Response to Superintendent's Message of March 19:
Dr Hammond,
I find your message condescending and once again short-sighted in our overall goal....the education of our children.
You state..."Your participation during board meetings on the 2008-2009 budget and ongoing input in the midst of this budget crisis has been vital." Has been? You mean "will be", right? There hasn't been any ongoing discussion. We just found out about the possibility of an Emerson closure. What we would like is an ongoing discussion to actually consider options and alternatives, and not just a "Thank you for speaking and sending your emails, but we've already made our decision and we don't really care what anybody thinks."
You go on to say "As the board continues to cope with the many important fiscal issues our district is facing, it is paramount that district staff and the trustees are provided ample time to discuss these matters during a reasonable hour. We simply cannot make crucial decisions well after midnight." Are you kidding me!!! If you have to stay up all night working on a solution, you must!! Our kids spend more time finishing school projects and book reports than you are allowing for discussion on the future of education in this town. This is a study session for a final exam, put some effort into it. Everyone who shows up and wants to speak should be heard. If that takes all night, then bring some coffee, but we will be heard. 45 mins? Our rally lasted longer. KCRA Channel 3 listened longer to parents and children than you are giving us at the meeting. I urge the Board President to allow flexibility in the time for all to be heard and not outline "new parameters" as you have noted.
Finally, you ask for our "support as we continue to navigate through the challenges of our state's budget. The fine community volunteers that make up our school board have a vested and strong interest in making the best decisions possible as we strive to keep our district solvent." You support us first!! Give us a reason to support you. Be creative and think outside the box. A solution exists that does not include closing Emerson or any School, you just haven't found it. If the you and the Board listened with an open mind, you would hear those suggestions. You work for us. The Board works for and represents us.
When, we the people, feel we aren't being represented properly and being managed competently, we can replace the Board and a new Board can replace you. Now get to work!!!
Robert Shumway
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