections with these current bond proposals set forth by the Kirkwood School Board? We can't afford them (this District has experienced doubled tax revenues and spending the last 10 years), and they are luxuries, not needs (the half day kindergarten requirement mandated by the state is currently being met and the swim team practices at the nearby junior college). After listening to the Board give its reasons to support these proposals, I believe in this instance, it did not made a sound business and educational decision.

The majority of the taxpayers who appeared to make comments were against both proposals. After public comment, the Board made its decision. The superintendent had a prepared speech, he thanked everyone for their comments, and informed us the Board was approving both proposals to be placed on the ballot. We were thanked for our opinions, emails, phone calls, etc., but the message was apparent: the decision to approval the proposals was predetermined. This was our only public venue to voice our opinion, and while we were welcomed, our words were inconsequential to the outcome.

You can access the video below of the members' statements and separate videos may be posted at a later date of citizens' remarks. (An aside, a video such as this will be the only accurate record of your participation in a Kirkwood school board meeting. While your name will be listed as making a comment in the minutes, the content of your remarks , whether pro or con on an issue, are not documented. Citizen comments are not documented as they are not part of the public record. The meeting has not been officially called to order, so it is not legally necessary to record what citizens say).

http://vimeo.com/13526299

Reviewing what the members said about their decision raises some interesting thoughts and questions. One member stated that "significant people in the community have been asking" the Board to bring this to a vote. According to the members, there has been continuous work on the facilities plan over many, many years. According to the members, this has been an ongoing process and it would appear intense pressure has been placed on this board for all day kindergarten and a swimming pool.

One member stated, "We are responding to the needs of our kids and wants of some taxpayers...we all share the same financial concerns you have...we are not robber barons out there spending money we don't have or try to be irresponsible...we really try hard". I would like to point out some troubling facts on spending money we don't have: the district is currently deficit spending from the operating fund, of which 80% supports teacher salaries and benefits. Next comes the question of responsible governance: supporting and allowing a vote on a huge expansion in a recession with a stagnant pupil population; does that seem like a sound business decision?

One member stated that he "struggled to support Proposal 2". He believes the "timing is difficult" and the question arises, "why now"? He believes there are benefits from all day kindergarten, and the low financing we can receive today would mean it would be cheaper for present day construction. He supports these proposals because they are "long term benefits" in "short term" economic pains. He makes good points that construction would be cheaper in today's market; however, if we are dipping deeper into our reserves (which we are) to meet budget, why is the Board presenting proposals to the voters which will keep them in debt? How does this school member know we are in a short term poor economic situation? Viewing the latest economic reports, it seems the US will not emerge from this recession for several more years. Our national debt is now in the trillions and we will find it difficult in the years to come to settle THIS debt, much less another local debt.

I would also like to see the reports the district uses regarding the definitive benefits to all day kindergarten. Again, look on the Internet. You will find reports on the pros and cons of each viewpoint. Each side can make good arguments. But even, as stated above, if a taxpayer believes all day kindergarten is desirable, Bond Proposal 1 goes far beyond constructing new kindergarten space.

I understand groups placing pressure on boards for their wishes and desires. I realize certain groups hold sway because of financial support they provide the district. However, the Board should remember its fiduciary responsibility for all Kirkwood taxpayers. This "group" the board kept referring to apparently kept asking for improvements and additions. One member stated that "this proposal that's coming before us tonight didn't originate with the School Board. The proposal originated with a group of community members and parents and school district leadership. This district has a long-term facility plan; this Board is responsible to update and try to fund...the pool has never been on the ballot...it is time to decide." The Board wants to put it to rest, "thumbs up, thumbs down" once and for all.

Does the Board represent a certain group or does it represent what is in the best interest of ALL the citizens? I appreciate the political process and a group wanting to place an issue on the ballot. However, in this economic turmoil and no student growth, these issues should never have been brought to the voters. Who is this "group" the Board keeps referring to in its statements?

The Board wants us to believe it is protecting democratic process by letting the voters decide this issue once and for all. Could the exasperation the members demonstrated be designed to lead us to believe they are being fair? I am certain the members are exasperated. But that is not the issue at hand. The board is washing its hands of the decision making process it is charged to perform as a governmental body. It is financially irresponsible for this board to place these proposals on the ballot at this time. What has not been said by the Board is...when big money is behind a ballot initiative, it is difficult to defeat. The taxpayers AT LARGE depend on their elected officials to make reasoned and sound decisions, NOT decisions made to appease those who have become impatient because long term wants (not needs) have not become realities.

The Kirkwood School board members should be reformers, NOT facilitators. We are facing turbulent times in uncharted waters and we need reformers who will protect the interest of ALL taxpayers, instead of facilitating the wishes for a certain segment of the population.

Lesson plan for taxpayers: "I'm from the Government and I'm here to help you"

As I wrote previously, it is a good practice to daily check the MO DESE website if you are wondering what Jeff City is planning for children and taxpayers. Once you begin accessing press releases and documents you start detecting a pattern of federal encroachment on our right (and other states) to educate our children. It is evident the push for Race to the Top and other federal controls are enthusiastically being sought by our Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro.

This article was sent to me this morning:

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/07/17/update-missouri-wants-federal-money-save-teacher-jobs/?utm_source=daily-brief&utm_campaign=9170fc6faa-2010_07_19_Daily_Brief&utm_medium=email

While it is factual, it doesn't tell you "the rest of the story". It tells you the basics but you need to go to the source to understand exactly what is transpiring between DC and the states. And where can you find the source? Of course! At the MO DESE website! I found this link Friday:

http://www.ed.gov/blog/2010/07/call-with-reporters-on-jobs-and-reform/

This is an approximately 40 minute conference call between several reporters and the following government officials:

• Arne Duncan, Education Secretary
• Melody Barnes, White House Director of the Domestic Policy Council
• Christina Romer, White House Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
• Eric Smith, Commissioner of Education (FL)
• Chris Nicastro, Commissioner of Education (MO)

The call was orchestrated by the Department of Education so it could explain to the various reporters why even more millions of federal dollars are necessary to save teaching jobs. The department is hoping the reporters will jump on the funding bandwagon and report to readers why we just have to have more money and more reform. The common theme of the officials is jobs, jobs, jobs (teacher union jobs) and reform, reform, reform (the Federal version of reform).

The recession is an inconvenient truth. It doesn't make any difference to these officials. They want their vision to come to fruition, and it is immaterial the economy cannot financially support these mandates.

Over the next few days, we'll chronicle the conference call, document the double talk, the incorrect facts, and the inability of these officials to grapple with the realization we are out of money to reach the federal government's goals.

Take time to listen to the call and we'll talk more tomorrow. I'll leave you with a snippet from Christina Romer at the 6:30 mark: "the headwinds we face to a robust recovery, one of the biggest is the dire situation of the state budgets". But, she adds at around the 8:00 mark: the government has "made incredible progress on the economy from losing more than 750,000 jobs a month to consistently adding jobs; added 600,000 to the private sector since the start of the year. We all realize we have a long way to go. We all realize we're still 7.5 million jobs down since the start of the recession. Anything we can do to help accelerate the rate of growth and job creation is going to be very helpful and our estimates are that the money that is given to state governments for things like keeping teachers employed is some of the most effective spending(?) for the overall recovery and that is why this is a very sensible policy."

That's the gist of Romer's argument. Spend money to subsidize state education budgets. Where in the world is that money coming from? And what is the ultimate cost down the road?

Check back as we analyze this interesting conference call. It's clear what the ultimate goal is in this discussion. You just have to listen.

SAUL ALINSKY--Reading assignment for NEA recruits in St. Louis

Teachers not currently affiliated with the NEA in the St. Louis area are receiving some "gentle persuasion" to join and were provided the following reading assignment:


http://www.nea.org/tools/17231.htm


Notice the name of the link: NEA tools. Think about that for a moment. NEA tools. Tools for what? Oh, I am certain these would be tools to help teachers become more effective in the classroom so students can achieve at a higher level. Right? After all, it does state "We hope that ARs and local leaders of all political stripes will discern from Alinsky's books grassroots organizing strategies that will best help us bring our members together around the common goal of improving public education".


Read the rest of the article. Nowhere in this NEA site does it mention the word "student". It would appear the NEA's idea of "improving public education" means improving its power in the public education sphere.


I base my belief from excerpted passages that I want you to pay particular attention to; read the entire article and research them for yourself:

• Society has good reason to fear the Radical. Every shaking advance of mankind toward equality and justice has come from the Radical. He hits, he hurts, he is dangerous. Conservative interests know while Liberals are most adept at breaking their own necks with their tongues, Radicals are most adept at breaking the necks of Conservatives".


• He will fight any concentration of power hostile to a broad, popular democracy, whether he finds it in financial circles or in politics.

• Using eyes, ears and noses as tactics in the art of how to take and how to give: Example for noses: "If your organization is too tiny even for noise, stink up the place".

Many of you are probably aware of this book and the tactics named. We have witnessed in the political sphere these tactics being used by many different groups. Teachers have a special responsibility to children and parents. Should teachers be employing these tactics and still be around CHILDREN?

Note the ending of this posting on the NEA site:

• Alinsky was hated and defamed by powerful enemies, proof that his tactics worked. His simple formula for success..."Agitate + Aggravate + Educate + Organize"

This theory is being pushed by your St. Louis NEA organization. I'm not convinced this group is sincerely concerned about your child, first and foremost, are you? I'm certain this group has minimal concern about your child.

Keep your eye on your teachers and this union. This group doesn't give a whit about test scores, graduation rates, etc. It is solely concerned for its self-preservation and control. I would suggest you start your own reading list for your child. Perhaps you should read Alinsky's book so you know your teacher's driving purpose for being in the classroom. And, if you are a conservative, watch your neck.

(ht to a watchdog)

The Missouri State Board of Education's version of Paul Simon's song "Slip Slidin' Away"

I'd like to use a bit of musical interlude to set the premise of this entry (thanks to Paul Simon):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKxyoud_c-E

We suspected an ulterior motive when we discovered the State Board signed onto Common Core standards two months earlier than planned. As noted in previous posts, the Missouri State Board members, appointed members, signed on to these standards in June. It was on track for adoption in August. So, why the rush?


Neal McCluskey, Cato Institute Education writer, has some interesting thoughts on this matter. Isn't it interesting his theory mirrors exactly the actions of our State Board?


http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2010/07/13/ever-so-quietly-national-standards-spread/



McCluskey sets forth many reasons our state education boards keep us (parents and taxpayers)in the dark, but perhaps one of the most compelling is the standards must have been approved by August 2 to stay competitive in the Race to the Top funding quest. Race to the Top has become one of the worst examples of incompetent planning and wasteful programs from DC. The original funding amount to the states totalled $4.35 billion. The total amount of funding currently available is in question. Certain senators now want to pull out a percentage of the $4.35 billion to fund teacher salaries, leaving less money awarded to states.


Doesn't this give you great confidence in the Federal government as it slowly takes over our schools? Heck, this group can't run "Cash for Clunkers" and we are supposed to trust them to educate our children? They want states to sign away control for standards not yet formulated for amounts that are nebulous. If the Federal government operated in the private sector, it wouldn't last a month with these type of decisions and maneuvers.


The states have to agree to give control of their curriculum and staffing process. What do the states receive in return? They take on millions of dollars in unfunded mandates (about $150 Million in Missouri) and no local control. Does that seem like a sound business decision to you? The MO Department of Education is still pursuing these funds. It wants the taxpayers to take on a tremendous amount of debt even as the state has to cut one BILLION dollars from the budget next year.



It's no wonder the State Board wants to slip these votes through and hope you don't notice. Be a watchdog. Start accessing the Missouri DESE website daily. That's how we found out about the quiet "slip slidin' " away of our state's rights. We're watchdogs like you.



http://dese.mo.gov/



You never know what you will discover.

Innocence will soon become an archaic word

I haven't written on this story before now as I was waiting for the Helena, MT school board to meet and hear from citizens about proposed curriculum changes for its students. That doesn't seem too unusual on its face; districts tweak subject content every year.

What makes this unusual is the new "human sexuality" course proposed for students beginning in kindergarten. A draft proposal from the Helena school board may be found here:

http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/images/documents/curriculum/HealthCurriculum/K12FinalHealth.pdf

The most egregious parts of this draft begins on page 36. Do you believe kindergartners need to know the correct labelling of body parts? Children in first grade are taught that same sex attraction is fine. Sexual positions are discussed by grade 5.

Here is a write up from last night's meeting in Helena:

http://helenair.com/news/article_e64bbc32-8f0f-11df-acbd-001cc4c002e0.html

The arrogance of this board is astounding. I have been in written communication with a mother from this district who has a kindergartner. She confirmed to me that this curriculum was done "behind closed doors" for the last 2 years, and there was only one parent on this committee who had a student in the district. The other members were educational professionals with older children; children who would not be affected by these new standards.

The song by Don Henley keeps circling through my brain:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NYCXWA/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk1

"....this is the end...of the innocence". Once our children's' innocence is gone, it can never be recaptured.

This behavior by this school district is arrogant and mirrors Washington, DC "politics as usual". Perhaps this is the way our policies are written today by ALL our elected (and appointed) officials; in secrecy, no real citizen input, stonewalling, limited discussion and no awareness or concern for the PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING FOR THIS EDUCATION AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDER THEIR POLICIES.

I sound like a broken record, but I keep coming back to it...it's OUR money and OUR children. Stop this destruction of our children's innocence.

Sexual terms introduced to kindergartners? Really? And why is this a good idea for 5 year old CHILDREN? And I'll leave you with this thought for Missouri readers. Your State Board of Education signed onto to common core standards, aka national standards...what will happen if this becomes national curriculum? It's a realistic possibility. Keep your eyes open. Question your school district on its sexual education policies.

The Tempest in the Teapot

Many thanks to Keith Williams of Kirkwood for passing this information to me and others in the Kirkwood School District. Keith put out an email last week informing readers about the $48 Million bond proposal to be presented at the Board meeting Monday night, July 19. Many questions from taxpayers have ensued as to the necessity of an aquatic center, new kindergarten rooms and a track at a middle school.

Will the district listen to these comments? Will the board turn a deaf ear to the citizens? Will the board learn to differentiate between necessities and luxuries?

There appears to be a disconnect between reality and fantasy, not only in DC, but also in the halls of the Kirkwood School District. Read these emails carefully. The frustration is great and the elected leaders need to listen.

Kmail

Kmail@KmailNews.com

Hello again, Kmailers 14 July 2010

Last week my sarcastic musings about the gigantic bond issue that the Kirkwood School Board wants to float sure hit a raw nerve with most of you readers. Kmail got 3 cancellations and a boat load of great Emails in return. I asked for your opinions and you kindly offered them in quantity! I can only hope the School Board reads this Kmail, they might learn what Kirkwood is telling them in no uncertain terms. Pasted below you will find 20 or 30 of your more interesting letters. ( including cancellations) Draw your own conclusions. I've got plenty more, but I think you get the idea of what most Kmailers are thinking would be wise for the School Board to do..

Sadly, I received not one single opinion pointing out why or how Kirkwood and our school kids' education will benefit from this gross spending spree for a non-essential wish list of useless "educational" goodies. Just spend, spend spend on anything handy.

What kind of lesson are we teaching our ourselves? The Kirkwood School District has basically paid off one of its credit cards, and it wants to go on a new spending spree? Let's make do with what we have for a while instead of buying shiny new useless things on credit.

By the way, I see where the Board has issued a clarification on the "free" Kindergarten pitch. Parents will continue to have to pay tuition for full day kindergarten, so nothing has really changed, except that everyone's taxes will go up. If the Kindergarten parent thinks they will now get "free" all day kindergarten they have been sadly misled.

Additionally, there has been nary a peep of the need for the operating funds that will be required next year, nor of increased maintenance and technology expenses associated with expansion of the physical facilities. Enrollment has not substantially increased in the last ten years, tax collections have nearly doubled.

Hang on to your wallets, your children, and your homestead Kirkwood, the school board wants to mortgage them all.

Kmail policy is NOT to print the name of the originator of a response unless given permission by the writer.

Keith Williams for Kmail

---

Please take us off your email list at once. We agree with nothing you have said, nor do the large majority of our friends, neighbors and colleagues in Kirkwood. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. W Family +++++++++++++

Wow, I didn't really need to read past the first couple paragraphs. This sums up everything that is wrong with the way governments on all levels view tax revenue. Frustrating, depressing, absurd. How can I help?

Steve

+++++++++++++++

Keith, THANK YOU! This is exactly what I was thinking. I was already peeved a couple of months ago when I read they were spending $330,000 on a new awning by the Dougherty Ferry school entrance, so students don't have to stand in the rain. Three hundred thirty thousand dollars! You can buy a very nice Kirkwood house for that, and this is just a roof! How about we save some money and just buy all the students gold-plated umbrellas?

You are correct, there is no semblance of fiscal responsibility in the district. Astroturf is absolutely unnecessary. I'm sure they will claim it's to save on maintenance of the grass, but we all know that several years down the road we will need to "maintain" the astroturf by replacing it, just as we had to replace the all-weather track about five years after it was installed, and are now replacing it again.

I like sports as much as the next guy, but this is not the mandate that our school district was created to serve. I am currently looking to move, and have so far been looking in Kirkwood, but if it looks like this is going to pass, I will expand my search to the neighboring suburbs. Thanks again -- I'm glad to know I'm not the only taxpayer who's feeling fed up with the big spenders. E M

+++++++++++++

Keith, You would think the Realtors in town would be livid. This just has to chill the market. kp

++++++++++++++

Sir,

You are not thinking big enough. Kirkwood needs to raze the entire high school complex (rebuild a stat-of-the art high school somewhere else), buy out some adjoining properties and build a giant lake so we can have a KHS Yachting Team. I want maximum bang for my buck!!!! JC

++++++++++++++

Keith Our home tax doubled during 2002 and 2009 (100% increase).Our tax acceleration exceeds that of one of the premier, wealthiest counties outside of California! James

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Keith, Hang in there! I certainly agree with you. bt

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I can't tell where in your editorial the sarcasm ends and the facts about what the Board actually either wants to do or is just considering begins. So I can't trust any of it. Just the cold hard facts and letting the reader make up his own mind would make your piece more powerful. js

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Keith Has anyone looked @ these board members personal credit scores?Don't know about you but I treat my business spending with the same principals I run my personal finances. Who are they to frivolously spend OUR hard saved cash! D M

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Don't be fooled! Voters, they are playing games with the aquacenter prop. They bet you will say yes to kindergarten improvement , since it's kind of free, and be satisfied saying no th the nutty prop. The kindergarten is prop is not frre. It's a brand new "home improvement loan" with the staffing expense undisclosed at this time. Be a little indignant at this devious approach. DS

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I saw in theWebster-Kirkwood Times this past Friday a picture of 9 female high schoolers from Kirkwood High who had traveled to France for spring break. PARIS, FOR SPRING BREAK. If the parents can send them to Paris, they should be able to raise the money for the new sports facility they think their children deserve to have at taxpayer expense. GC

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I as one vote concur with you. Can't not see our Kirkwood elected officials finding ways to spend money with the economy unstable as it has been. If the student population is shrinking as well then they need to re think ways to conserve monies not spend. LW

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Great thoughts, thanks for the information. The community needs to get a look into this and be prepared to get the vote out in opposition. With this bond issue, how much has this school district achieve from their original $100 million request several years ago? I bet we are about the same point, KPS just sliced it up to shove it down our throughts. RR

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Thank you, thank you Keith. You are on a roll; that is enough information for everyone to join in the fight with vigor c l

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First of all I am embarrassed that I was not aware of the school boards request for/and proposed use of these funds. If what you are describing is true then I totally agree that we need to stick to educational necessities for near, and possibly, the long term. I have been a resident of Kirkwood for about 50 years and even though I sent my kids to private schools I always supported the Kirkwood school district when my vote was needed to raise taxes. However, this request is out of line and at least for now, I can't and won't support it. Yours Truly, P

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A beautiful piece of sarcasm! I enjoyed reading it, and am inclined to agree with you. BTW, my faith in the democratic process was renewed recently when I toured the redone Kirkwood Public Library. Though I was sorely disappointed when the first tax and bond issues failed so badly, I now see that a more modest redo of the old was the right course of action. Separately, I would be interested to hear your take on the state of the Historical Society, and the Save Mudds' Grove campaign. cr.

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Keith, thanks for the update. You are so right on! Who is paying for the new astro turf state of art drainage football field with a tunnel to the locker rooms? I heard it was the Pioneer Booster, Kirkwood school district foundation, and US? I am really disappointed if the KSDF is using their funds for this project. In the past they only used funds contributed by me and other parents and alums to fund educational in the classroom or teacher student activities. If they are contributing to this football field then no more money from me.

'As you probably know we have also ended up with the highest paid suburban school district Superintendent. It's not his fault. Dr. Dameral whined every year for more and more salary and bonus . Now we have a Superintendent of a fairly small district making top income. You should check this out. My complaint on the board was always that the Superintendent and Admin people's salaries were getting out of line with teacher salaries. People on there are now are in their third or fourth terms. We need new blood on the board for a new focus. This group has got to go. They are out of touch with the real Kirkwood. pb

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Is there anyone in town supporting this besides the School Board ? eww

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Thanks Keith, I need to read this more closely, but I can tell you, as a parent of a Kindergartener, adding full day Kindergarten for all kids sounds like a good idea to me. I thought it was crazy I had to pay out of pocket for Kindergarten in such a highly regarded district. I do wish that was separated from the "aquatic center", which I'm not sure I'd support at this time.Food for thought. Thanks again, Matt

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I'm interested in the issues that arise in Kirkwood. I think K-mail is an invaluable resource to bring that news to our citizens. And okay, I'll even listen to your lengthy opinion on the topics--it is afterall YOUR newsletter and I value hearing every side to the story before making up my own mind. But is there anyway we could get the same important information without the tedious "comedy" routine? It is unbelievably tiresome and annoying beyond words to even get through your beleaguered messages at times--even when I may fully agree with your stance. Sir, with all due respect, you are no Oscar Wilde. Leave the "ranting-old-man-who-thinks-he-is-witty routine" to the stand-up comedians and pass on the worthwhile topics with any related intelligent thoughts to your interested audience without grating on their nerves to the point of distraction.

-RJG

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Amen Mr. Williams! Thanks again for making me smile with your satirical and poignant prose! DP

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Thank you Keith: It's about time someone speaks out about the rising taxes in Kirkwood. I am a senior citizen and have lived in Kirkwood since 1971. It is becoming increasingly hard for me to justify staying here with the laws, bans and taxes that Kirkwood keeps implementing. The school taxes are out of hand. If the parents of the children attending Kirkwood schools feel that their kids "need" these amenities, let them pay for them. That's what we do in private schools.What can we do to stop this from even getting on the ballot since Kirkwoodians seem to approve every tax increase. I wonder, if like the government, they even read or understand the issues before they vote.A concerned Kirkwood citizen. gc

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We agree with you 100%. We suggest that you make a list of names that also agree and submit to the Board. This e-mail gives you permission to use ours.Thanks,E +L B

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Keith – Thanks again for an informative letter. I must say that I was shocked to find out some of the ways our tax dollars are considering being spent by Kirkwood. The last time I checked we were in a major recession. I agree that we should see how the artificial turf on the football field works out before additional projects are started.

Quite honestly I don't understand why the decision was made to change the field to astro turf at the high school. I was under the impression that the "natural" turf was the better choice. It definitely is much more attractive. And considering that Kirkwood prides itself on how environmentally friendly we are, why would we want to "slap down" the synthetic stuff. It reminds me of a line from Joni Mitchell's great song "Big Yellow Taxi" which echoes my sentiments about so much that is happening here in our fair town…"paved paradise and put up a parking lot…you don't know what you've got til its gone!" Sue

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As long term residents of Kirkwood, we protest the proposed bond issue in the strongest way possible. We, the propery owners affected are now taxed to the hilt; Now facing the joy of a tax reduction which you propose to steal from us by unfounded, luxury projects is an insult.Certainly you all cannot be so far out of touch as to persist in this, and expect to continue holding those impregnable seats of taxing authority. jj

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Did anyone happen to notice that Des Peres and Kirkwood sales taxes also went up the first of July? Was that the new metro tax we voted on? And I did find out the other tax increase we had was for the 911 updates. Plus the Kirkwood library tax is now on my bill - that was the only increase on our personal property tax this year.

A former CFO for the school board had an interesting letter to the editor in last weekend's Post - he didn't seem to be in favor of the bond issue! Wish I could remember his name. And my papers are recycled already.sp

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Kieth,I'm with you. Not needed. I will vote NO

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BRAVO!!!!! I'm behind you, no along side of you on this issue.
I guess the school board must think Kirkwood is recession proof? WRONG, I cannot afford more taxes for anything. kate

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I moved from Kirkwood in February '09 (didn't want to, but that's a different story) and tried like crazy to orchestrate a way back (my offices are there; loved the micro-commute!) UNTIL I started reading all this K-Mail, and other sources, reporting the goings-on in my previously beloved Kirkwood. I was fairly vocal about the absurd request to change Rifle Range Drive to something PC....OMG. So this report of $$ shenanigans by the school board sealed the deal for me. I'll buy a house in some other zip code.Your opinions expressed in this e-mail mirror my own....and people wonder what's wrong IN America???? As if the shenanigans in the White House weren't enough..... red B

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Thanks for the the e-mails, Keith, I read them all. I can`t believe that at this time, that the school board could possibly consider this type of spending. Less stop this before it happens, by attending the school board meeting, scheduled for the 19TH, and voice our opinons. Bob

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Thanks for a great email! I am with you ALL the way. jm

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I agree . BigH

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The Department of Education magic tricks...that don't work

This is a current article from American Thinker. The author talks about putting different names on the same failing schools, which somehow turns them into "high-performing" schools. Does that language sound familiar? That "high-performing" label applies to everything from teachers, to schools, and to administrators in Race to the Top language. RT3 suggests this will be accomplished by taking the highest performing teachers and administrators, assigning them to the "low-performing" schools, and it's magic, ladies and gentlemen! Low performing schools will turn around, teachers and administrators will become superheroes because of their dedication and record of performance, and all will be right in the educational world.

Read this piece below and then let's talk about the real issues with failing schools and why the Federal government's ideas of more spending and shifting of personnel is not the answer:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/07/magical_education_and_the_slid.html

I want to draw attention to a couple of the author's paragraphs:

"Instigating Detroit's third-world slide is its schoolchildren's woeful academic performance. A mere 2% of its high school graduates are prepared for college-level math; just 11% are ready for college-level reading. In 2008-2009, its graduation rate was 58% compared to the national average of 89%. In 2009, Detroit public-school students posted the worst math scores in the forty-year history of the National Assessment of Educational Progress test. Students are fleeing at jailbreak speed -- between 1997 enrollment dropped from 175,168 students to 84,000 and continues to fall, and those remaining are probably the worst of the worst.

The statistics are hardly unusual; noteworthy is Detroit's intended solution, and it is here that the third-world virus may escape the laboratory and infect America more generally. The chief culprit is something called the Excellent Schools Detroit initiative, a solution backed by state officials, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and two wealthy private foundations. Its aim is to increase the high school graduation rate from 58% to 80% and then insure that 90% of these graduates enter college. Critically, to achieve this aim, low-performing schools will be closed and replaced with, according to officials, seventy high-performing schools".

I highlighted the last few sentences. This is the same position the Missouri State Board of Education has taken in its push to secure federal funding for unfunded programs such as Race to the Top. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and other businesses initially supported this program, and in fact, the Ewing Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City underwrote $100,000 of the first proposal the State Board drafted in 2009. Does this sound familiar to the backing Detroit schools received?

Look on the Missouri DESE website regarding graduation rates and the several articles addressing this problem:

http://dese.mo.gov/dropoutprevention/index.html

It is a laudable goal to increase high school graduation rates. It is unrealistic to prepare all students for college. The stated goal of this administration is exactly that, to prepare every student for college. Are we setting up students in Missouri for the same trap in which the Detroit students find themselves? I fear the third world virus WILL escape the laboratory and infect Missouri.