Ballot Language Needed for Clear Decision

Ann February 14, 2012 at 02:55 pm

By law, the ballot language will be published well ahead of the election date, and will follow the dictates of Section 380.1361 of the Revised School Code:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(gglawve12jxcvmr5h3ibhv55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-380-1361 Under state law, bond proceeds may not be used to pay teacher or administrator salaries, routine maintenance or repair costs or other school district operating expenses.

J Arch February 14, 2012 at 05:43 pm

"Until the ballot language is approved by the board, taxpayers really have NO IDEA what they will be getting or how much it will cost."
I would disagree with this statement Jenny. The taxpayers are being provided with anple idea of what the Board intends to ask for in terms of project cost, scope and justification via communication outlets such as the Town Hall presentations and the District's web site. Once ballot language is adopted and approved, with notice as legally required, taxpayers will be able to confirm that information prior to the election. Characterizing this as some kind of stealth campaign is disengenuous in my opinion. J. Wagner

Cara McAlister February 15, 2012 at 01:47 am

The school district is conducting the equivalent of an old fashioned travelling medicine show. Ladies and Gentlemen, step right up! See the marvelous, expensive (albeit good for us) high school. Good for what ails you. I have not heard of a firm cost to taxpayers, because total cost is principal multiplied by interest rate over a term (probably 30 years). Maintenance costs, personnel costs and total costs are just estimates. Holding a construction tax vote in May, instead of November, is sneaky, at best. Why would this be done? Because it is not expected and gives the district a better chance at sneaking it through. Shame on our school administrators and Board. Bloomfield taxpayers have been generous, never turning down requests for Sinking Funds to keep up with maintenance and renovation. The district has no reason to be condescending, asking four times in less than 10 years if the majority of taxpayers will approve a large, new or mostly new high school. We said "NO". The Board responds with, "but, just take this medicine, it will be good for you because we are told by our consultants, that we should do this." Demand better treatment by those you elected into Board seats. Rob Glass said if the tax bond is voted down this time, "no" will mean "no". Let's maintain what is better for teenagers. Two, well maintained, smaller high schools. We didn't move to Royal Oak or Lake Orion or Troy for a reason, right? We are Bloomfield Hills and we deserve the best.

Linda P February 15, 2012 at 02:05 am

It's a stealth campaign when you select a ballot date that does not permit the largest majority to vote....what is Glass and Board afraid of? What a joke

J Arch February 15, 2012 at 02:07 am

Cara, please stop with the misinformation. The voters were asked to fund the building of one new high school ONCE. Prior to that, the voters were asked to fund the building of two separate new high schools. Enrollment is driving the need to consolidate into one school, not the desire to have a new building. When your daughter attended Lahser, she could get all her desired classes in one building. My daughter, to get the same choice or even approaching it, has had to shuttle between three buildings in one semester, losing at least 30 minutes a day in instructional time. How is that BETTER?
J. Wagner

J Arch February 15, 2012 at 02:21 am

"It's a stealth campaign when you select a ballot date that does not permit the largest majority to vote....what is Glass and Board afraid of? What a joke"
That's another inaccuracy Linda. The District has asked the taxpayers to weigh in on the pros and cons of putting the question on the ballot in May versus November. The cons to doing it in May are the cost for a special election ($60K) and the uncertainty of turnout. The advantages of doing it in May are that if the bond passes, the project gets done sooner and operational savings from a fully consolidated high school (on one campus) are realized one academic year sooner. Also, the portions of the project that would be affected by winter construction are less critical if the project is allowed to start sooner, saving overhead costs on the project as well by shortening its overall duration. The District has been very open about this issue in its communications. If you feel so strongly that this is a "joke," I encourage you to attend a Town Hall to express that concern. I believe Rob Glass would be more than willing to discuss it with you. J. Wagner

Linda P February 15, 2012 at 09:08 pm

By the way Mr. Arch or Mr.Wagner...you ought to remember to delete your auto signature when using an assumed name.

Linda P February 15, 2012 at 09:10 pm

Another innaccuracy? hardly my friend. Since when is a decision made by a minority of voters to speed up a project not voted on by the majority of residents an advantage. Your comments expose why the decision to hold the bond vote in May is being held. Encourage me to attend a town hall? What makes you think I haven't? The inaccuracies and lopsided presentation are laughable.

J Arch February 15, 2012 at 09:15 pm

Linda, please enlighten us on what inaccuracies you feel are being presented? I have no personal stake in this issue as my youngest child will be graduated before the project is completed if the bond is approved. But based on the information I have gathered, I find the District's case to be credible and the proposed solution to be in the best interest of the future students, families and taxpayers. So if you know something I don't know, I'd love to hear it in specifics, please.
J. Wagner

J Arch February 15, 2012 at 09:26 pm

J Arch is simply the screen name I'm registered under, Linda. I sign with my true name as a courtesy to those like yourself with whom I am having a dialogue. It's not an auto signature, it's intentional as a sign of full disclosure. I find it odd that you would try to twist it into something else.
As you'll see in all my posts, I don't resort to personal criticisms or attacks. I respect everyone's viewpoints as long as they are supported by facts and not inuendo or false/misleading information. J. Wagner

Frank Laurinec February 16, 2012 at 03:08 am

Dear Ann,
Thank you for providing the evidence to support your statement. In class, students are required to footnote their statements of fact and I'm glad that you did as well. This helps to focus the discussion on facts, not simply opinion. Frank Laurinec, Teacher Lahser HS President, Bloomfield Hills Education Association

Frank Laurinec February 16, 2012 at 03:14 am

Dear Linda,
While one can argue the merits of a May or November date for the proposed bond election, the election hardly meets the definition of "stealth". The community will be the most informed and be the most motivated with a May vote. Frank Laurinec, Teacher Lahser HS President, Bloomfield Hills Education Association

Frank Laurinec February 16, 2012 at 03:35 am

Dear Cara,
Again, let us try to stick to facts. As someone who has attended a number of community presentations on the proposed high school and bond, your statements are not accurate. You can now view one of the town hall meetings that have been held around the community. http://www.bloomfield.org/bhs-unified-high-school In the presentation, Tina Kostiuk, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, states that the proposed bond length would be for approximately 26 years. In addition, there is a slide in the powerpoint presentation which shows the cost to homeowners. As for maintenance costs, Brian Goby, Director of Physical Plant services, should be consulted for that information. Personnel costs should go down a bit as some positions will be eliminated due to duplication. Finally, you mention Royal Oak, Lake Orion and Troy because I believe that you were trying to make the point that you prefer two smaller high schools rather than one, larger school, as those communities have. However, Troy has two high schools, Athens and Troy High. Frank Laurinec,Teacher Bloomfield Hills High School, Home of the Black Hawks President, Bloomfield Hills Education Association

Linda P February 16, 2012 at 03:57 am

A May vote lacks credibility. Period. May ballots for school issues should be banned. For an issue as important as what happens to our schools.....the broadest input and turnout should be south. That is November, anything else is a sham.

Emily Eichenhorn February 16, 2012 at 04:36 am

At every election, all registered voters have the right to vote, no matter the time of year or month the election is held. A May election is as legitimate as any other. I was taught to never miss an election and to always respect and exercise my precious right to vote. There is nothing "stealth" about holding an open election on an advertised, designated and legal election day and date. We'll be given ample notice of when the election is scheduled, I'm sure, and all voters will be given the proper opportunity to participate.