tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post6515907731346402803..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: Back-and-forth on education bonds continuesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-24295594157953070692013-10-28T08:38:02.184-04:002013-10-28T08:38:02.184-04:00D1 Voter,
"Is this correct?"
In part. ...D1 Voter,<br /><br />"Is this correct?"<br /><br />In part. The County could do the right thing and use CMS data to figure future growth for the whole County and have a comprehensive bond package on the 2014 ballot where more voters will be voting. There is approx $200M in the pipeline, so the sky has not fallen. As shown before, COPs were used successfully and are being used yearly for projects that are not brought before the public for a vote.<br /><br />"If so, what are your thoughts on the political effects on this plan?"<br /><br />There is no need to do a yearly bond package, if the correct data is calculated to show growth and use the Superintendent's Strategic Plan to tie programs to buildings. They could easily come back in 2014 for a 5 year plan. The bond package is not all brick and mortar, with some good programs being a bigger part of the package than previously. This is both financially and politically sound.<br /><br />"I completely agree that the ability to respond to emerging needs as they arise is imperative. But I'm not sure we lose that ability with the current bond package."<br /><br />There is a reason a citizen's advisory board called the "Bond Oversight Committee" was created. Once you deviate from the proposed pathway, then public scrutiny becomes more paramount. We witnessed that at the MeckEd forum this week, when several people stood up and expressed disgust with the failure to delivery on promises made in the 2007. We need to get this right now, and not have to second guess and change major decisions in the next 5 years.<br /><br />"I see value in casting my vote to earmark $290M for CMS capital needs."<br /><br />It may feel safe and secure, but remember bond packages have failed before, and a better package emerged. The Martin Committee brought more diverse groups together that resulted in over $500M being spent on brick and mortar. The difference now is that a new model could evolve with more monies spent on programs and utilizing some empty buildings, rather than tearing them down.<br /><br />"I hope you see that I'm trying to give you the same courtesy by asking questions and making sure I understand your responses."<br /><br />Thank you for following up with my opponent. End of the day, we keep hearing her tout "collaboration and working with others." My opponent's endorsements speak volumes of her lack of effectiveness; these are the same people that have been labeled the enemies of public education in North Carolina. I support a COLA for Teachers, yet my opponent says it's against the law and refuses to endorse the “idea”. I support smaller school districts like Mooresville Graded, that is tops in the Nation, yet my opponent wants to keep the same status quo 500 square miles failing system. I know that 3 classrooms added in 4 years and no more for 6 years in Davidson is the wrong pathway for D1. Although we do agree on some points, we do not agree on the major issues. People have a choice when they walk into the voting booth. Vote for effective change or keep the status quo. Thank you for your questions and interest. Hopefully you can identify yourself after the election and we can continue this dialogue to improve our students' performance.Christine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-38097042585733753072013-10-28T08:24:38.595-04:002013-10-28T08:24:38.595-04:00Another District 1 voter:
a) Investigations math ...Another District 1 voter:<br /><br />a) Investigations math curriculum in elementary school -- I'll need to research more about this and get back to you<br /><br />b) teacher tenure -- the entire HR system needs to be reviewed... our policies and procedures do not reflect effective and workable practices (ie length of teacher contracts, performance-based pay, performance reviews, etc.)<br /><br />c) using performance based pay -- I've always said the "devil is in the details," and I have yet to see any proposals that make sense... until I do, I don't support performance-based payChristine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-5381345324745806882013-10-27T11:20:44.918-04:002013-10-27T11:20:44.918-04:00Christine,
Again, I appreciate your detailed resp...Christine,<br /><br />Again, I appreciate your detailed response. You've addressed a number things and brought many ideas forward. In an effort to get back to the questions I asked, I'm going to outline what I understand your plan to be. Would you mind confirming for me whether I'm on the right track or not? <br /><br />From your response above, it appears that if the bonds are not approved by the voters you plan to advocate for the County and CMS to reassess the way they calculate growth, then to use COPs funding to address CMS' capital needs on a year by year basis. Is this correct? <br /><br />If so, what are your thoughts on the political effects on this plan? Relying on the BOCC and the BOE to put together a small bond package every year to address CMS' needs sounds cumbersome to me. Especially with every district representative wanting to make sure their district is well represented each time around, which will be virtually impossible when spreading $290M over 6 years (I'm treating those number as static because it's what the County has agreed they can spend).<br /><br />I completely agree that the ability to respond to emerging needs as they arise is imperative. But I'm not sure we lose that ability with the current bond package. As we've learned, the bond money doesn't have to be spent the way it's planned to be spent. We saw that the last go-round, with understandably mixed reviews. <br /><br />We can advocate all day and all night, send emails, attend town halls, etc. but the rubber meets the road when we walk into our poling place. I see value in casting my vote to earmark $290M for CMS capital needs. It eases my fear and distrust, because I've given my elected officials parameters within which they must work. We don't know what the BOCC & BOE will look like after this election....so voting against the bonds in hopes that all of these folks will be able to work together, assess our needs, appropriately prioritize them and address them equitably feels like a craps shoot to me.<br /><br />To address your final point, Christine - I have asked your opponent many many questions not only recently but over the last four year. While I've not agreed with all of her answers or always enjoyed the delivery, I've respected her expertise and experience and I've learned a lot from her. I hope you see that I'm trying to give you the same courtesy by asking questions and making sure I understand your responses. <br /><br />To Anon @ 11:43am - <br /><br />I love your passion! And if we could find a constructive plan to get the BOCC out of CMS' business, I'd join that cause in a heartbeat!! It's funny that you mention Albemarle Road - I was in Albemarle Road Elem on Friday and it was AMAZING! I think I've fallen in love with that school. 1,300+ students and that administrative team is unbelievable. We thought 1,200+ suburban kids was a lot to handle. Try 1,300+ students in a Title I school with over 1/3 of the population not proficient in English. The way the community has embraced that school is nothing short of amazing....and I can't wait to go back and dig in myself. Interested in joining me? District 1 Voternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-14312395195516673232013-10-27T09:53:31.834-04:002013-10-27T09:53:31.834-04:00Another District 1 voter here:
Christine, what ar...Another District 1 voter here:<br /><br />Christine, what are your thoughts on <br /><br />a) Investigations math curriculum in elementary school<br /><br />b) teacher tenure<br /><br />c) using performance based pay when we don't have an effective value added measure. for example, a 3rd grade teacher could help her students grow 2 years in reading, but if they're still below grade level, an EOG score won't measure that growth (which is unbelievably significant growth).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-19659455963782064552013-10-26T11:24:27.858-04:002013-10-26T11:24:27.858-04:00To D 1 Voter
Appears Wiley and Ms Mast have offere...To D 1 Voter<br />Appears Wiley and Ms Mast have offered numerous suggestions and solutions to the problems facing D1. Gaining THREE Classrooms at Alexander 4 years out and no more til 6 years out in Davidson if then is the best option offered by the current D1 Rep. As another D1 voter, it is time to send the BOCC a message that their computation of registered voters vs actual kids in household is wrong. A NO vote will be their first wake up call to allow CMS to manage their student growth and get politics out of funding. It is not only D1, check out the problems of Albermarle School on overcrowding. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-12862473542833078232013-10-25T13:17:01.097-04:002013-10-25T13:17:01.097-04:00District One Voter,
What is the alternative? The...District One Voter,<br /><br />What is the alternative? The first and most important step is for CMS to honor the 2007 Bonds of $18,585,600 for a New Highland Creek Relief ES that will furnish 39 new classrooms (to relieve current overcrowding). The project is still on hold in the design phase, with 0% construction progress.<br /><br />The question should be asked in every District: will this project give more "seats" for students. Why? Because academic achievement is the #1 Goal for CMS and reduced class sizes enhances academic achievement. 35 students packed into a classroom versus 25 or less students enhance learning. Are new gyms at Independence HS & Myers Park HS, and new stadiums at Olympic HS more important than classrooms?<br /><br />Why COPs & PAYGO? Once this bond package is passed & committed, we are locked in for the next 6 years. There is $200M unspent from 2007 and $290M current = $590M, with Commissioners advising only $100M a year will be spent. Therefore, we will wait longer for future classrooms that may or may not be needed, especially if Charter Schools are built in the meantime, as is currently happening in this rapidly changing environment.<br /><br />COPs have been used for critical issues in 1999 ($50M), 2004 ($98.5M), 2005 ($73.9M), 2006 ($154.7M), 2007 ($16.5M) and again in 2008 ($58M). This is a more flexible way to spend monies in our rapidly changing environment.<br /><br />In the meantime, the County and CMS need to come to terms on how we calculate "growth." The County is using data by precincts, but has no details on families and children in those household or where they live. This leads to inaccurate projections, and results in the County telling CMS where to build schools. This is simply wrong.<br /><br />The public should be seeing how many classrooms seats will be gained, because again, academic achievement -- through reduced classrooms -- should be the #1 priority. The COPS and PAYGO gives CMS the FLEXIBILITY year to year to make wise decisions, and not be locked into a rigid projection some 5 to 6 years out.<br /><br />Tearing down a brick structure or leasing at a low price to a faith based organization or netting only 3 classrooms is not financially or strategically sound.<br /><br />Hopefully this answers your questions. This has been done before successfully, and should be implemented again until the Charter Schools and Vouchers are evaluated on the impact to CMS. Past predictions on growth have not come true and were overestimated. We need solid data to build for the future.<br /><br />Finally, I appreciate your thoughtful and detailed questions. I hope you're asking the same questions of my opponent. I'd be interested in her answers.Christine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-76560809956882035422013-10-24T16:22:05.105-04:002013-10-24T16:22:05.105-04:00Wiley -
Much respect! I agree with a number of ...Wiley - <br /><br />Much respect! I agree with a number of your points and I can understand your position clearly. You want a consistent and common sense approach to our district's issues - and that's understandable.<br /><br />Where I get "in the weeds" is when someone, Mrs. Mast for instance, says that we should vote against the bond package because it doesn't address our specific issues fast enough. More specifically she's said that it will only net JMA 3 classrooms 4 years from now, and that's unacceptable. So, I've asked how she plans to net JMA more classroom faster....and have yet to receive a response to that question. <br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts, Wiley. I really appreciate the dialogue and I think we have a lot in common.District 1 Voternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-59472764796293506612013-10-24T14:44:05.823-04:002013-10-24T14:44:05.823-04:00District 1 Voter
1 - Eliminate diversity (whateve...District 1 Voter<br /><br />1 - Eliminate diversity (whatever the diversity flavor of the day might be, racial, economic, etc.) in any decision making process.<br /><br />2 - Assign every area of the County an elementary, middle and high school home school. That is the school your child will attend unless you decide to place them in a magnet or other CMS offering.<br /><br />3 - STOP the proposed MIE/Coulwood type fiascos countywide.<br /><br />4 - Put together a fact based, independently verified plan for new schools and renovations that are needs and not wants.<br /><br />5 - Hire someone with a brain that knows how to look at population shifts and build schools or add on where needed and if adding on temporarily with mobiles is a solution, then do it.<br /><br />6 - CLOSE SCHOOLS WHERE NEEDED. The world will not come to an end if we close a school. Sell the property, bulldoze it or let the county take over the property and utilize it for whatever, but get out of the real estate business and "holding onto schools".<br /><br />7 - Once it is established that CMS has developed some modicum of common sense, I have no problem voting for bonds. These people can't even get a bell schedule right and they want MORE money?<br /><br />NADA!<br /><br />Regarding the communities affected by whatever their issues are, I would just say go cast your vote, as I intend to. They aren't the only people with issues in the county to be affected one way or the other by the vote.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-17621126212585994902013-10-24T13:21:03.566-04:002013-10-24T13:21:03.566-04:00Wiley,
I understand that it's easy to find re...Wiley,<br /><br />I understand that it's easy to find reasons to vote agains the bonds. But I'm trying to find some balance in how people plan to serve the needs of the students. <br /><br />If you're asking folks in communities that are being affected by the bonds (JMA, Davidson Elem, Bailey Middle, North Meck, etc.) to vote against them, you'd better be able to present a viable alternative.....and I have yet to see that. <br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />District 1 Voternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-70796635475583284802013-10-24T13:03:03.390-04:002013-10-24T13:03:03.390-04:00District 1 Voter,
The abomination CMS is trying t...District 1 Voter,<br /><br />The abomination CMS is trying to push with MIE and Coulwood should be reason enough to NOT vote for the bonds.<br /><br />We've seen this movie before; Waddell and Whitewater in the past. Waddell build for placating a base, built in the wrong place and Whitewater built with bad data projections. Whitewater sat there greatly underutilized until we were forced to close schools.<br /><br />CMS/public education has been kicking the status quo can down the road long enough.<br /><br />It's time to get their attention and tell them we have had enough.<br /><br />...another District 1 Voter.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-69108610304518308752013-10-24T12:15:27.157-04:002013-10-24T12:15:27.157-04:00Christine,
Again, I appreciate your response. Bu...Christine,<br /><br />Again, I appreciate your response. But I asked you for details and didn't receive an answer. You're suggesting COPs and PAYGO as an alternative to the bonds on the ballot, but I'm asking WHY you think those will serve the community differently. <br /><br />You've presented yourself as a highly trained accountant who studies and interprets data. To that end, I'm asking for your detailed plan to quickly and efficiently meet the needs of D1 students. Specifically:<br /><br />1) Why do you think the County will be willing to issue COPs at a different rate than they are willing to issue these CO bonds?<br /><br />2) Are you asserting that the County has more PAYGO money available than they are telling us? If so, how much? <br /><br />I respect your admission that you don't know if all of your solutions will work. That's reasonable. But so is my assertion that it's irresponsible to promote COPs and PAYGO as an alternative without doing the research to know whether or not it's viable. What a disservice we would do to our community if we voted against the bonds, only to learn later that COPs and PAYGO funding don't offer a better solution. <br /><br />This type of research should be done before reaching the conclusion that you didn't support the bonds. Especially if you're asking for the honor of representing this community where the job goes far beyond simply coming up with ideas, but more importantly requires "selling" your ideas not only to constituents, but also to the rest of the BOE (and in this case the County Commissioners) if elected. As you've said, collaboration means nothing if it's not effective. <br /><br />I look forward to your detailed response. District 1 Voternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-25970262086401246752013-10-24T10:45:18.143-04:002013-10-24T10:45:18.143-04:00To latest comments directed at me:
I respectfully...To latest comments directed at me:<br /><br />I respectfully disagree with those that say I'm only complaining and not offering solutions. Will all my solutions work? I don't know. But I have offered many many suggestions for ways to improve issues in District One. Alternatively, what has my opponent offered?<br /><br />I offered COPs and PAYGO as an alternative to the current bond package.<br /><br />Similarly, I support the latest addendum from SPARK/SMART, asking the Townships, including the City of Charlotte, to help supplement teachers' pay with COLAs. At last evening's Mayoral Forum, both candidates agreed that the City should help, "where they can."<br /><br />I am advocating for an EFFECTIVE Strategic Plan, one with performance indicators that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented and Timely) Goals, not blank "TBD".<br /><br />I am advocating for strong School Leadership Teams (SLTs), with effective SMART goals in the School Improvement Plans (SIPs). Each school's SLT could formulate the methodology to close achievement gaps, raise math and reading proficiency, etc. The schools know what they need to accomplish these goals, including any necessary funding requests. The SIPs are a way of asking for that help from Central Office.<br /><br />We all need to remember that SLTs are mandated by State Statute to not only create and submit SIPs to District Leadership, but are also required to post their membership lists, meeting minutes (excluding discussions about safety issues) and SIPs on their school websites. I checked all our D1 schools, and overwhelmingly, we are not following that State mandate. This also needs to be fixed.<br /><br />I want to analyze the Billion $ Operating Budget. I want to use my CPA and other career experience to get that done. When has the Operating Budget EVER been put to that kind of scrutiny?<br /><br />Finally, I would offer up to you to read the numerous profiles posted on my "LINKS" page of my website. Each source asked questions of me, and my responses are contained within the links.<br /><br />http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.phpChristine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-28998393388416381162013-10-24T08:30:48.790-04:002013-10-24T08:30:48.790-04:00The JM Alexander replacement school is desperately...The JM Alexander replacement school is desperately needed, and as a JMA parent I agree that the school does not need more classrooms- it just needs a building that is not falling apart. Voting no for the bonds will result in no funding for replacement schools. There is absolutely no evidence that COPS or any alternative source of funding will be made available. <br /><br />I am no fan of the current District 1 representative as she has not done enough to advocate for our district's schools (and her role in closing DIB was particularly galling). But Ms. Mast also seems to have only criticism and no new solutions. Her opposition to the bonds while purporting to support JMA shows a complete lack of common sense. I will be voting for our current representative until someone from our district steps up with positive and common sense solutions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-59506121279025356262013-10-23T21:34:10.767-04:002013-10-23T21:34:10.767-04:00Hi Christine,
District 1 title 1 teacher here ag...Hi Christine, <br /><br />District 1 title 1 teacher here again. I'm a little taken aback by your response. I've been on your website and your Facebook page...and unless I'm missing something, I haven't seen anything about the achievement gap, keeping great teachers in title 1 schools, reading or math proficiency...etc. please point me in the right direction if I'm missing it. <br /><br />I also didn't say you should just get along to get along. My administration would assure you I don't operate that way. But the combative tone and words I've seen you use on Facebook do make me nervous. Passion for change is a wonderful thing, and I share that with you...but I worry about your effectiveness in bringing about change given the way you talk about/to district leadership. <br /><br />I know where you kids go to school (I promise I'm not a creep...it was on one of your pages). And my opinion is that elementary school has a wonderful principal, an experienced and incredibly stable teaching faculty, and a team of dedicated parents (I'm sure yourself included). My only point was that there are many kids in district 1 who don't have advocates like you as their parent, and I need a rep with a strong dedication to them. If that's you, then I want to hear more on the issues I mentioned, and less about how much Highland creek needs more space. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22387523581030075392013-10-23T13:23:47.907-04:002013-10-23T13:23:47.907-04:00Christine,
Thank you for your response.
My poi...Christine,<br /><br />Thank you for your response. <br /><br />My point is that there IS room for the district's IB students at JMA...and the replacement school will allow for even more room. <br /><br />I'm curious why you think the county would be willing to issue COPS (which are more expensive) any faster than they are willing to issue these bonds. Or why you think they would issue more? It's about fiscal responsibility and how much debt the county can afford to service. <br /><br />Also, it's important to note that the county's capital improvement plan already includes $414 million in paygo expenditures. Are you asserting that they actually have more paygo money available? <br /><br />Lastly, as an education advocate myself I have the utmost respect for anyone who steps up and digs in to make a difference. Especially those who do so on a volunteer basis. I'm just struggling to understand how you plan to be effective. Respectfully, this district has no shortage of folks who point out problems....what we need are people with solutions.District 1 Voternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-71270372815548812632013-10-23T11:33:46.753-04:002013-10-23T11:33:46.753-04:00District One Voter,
Our D1 elementary schools are...District One Voter,<br /><br />Our D1 elementary schools are overcrowded. If we're trying to grow our IB program, why don't we want the room for the elementary students to come to JMA?<br /><br />Thanks for referencing my comments on the Strategic Plan. I completely agree that CMS has to move faster. Please see my prior posts regarding options to the Bond package... COPs and/or PAYGO funds.<br /><br />And respectfully, that's exactly what I've been trying to do for over two years now... effect change. That's why I threw my hat into the ring for the District One seat.Christine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-3037666019782000632013-10-23T11:29:04.844-04:002013-10-23T11:29:04.844-04:00To Anon 7:41am,
Thank you for your comments.
Reg...To Anon 7:41am,<br /><br />Thank you for your comments.<br /><br />Regarding rezoning, yes, I agree, that could work. But CMS seems to have handcuffed themselves by not wanting to touch any more rezoning, as they've made such a mess of it in the past.<br /><br />I have to disagree with your statement that a "no" vote will delay District One projects even further. The Bond package calls for JMA to be done 4 years from now, and for the Davidson K-8 to happen 6 years from now.<br /><br />If we vote "no" on the Bonds, why can't CMS ask the County for COPs or PAYGO next year for those District One projects? Why handcuff ourselves into a bond package that is scheduled so far out into the future?<br /><br />Again, I am NOT against school bonds. I AM against this particular package that is too slow and not enough for our District.Christine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-26270513166367574062013-10-23T11:21:04.537-04:002013-10-23T11:21:04.537-04:00To Anon District One Teacher at 6:43am:
Please vi...To Anon District One Teacher at 6:43am:<br /><br />Please visit my website to see more information about issues I've spoken about during this campaign. You'll find many more stories other than "bell schedules and renovations of schools with huge PTA budgets and high test scores."<br /><br />ChristineMastforCMS.weebly.com<br /><br />Regarding the children I "care about," you have been grossly misinformed. I care about all the kids in District One. My two kids actually attend an elementary school that is NEITHER Title One, NOR an affluent school. We have almost 50% FRL, and over one-third ESL. We receive so little funding for our technology, that we have to hold a large fundraiser every year, just to get our teachers and students the technology they need in the classrooms.<br /><br />Finally, if you want to vote for someone that will "get along simply for the sake of getting along," then you're correct. I'm not the candidate for you.Christine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-62512007593259061922013-10-23T11:15:14.729-04:002013-10-23T11:15:14.729-04:00To the Snarky Anon 10:09pm poster,
Yes, I am an a...To the Snarky Anon 10:09pm poster,<br /><br />Yes, I am an accountant and a CPA. I stated a fact about when the bond money would be available. Not sure which facts you're accusing me of twisting.Christine Masthttp://christinemastforcms.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-72563604024001234062013-10-23T10:32:21.757-04:002013-10-23T10:32:21.757-04:008:47
CMS has to be handcuffed. It's the only ...8:47<br /><br />CMS has to be handcuffed. It's the only way to force them to stop wasting tax dollars.<br /><br />Think - silos.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-68906365369689269722013-10-23T08:47:10.651-04:002013-10-23T08:47:10.651-04:00Christine -
I don't understand why you focus...Christine - <br /><br />I don't understand why you focus so much on "only" gaining three classrooms at JMA. That school is not overcrowded. <br /><br />So tell me, if you don't like the bond package because it doesn't address our needs fast enough - what's your plan to address them faster? Certainly the person who is upset about "losing a year" to establish bench marks for measuring Strategic Plan initiatives isn't advocating for losing time by trying to reinvent the capital funding process?<br /><br />If you think the process stinks, work to effect change - but don't handcuff this district in the interim. <br /><br />District 1 Voternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-26479177141495521022013-10-23T08:29:59.216-04:002013-10-23T08:29:59.216-04:00Just read the article about the possiblity of &quo...Just read the article about the possiblity of "hundreds of options." Seriously-if you live in district 6-VOTE NO. None of the options apply to you.<br /><br />Stop letting CMS spend money when none goes to our kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-38620452545985705562013-10-23T07:41:50.851-04:002013-10-23T07:41:50.851-04:00Christine,
While I agree with you about District ...Christine,<br /><br />While I agree with you about District 1 being overcrowded, some of that can be eased by rezoning. Not all of school construction should result in a net add of classrooms. The physical buildings at JM Alexander are severely outdated, I would say even more outdated than the older Davidson IB was.<br /><br />As far as your comment about the school system trying to get the county to fund projects for District 1 by other means.... Ok, so please support the bonds and once you are elected to the BOE you can work on getting the county to go along with that idea.<br /><br />I would like to see more in the bond package for District 1, and for the items affecting District 1 to happen sooner, but voting no for the bond is not going to help that.. In fact, it will do just the opposite. The items in the bond for District 1 are needed.<br /><br />I would also like to state that I appreciate you expressing your opinions as a candidate for my district, even though I do not agree with them.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-23420235157309738262013-10-23T06:43:42.147-04:002013-10-23T06:43:42.147-04:00Christine--I am a teacher in CMS who lives in dist...Christine--I am a teacher in CMS who lives in district 1 and you will not be getting my vote. All I've heard from you is about bell schedules and renovations of schools with huge PTA budgets and high test scores. I teach in a low-income school in district 1, and its clear to me that you are unbelievably removed from the real issues of this school district. I appreciate you advocating for your own children and other kids like them....but I need a representative who is also dedicated to students like mine. They don't get the same level of advocacy as your children. I'm not saying the other issues don't matter, but when we have the dropout rates and reading proficiency levels that we do...let's focus on that first. <br /><br />Also-as long as you continue to act adversarially toward other board members and Dr. Morrison, you will not be effective. If you are elected, please learn to work within the system instead of just refusing to attend events and sending passive (or not so passive) aggressive emails. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-51592016382439007772013-10-23T06:06:37.227-04:002013-10-23T06:06:37.227-04:00District 6 voter here - split CMS into three schoo...District 6 voter here - split CMS into three school systems. Then I'll vote for bonds that go to our system. Simple as that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com