by INFORUM
Forum editorial: West Fargo schools at crossroads
May 21, 2011 at 7:31 pm in INFORUM
West Fargo School District voters who oppose the bond referendum on Tuesday either don’t understand the demographics of the district or don’t care. Or maybe they have some petty personal gripe with the school board or administration. Continue Reading
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I see the FORUM has resorted to the same tactics as the PRO Build group – ridicule and try to shame those who have a differening viewpoint, rather than try to understand why they have their view. If the FORUM is for something, it seems many many times in the past the people are against it, lets hope this is the case this time as well.
Name calling, trying to shame others is not the way to debate an issue. Its surprising that just this week it was in the news that Mandan also has growth issues, but rather than tax and build they are thinking of looking at other options like year round schooling, staggering school days, etc to save their taxpayers money – so why couldn’t WF have thought of these other ideas (I have personally experienced year round schooling in Colorado and it works fine – students still have the same amount of time off only not all at once – they have been doing it for over 25 years down there).
VOTE NO!
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Liberty I’m trying to find something on the web which talks about Mandan looking at all these other options and can’t find anything. Could you provide a link so I can read about it?? So far all I’ve found is they are dealing with overcrowding too but are looking at a vote to build an elementary school and then possibly some remodeling/adding on to their middle and high schools.
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Here is the link – see at least Mandan is thinking outside the box and looking at other alternatives – while their first preference is to build at least other options are being discussed – http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_567e75fc-80bf-11e0-81a5-001cc4c002e0.html
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If you would follow the school board minutes under planning and development committee, you would see that WF looked at many options as Mandan did. They are at a different stage in the process than Mandan is. WF has taken the feedback and studied the options and came up with the best plan they could. There was plenty of opportunity to contact the board, administration, etc. and provide your input. The plan that is being presented is not the “board’s plan” and has not been taken lightly. Many options were considered and input was provided and the plan they have now best meets the needs of the students to accomodate the large growth the district is experiencing. WF has almost as many students as Fargo and Fargo has more middle schools and high schools. Why is it that WF should cram all of it’s students into one middle school and one high school and have people think that is OK?
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@KLND the people against this haven’t and just aren’t going to follow the school board minutes or attempt to do any kind of serious study of the issue. I get that’s what the article is getting at. That’s why they’re on this forum spouting off their brilliant plans which DUH have already been long and carefully considered by the board who actually has spent years researching the issue at hand.
I hope the board doesn’t get too beleaguered by a few extremists. I hope they continue to make progress in educating the public no matter what happens on Tuesday (I’m sure it will come closer to passing than it did last year in any case). In recent years at least one other ND school board had to bring the vote several times before they could build due to overcrowding, it’s worth it to do what they feel is right! The board are the people with years of expertise on the topic and know what needs to be done. People are short sighted and there’s a lot at stake, 20 years from now try selling your house when no one wants to live in a community with a poor school district!
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I also say vote no
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Have I ever once said schools are not needed? Point out where I have said that – you want factual statements from me, I ask for the same. I have continually said I don’t trust the school board (like others have articulated so well in other FORUM stories and a letter to the editor today) that they won’t use their “flexibility” to take the citizens for a ride and remove the voice of the citizens. I for one agree with others who think that the school district is trying to get a blank check to use the $11 million for what they want and to remove the voice of the people.
You are right its about more than a mesaly couple hundred bucks – its about integrity, truth, honesty in the school board and its about keeping citizens involved in the decision process unlike what the school board/administration is trying to do. This is eerily familiar to when Davies was decided to be built in Fargo – the citizens voices were left out – and I for one don’t merely think its a coincedence that the same superintendent is involved in both decision to remove the citizens voice.
I feel no shame about my stance, but why do you resort the name calling, trying to ridicule, shame those who disagree with you? Is it perhaps because there may be some validity in their concerns? Why can’t the “Pro Build” people sell their project rather than resort to ridicule? Why? Is it because even they know the project may not be viable? If your project is so worthy one would think the focus would be on selling the project, not tearing down the opposition.
I have never once saw the NO people resort to name calling/shaming tactics to the “YES” people – you may want to rethink your tactics!
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What have you “no” voters done to educate yourselves on this vote. For most the answer is NOTHING but complain. Did you go to the meetings and ask your questions? If not, you have not done your job as a taxpayer to do this city and district justice. If you did, did you ask questions or sit there with a smug look and not want to hear what is being presented? I do not want to see my taxes go up either but progress is needed. At least this plan is not railroaded through like the “Walaker Flood Diversion 1% sales tax” that we as a county are stuck paying until it fails.
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Yes I did attend meetings and information sessions and even spoke up during the meetings – there were both NO and YES people there and at the April 19 meeting the school board president even stopped the NO people from responding to questions about their concerns or to continue to ask questions even when no one else was asking questions – why did she shut people down?? Is that how she ramrodded this past the school board – after all they were all forced to read a book on school bonding success and a united front from the school board is what is needed for this to succeed (I have seen an email from her stating this), did she use her strong arm tactics on those members who may have been on the fence? If her actions in public are any indication of how she rules, its a strong possibility!
We did go to meeting, we are informed but while I thought I could have a meaningful debate with Steve & Meaghan I see they resort to the same name calling tactics.
People sell your plan don’t tear down your opponents!
And I disagree – the voice of the citizens are being removed via the blank check and this is being railroaded through much like the Walaker Flood DIversion plan was
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First of all the super of WF is a male. His name is Dr. Flowers. Did you not get the answer you wanted and kept changing the wording of the question until they shut you down as some do? Your vote is your vote, but please do not complain of class size in the coming years. That is all i ask.
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Has West Fargo given people an estimate of what this will add to their property taxes – e.g. 100.00 per 100,000. home value?
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are you familiar with how “average” works?
they dont just go around hanging gold on everyones doors to make them the same.
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How much of this is caused by the federal government dumping the ESL crowd into this area as a result of their failed foreign policy?
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Kevin, some parents I know say that in the past few years, West Fargo High has started to look like a different country – so to speak. They also said that they have separate registration and conference times for all of these kids that our dear L’s have brought in. They believe it is most likely because the parents would have a fit if they saw what the L’s have done to their once great school. In the past few years, WFHS has gone from a greatschools.net rating of around 9 to a 3. From what I’ve heard, you have hit the nail on the head.
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Maybe I am voting no because, the previous, less expensive measures failed and now the board and super are shoving and even bigger project down our throats. I’m told that schools these days just cost this much money and we should accept it. I say NO we shouldn’t. You have completely convinced me we need the schools. How do I convince you to SPEND LESS without voting NO, AGAIN?
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I don’t have a dog in the hunt since I don’t live in WF. If I did, the only way I would vote for it is if there were assurances that the schools to be built would be built with no frills, no fancy atrium’s or elaborate “bells and whistles.†The kids just need classrooms, not beautiful aesthetics. Four walls and some classrooms with teachers who teach not indoctrinate. Absent those assurances I would vote no.
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Actually, DLA, welcome to America where we are ALL free to have an opinion and express it (even if you don’t like it.)
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I see the pot….kettle….hmmm lol!
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Hmmm… First, according to your logic, the basic 4 wall design of the home I (and 99% of the community) choose to live in makes it a prison but I don’t feel like a prisoner. Not even in the simple square school I gre up in that is still in use today. Second, there sure is a cost difference square buildings versus those that are curved and arched, etc. Since when does a curved roof make kids smarter and better able to succeed in the world (rhetoric)? In reality, I hope that people looking to move to WF look at the quality of the educational programs versus the elaborate school buildings. If they are looking at the superficial buildings (judging a book by it’s cover or keeping up with the Jones’) versus the best education for thier kids then I hope they think twice before becoming our neighbors. I would rather pay more in taxes to have a diverse quality curriculum versus a school that looks like an airport terminal or one that looks like 5 different buildings that blends into the residential area.
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Absolutely. We should be frugal with our dollars by utilizing them only for items that would reap real rewards for the students. Instead of idiotically opulent buildings, put more money toward offering more A.P. classes so the kids can get a jump on College credits. In fact, I think money should be removed from some of the stupid programs they have and put toward that anyway.
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DLA it sounds as if you have a dysfunctional community at that.
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I still have to aske about putting the students that are in fargo city limits in fargo school district wouldnt that fix two of the issues both districts are dealing with?
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I look at the 250 dollars a year this way.. I have no kids in school, Yet I support this bond vote. I would like to sell my home some day, to me the 250 per year in the schools is worth more than any 1000 dollars in upgrading my house, It’s a 4 bedroom 2 bath house. If the city it’s located in, has schools that are crowded and crappy, and the kids get bussed miles away for first grade, I will not be able to sell it to a family with kids no matter how many thousands I discount it. If the schools are excellent and nearby, I will have no problem selling it to a family at a premium. good luck, IF YOU LIVE IN THE DISTRICT YOU CAN VOTE!! Whether you live in WF, Fargo, Horace, Reilles Acres or Harwood. Vote, either way, just get yourself educated and vote. It is your unwritten obligation as a citizen.
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I wonder if Dave Olson has changed his mind again and will vote NO today. Didn’t he think that maybe he got on the school board because he was representing the NO voters…Now that he is in he is just going with the flow. Dave you let alot of people down!!!
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