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Post by cf school on Aug 22, 2008 8:35:39 GMT -5
NC parent...I appreciate your concern regarding what the new candidates propose to do about this current boundary issue, but I've spoken to a couple of the candidates...this isn't necessarily the driving force for why they are running. Sure it's an issue that's important...But if you've followed the school board before this issue, or if you've done research on the practices of this board even prior to the boundary issues I think you'd agree that there are a lot of reasons to see some new people on the board at this point.
I've sat on a few boards in my lifetime and talked to several people who have been on many boards and never have I seen a board that votes unanimous for every vote. That's almost unheard of. What that tells me is that most decisions are made well prior to the vote without considering all the facts and they are just rubber stamping everything that's put in front of them without thoughtful consideration and debate.
I guess if you've been on a board for as long as some of the incumbents have you can become complacent. Having some new ideas and fresh perspective will be good for the whole district and all the issues that it faces not just this boundary issue.
I sure hope the candidates aren't running just to tackle this boundary issue, because they will find themselves making a lot of other very important decisions that need to be important to them as well.
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Post by NC Parent on Aug 22, 2008 8:43:36 GMT -5
I agree new blood is important and think it is definitely time for change, but what are they proposing? I just would like to hear why I should vote. It concerns me that there may be too much of a shake up just because of this controversy. As I said, I am all for new blood and getting involved, but what are their plans for change. I would just like to hear more about the future, and less about what people feel are the mistakes of the past. If these candidates are truly about positive change then they it needs to be communicated much more clearly. If they truly are doing what is right for CF kids, then help me understand what that will be .....
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Post by linnea on Aug 22, 2008 10:38:26 GMT -5
One of the reasons North Cedar School is under capacity is because the neighborhood lost over 150 houses to flood buyouts in the 1990's. That's not a problem with the school itself. The building is there, and it's perfectly functional (if not quite so new and shiny as some of the other buildings). It makes sense for the district to get its (our) money's worth out of it by sending more students there, even if they have to come from farther away.
How long does the whole process of selling bonds, drawing up plans, and building a new school take? Five years? I agree that the board was right to move some students now.
The one thing I disagree with is that they dropped the idea of sending the kids from Married Student Housing at UNI to North Cedar. Those kids are only there temporarily, and they have to be bused somewhere. They could have relieved a lot of crowing at Orchard Hill by moving them.
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Post by chilidog on Aug 22, 2008 11:02:29 GMT -5
The one thing I disagree with is that they dropped the idea of sending the kids from Married Student Housing at UNI to North Cedar. Those kids are only there temporarily, and they have to be bused somewhere. They could have relieved a lot of crowing at Orchard Hill by moving them. I am amazed that someone so focused on NC actually realizes what a scr@2 job those of us moved from S'Dale to Orchard got. Yep Orchard is overcrowded now and gee Mr Stoakes where did those kids come from. Boundary plan is and always was a mess.
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Post by linnea on Aug 22, 2008 11:08:36 GMT -5
Typo there - that should have been "crowding", not "crowing".
I talk about North Cedar a lot because that's where I live and send my kids to school. I've made that same comment about Married Student Housing before.
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Post by forthekids on Aug 27, 2008 21:26:47 GMT -5
Let's face the facts, the boundary deal is still important because they messed up and after moving kids around accomplished absolutely nothing. It didn't even work short term, so of course people are still upset.
However, the silver lining is that it made so many people wake up to the fact that the current board is not running open honest meetings, they all vote unanimously every time, etc. Before this I don't think most people realized the board members have been on there so long. I sure didn't and I feel like an idiot for being so complacent. I think it is time their little club open up to new members. I went to the meet and greet on Sunday and the new candidates will serve us well. They are interesed in things like early foreign language, smaller class sizes and fiscal responsibility. They will ask the right questions so the can make sound decisions. They have small children and thus a long-term committment to our schools and community.
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Post by guest77 on Aug 28, 2008 21:27:09 GMT -5
Smaller class sizes, that is what NC has, so you are saying they are backing the current boards decision, thanks for getting on board with the current board.
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Post by linnea on Aug 29, 2008 12:24:14 GMT -5
Guest77, I'm not sure who the "they" is that you're referring to.
I'm a North Cedar parent, and I support the current board in changing the boundaries and moving students to North Cedar. However, I don't think they went far enough. I would have liked to see the kids from Married Student Housing moved to North Cedar as well, as the boundary committee recommended.
It's ironic that North Cedar ended up with even smaller class sizes than before, since it was the least in need of them.
My understanding is that the slate of candidates CFKF is running don't support moving *any* resident students, so I don't think I agree with them. I have particular reservations about Mr. Cornish, who claims to have a longterm interest in the Cedar Falls public schools but is sending his child (or children? not sure how many of them are school age) to private school. He was quoted in the Courier as saying they switched to private school because it was within walking distance of their house; is their six-year-old really going to walk 1.8 miles each way to school all year? Because if not, I smell some hypocracy.
If this sounds judgmental, so be it. I believe that if you're running for public office, you should expect to have your actions and motivations scrutinized and judged.
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Post by linnea on Aug 29, 2008 12:25:21 GMT -5
Let me also add that I plan to go to the candidates' forum on Tuesday, and I am open to having my mind changed.
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Post by cf parent on Aug 31, 2008 8:57:37 GMT -5
It is true Mr. Cornish has a child at private school, St. Pat's.
I met him at the meet and greet, he was very forthcoming about this.
I do not understand why this would be a concern? Using that arguement, that his kids do not attend public schools, Well, how do you than support the incumbants, neither do they.
Look at the big picture, can the three challengers bring new ideas and energy. You can still have the balance you need given they would be on a board with four experienced members.
It's very exciting to have young American's getting involved in their local school board.
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Post by cf parent on Aug 31, 2008 10:09:29 GMT -5
It is true Mr. Cornish has a child at private school, St. Pat's.
I met him at the meet and greet, he was very forthcoming about this.
I do not understand why this would be a concern? Using that arguement, that his kids do not attend public schools, Well, how do you than support the incumbants, neither do they.
Look at the big picture, can the three challengers bring new ideas and energy. You can still have the balance you need given they would be on a board with four experienced members.
It's very exciting to have young American's getting involved in their local school board.
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Post by linnea on Sept 1, 2008 14:00:33 GMT -5
As far as I know, the incumbents' children are too old for school, but did attend CF public schools. (That's something to check into at the candidates' meeting on Thursday.)
I have a problem with someone whose actions say "I want to be in charge of the public school system but I'm not willing to put my own children into it." I'd like to know what changes Mr. Cornish would need to see before sending his children to public school.
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Post by VQ1ZMFY on Sept 1, 2008 23:01:08 GMT -5
Linnea,
The best course of action for you may be to attend this Thursday's forum, ask Mr. Cornish yourself and let him answer.
Ask tough questions of all the candidates so you can make an informed and intellingent vote.
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Post by CF Parent on Sept 1, 2008 23:10:42 GMT -5
Linnea,
point of reference, school board is not in "charge of the school". We the tax payers can and are in charge of our own schools. By getting involved in our children's education, we take charge of the direction and success of our school district.
This current board and former board memebers like Marlene Behn seem to have forgotten this. In a democratic society, we the people can take charge of our schools, local, state and national government and offices.
No incumbant is entitled or more qualified to serve because they have "more experience". Some of our most experienced politicians have been the most corrupt, because they served too long and became more interested in "being in control" than serving the common good.
If experience is the criteria, why waste our childrens time in education and college....because when they graduate...well...they are not qualified to enter the workforce as they "have no experienc".
Please
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Post by linnea on Sept 2, 2008 10:07:31 GMT -5
I do plan to attend the forum, and I do plan to ask that question.
CF Parent, your post doesn't make sense to me. Obviously the school board members are not the only ones who have input into the running of the schools. But they do have important decision-making power; otherwise, why are either the incumbents or the new candidates bothering to run?
Also, I never said anything about supporting the incumbents simply because they have more experience. The new candidates are espousing ideas I don't agree with. Therefore I won't support them, unless I hear something on Thursday that changes my mind.
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