Holland is ‘baffled’ by council’s action in light of referendum
September 26, 2012 at 7:00 am in Hudson Star-Observer
Profoundly disappointed is how Hudson Board of Education President Tom Holland described himself following the decision by the Hudson City Council not to rezone St. Croix Meadows for use as a school.
The voters, including those in the city of Hudson, approved a referendum to purchase the former St. Croix Meadows dogtrack last April. Continue Reading
The school board should occasionally check the weather outside of their own little idyllic world, and see what the rest of us see. Then maybe Tom wouldn’t be so baffled.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
53 
15
This article states: “While it is too soon to be specific, Holland said the board and administration are considering other options. ‘And we are looking at doing some things that will shorten the time it will take. We think that is the right thing to do for the community.’” I’d like to know how the board could already be considering other options and looking at doing things when the board has not even had a scheduled meeting since the 9/17 city council meeting. Are the school board members talking outside of an open meeting? Holland’s comments make it clear that they are.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
51 
13
What is so baffling to our school board president? I personally find it baffling that only one school board member actually lives in the city of Hudson and yet they are all so quick to tell the city that no one is going to want the SCM property (apparently their ‘experts’ have crystal balls), don’t worry about your taxes, and were quick to try to play ‘Let’s make a deal’ with the city council, which in most other contexts would be considered a bribe. In my opinion, there is no amount of money they could have bribed the city with that would replace the potential tax revenue and jobs that could come to that site in the future. That is a risk that the city has every right to take. It is not up to the school board to decide that for the city of Hudson. Just look at what happened last week at the former Duro Bag facility…..it has been purchased by a developer from the cities. He turns old warehouses into business incubators. Apparently he sees a diamond in the rough. I guess he didn’t consult with the school board before he made that crazy move.
The school board needs to go back to their undisclosed secret location and open up the doors, let in a little light and fresh air and put a solid plan together….a real plan, for real space in a location that will actually allow construction. It might also help if some of the board members actually had ranging opinions instead of the ‘one voice’ approach they have taken. A little discussion would be nice for a change. It sounds too much like an echo chamber.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
49 
13
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
12 
39
At $8.25M I’m sure the Duro Bag buyer didn’t even give SCM a second look – he got a much better deal buying what he did.
As to Holland being “baffled”, what a disgrace this school board is. Here you have a group of board members, one holding the title of lawyer, another a jet fighter pilot, and a person who was the YMCA’s vice-president of capital development – all being college educated, yet none of them smart enough to do some research to understand municipal zoning.
And we wonder why public education is going downhill???
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
44 
13
At least one of them should have asked the question ‘what IF the city decides not to rezone the property’. Even someone without a college degree should have been able to come up with that one. Problem is, I don’t think the superintendent would take too kindly to such a question being asked, especially in public. It was not part of the script.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
10
Board member Gehrke had raised that question on numerous occasions to the superintendent and the rest of the board. By their consistent responses stating there would be no need for such a back up plan, it is safe to say they never imagined this day would come. Most leadership team members should understand that mapping out a worse-case scenario plan is imperative to moving forward when their preferred one goes awry. It is time to recruit some true leaders for the school board who are selfless individuals committed to creating a positive environment by inspiring others.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
12
Baffled?
why? what a doofus.
Hot debate. What do you think?
27 
14
If they want an alternative plan, take a look at the editorials in this weeks paper! The idea to build a new elementary on UU site and make Hudson Prairie the 6-7 building and Middle school the 8-9 building is the FIRST idea I have seen that will be waaaaay less expensive, take care of the space issues they say we have and more do-able than the ridiculous ideas this schools board has tried to shove down our throats. We can then use property and buildings we already own.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
23 
8
You are sort of missing the point Hudson Mama, though I am tracking with the idea completely and think it is more than viable. The SCM issue was not just about alleviating a space issue, it was about building a dynasty and massive new sports complex. You are being far too logical and practical, you really need to think BIGGER.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
25 
8
This is true..what was I thinking!!! Logic? If I used logic I would not have used a convicted felon as an appraaiser. My mistake for expecting these people to use logic. Maybe if we can ever vote in ssome with brains, who care about their community and are not Mary BE puppets, we can finally make some progress here.
)
Hot debate. What do you think?
22 
8