- From a Concerned Citizen:
WHY I’M VOTING YES ON THE REFERENDUM
Why
would I want to vote “YES” for the school referendum? Why would we
burden ourselves with increased taxes? Lois and I really have no ties
to Durand having lived here only nine years. We have no family here;
our children live in St. Paul area where we lived for a number of
years. We’re senior citizens; well past the age when many already have
their “toes in the air”. And, we also believe in Limited Government and
controlled spending. Isn’t this contrary to vote for the referendum?
If this were 2008, I would vote against the referendum. At that time
the School District of Durand was in a state of chaos. The BOE answered
to the Superintendent! There were “yes” people on the BOE. That’s the
management working for the workers! Isn’t that upside down? It’s not
the way to operate a multi‑million dollar corporation!
Some
of you probably consider me an “agitator” for getting involved. Maybe I
was an agitator but it was proposed to build an over-priced practice
football field. When I did a “non-professional audit” of the books, I
found what I consider a “slush fund” and some “less than rational”
financial and management decisions that were affecting the education of
the children. How often have you heard that, “It’s for the children”?
A
LONG STORY SHORT! Over a period of years, concerned citizens became
more involved. Elected dedicated citizens changed the BOE making
decisions. The School Administration changed. The Community came
together to build the practice football field and an “outstanding”
baseball field that also attracted American Legion baseball.
Those
were the visible physical properties. PROGRESS! The education
environment changed. How many of you know that Durand was #22 of the
461 WI schools in ACT scores, rated #746 of over 46,000 US school
districts by the US News and World Report, students built a high mileage
vehicle that got 946 MPG and #3 in international competition, awarded Multiple Academic Decathlon State Championships, have Exceeded Expectations on two straight State report cards, are consistently at the top of the State in Forensics, competed in the nationals for FCCLA, qualified to compete at the national level in National History Day, one of three high schools in the CVTC District to receive the Transcripted Credit Partnership Award and are on track to receive over $50,000 worth of Transcripted Credits this year and participating in the shared venture between CVTC, Durand High School and Mondovi High School to create a Manufacturing Academy Program.
AND
the mil-rate (the school tax) has not increased! Shall I go on? This
PROGRESS is because of the energetic students, dedicated employees,
forward looking administration, a supportive community, involved
parents, and a visionary Board of Education. Don’t forget the
taxpayers!
You
make your own decision but this is why I intend to vote YES on the
school referendum. AND, I believe in education. Also, we like Durand.
“The Agitator who has no skin in the game other than the taxes that I pay".
Earl Vraa
Durand
