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Thumbs Up to school district merger elections
And kudos to getting along, snow removal and unassuming people
Editor Steve Miller
Thumbs Up: The petition to merge school districts was approved; but new petitions protesting the merger and forcing a vote are highly likely. Good.
We’re not sold on the idea of a total merger; we’re not sold on the school boards’ border realignment proposal, either. We are sold on public elections on the merger issue.
There’s nothing like an election to bring things into focus: proponents must get their research done and facts in order and they must think about communicating how their ideas benefit voters; opponents have to convince voters that change isn’t for the better and explain how the present system works to greater advantage; school boards have to talk about it all in the open. It means that leaders have to focus and sharpen and polish up their points and that’s good, no matter how the balloting goes.
Besides that, letting the general public in on the decision-making helps enable us to move on to other issues.
Thumbs Up: Reading the Thursday Agriculture Page’s Q-and-A article with Tulelake-area farmer Rob Crawford and refuge manager Ron Cole was encouraging.
The article was largely about the walking wetlands program as well as the relationship between farmers and the refuge.
We listened to the two speak during a recent agricultural tour of the Basin and what struck us was that the two men, representing concerns that often clashed over the years, are getting along pretty well. Why? It looks to us like they just decided to get along and made it work. And we like their answers to “What are your hopes for the future?” “I believe there is opportunity for everyone,” Crawford said. “I hope we can serve as an example of how working together, neighbor-to-neighbor, we can create something much better than when we go it alone,” Cole said. Sounds warm and fuzzy-ish, but it really looks like it’s happening.
Thumbs Up: To reasonably tough snow removal rules.
Thankfully, our climate is such that it’s not often a huge deal. But last winter still looms large: anyone who didn’t get their walks cleared right away and who didn’t keep up with additional snowfall, ended up with ice flow blocking the way. Students and other pedestrians were walking in the streets (which weren’t exactly clear, either). It was a bad deal.
It seems fair for the city to be moderately tougher. Just a couple things we’d like to see:
-- We hope the city will be reasonable in giving people their heads-up on situations, and a little understanding when need be (though when they’re dealing with thousands of properties and owners, that can only go so far).
-- It would also be nice if we all remembered to lend a hand to the neighbors, whenever possible.
-- And, finally, it would be nice to see the city firm up its strategy and tactics for jumping on snow and ice removal from streets, if we get another bummer winter.
Thumbs Up: To unassuming people who leave the world a better place for the lives they touch. We recently attended the memorial service of the mother of a good friend. That might seem a funny thing to tab for a “thumbs up,” but it was a good occasion. There was lots of music, including “God Bless America,” and Hank Williams’ “Hey, Good Lookin'.” There were stories told, including recounts of quirks and practical jokes and of a crazy rooster. There were hundreds of old photos to look at. And good food. But mostly, it reminded us how much influence in the world one good person can have, even if she lived her life simply and accumulated little wealth. A memorial is a way of punctuating the accents of a life; no TV show can compare with the real stories of real lives -- even simple lives. It reminded us to try a little harder.
Thumbs Up: The petition to merge school districts was approved; but new petitions protesting the merger and forcing a vote are highly likely. Good.
We’re not sold on the idea of a total merger; we’re not sold on the school boards’ border realignment proposal, either. We are sold on public elections on the merger issue.
There’s nothing like an election to bring things into focus: proponents must get their research done and facts in order and they must think about communicating how their ideas benefit voters; opponents have to convince voters that change isn’t for the better and explain how the present system works to greater advantage; school boards have to talk about it all in the open. It means that leaders have to focus and sharpen and polish up their points and that’s good, no matter how the balloting goes.
Besides that, letting the general public in on the decision-making helps enable us to move on to other issues.
Thumbs Up: Reading the Thursday Agriculture Page’s Q-and-A article with Tulelake-area farmer Rob Crawford and refuge manager Ron Cole was encouraging.
The article was largely about the walking wetlands program as well as the relationship between farmers and the refuge.
We listened to the two speak during a recent agricultural tour of the Basin and what struck us was that the two men, representing concerns that often clashed over the years, are getting along pretty well. Why? It looks to us like they just decided to get along and made it work. And we like their answers to “What are your hopes for the future?” “I believe there is opportunity for everyone,” Crawford said. “I hope we can serve as an example of how working together, neighbor-to-neighbor, we can create something much better than when we go it alone,” Cole said. Sounds warm and fuzzy-ish, but it really looks like it’s happening.
Thumbs Up: To reasonably tough snow removal rules.
Thankfully, our climate is such that it’s not often a huge deal. But last winter still looms large: anyone who didn’t get their walks cleared right away and who didn’t keep up with additional snowfall, ended up with ice flow blocking the way. Students and other pedestrians were walking in the streets (which weren’t exactly clear, either). It was a bad deal.
It seems fair for the city to be moderately tougher. Just a couple things we’d like to see:
-- We hope the city will be reasonable in giving people their heads-up on situations, and a little understanding when need be (though when they’re dealing with thousands of properties and owners, that can only go so far).
-- It would also be nice if we all remembered to lend a hand to the neighbors, whenever possible.
-- And, finally, it would be nice to see the city firm up its strategy and tactics for jumping on snow and ice removal from streets, if we get another bummer winter.
Thumbs Up: To unassuming people who leave the world a better place for the lives they touch. We recently attended the memorial service of the mother of a good friend. That might seem a funny thing to tab for a “thumbs up,” but it was a good occasion. There was lots of music, including “God Bless America,” and Hank Williams’ “Hey, Good Lookin'.” There were stories told, including recounts of quirks and practical jokes and of a crazy rooster. There were hundreds of old photos to look at. And good food. But mostly, it reminded us how much influence in the world one good person can have, even if she lived her life simply and accumulated little wealth. A memorial is a way of punctuating the accents of a life; no TV show can compare with the real stories of real lives -- even simple lives. It reminded us to try a little harder.
Reader Comments
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dbl standards wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:38 PM:
" If I have to have my walkway clear of snow or face a fine...then why not fine the city/county when the street/roads are NOT maintained properly..Hell, it's my tax dollars your abusing/misusing..I have to make my sidewalk safe for people to walk on but you fail to make our streets/roads safe for me to drive on?
I will keep my end of the deal...city and county...NO WAY..they will fail AGAIN. "
I will keep my end of the deal...city and county...NO WAY..they will fail AGAIN. "
rick wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:17 PM:
" Kate:
You said it correctly " a bad deal for students and teachers in city schools "
But we are talking about ""ALL klamath County students"" not just those with the historical silver spoon.
The timber receipts are being phased out of the picture, and could be unavailable as soon as next budget year. The only way to cut and save, is to merge into a Unified School District. This will cut the fat from the top administrative high pay positions. The state has a max ratio of teachers vs. students requirement. Possibly some of the top administrative persons will have to be re-certified to step down and teach, of course they will then have to do battle with the unions regarding their lack of seniority.
The scare tactics of loosing 2.4 million isnt even close to the advantages of unifying the district.
We cant loose what we don't have!!
Future "promissed" funds means nothing in todays present economy. . Things change much to fast today, to fall for that old one. . .
The best thing to do now is plan on the economy getting worse, and cutting the fat now!
Let's use some of the wisdom of the larger more populated areas, and UNIFY the district immediately, ASAP!! " "
You said it correctly " a bad deal for students and teachers in city schools "
But we are talking about ""ALL klamath County students"" not just those with the historical silver spoon.
The timber receipts are being phased out of the picture, and could be unavailable as soon as next budget year. The only way to cut and save, is to merge into a Unified School District. This will cut the fat from the top administrative high pay positions. The state has a max ratio of teachers vs. students requirement. Possibly some of the top administrative persons will have to be re-certified to step down and teach, of course they will then have to do battle with the unions regarding their lack of seniority.
The scare tactics of loosing 2.4 million isnt even close to the advantages of unifying the district.
We cant loose what we don't have!!
Future "promissed" funds means nothing in todays present economy. . Things change much to fast today, to fall for that old one. . .
The best thing to do now is plan on the economy getting worse, and cutting the fat now!
Let's use some of the wisdom of the larger more populated areas, and UNIFY the district immediately, ASAP!! " "
Kate wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:45 PM:
" Merging with the county is like having a poor, sick relative come live with you -- it's going to cost money and your standard of living will drop.
County schools need millions of dollars in repairs and county residents never vote to support their schools. Enrichment programs like music will be eliminated and class size will increase.
Merging the districts is a bad deal for students and teachers in city schools. "
County schools need millions of dollars in repairs and county residents never vote to support their schools. Enrichment programs like music will be eliminated and class size will increase.
Merging the districts is a bad deal for students and teachers in city schools. "
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Anna wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:04 PM: