Shocker! Board Wins in Squeaker!
Of course it wasn't really a surprise, but both articles in contention passed handily last night.
It was largely a school crowd, and a large crowd, as though perhaps they were worried about something. A motion to reduce the Board of Director's article by an amount corresponding to that allocated for employing a publicist was defeated 103 to 21.
Most importantly, a secret ballot was employed. This was not necessarily a foregone conclusion. (A recent letter to the Eastern Gazette discussed this issue.) Many readers will remember when these district meetings were conducted by a show of hands. Even so there were grumbles from some in the audience about the time and procedures necessary for a secret ballot.
The people's business was conducted in about an hour, with the gavel coming down at 8:08. BDN article here.
It was largely a school crowd, and a large crowd, as though perhaps they were worried about something. A motion to reduce the Board of Director's article by an amount corresponding to that allocated for employing a publicist was defeated 103 to 21.
Most importantly, a secret ballot was employed. This was not necessarily a foregone conclusion. (A recent letter to the Eastern Gazette discussed this issue.) Many readers will remember when these district meetings were conducted by a show of hands. Even so there were grumbles from some in the audience about the time and procedures necessary for a secret ballot.
The people's business was conducted in about an hour, with the gavel coming down at 8:08. BDN article here.
posted by PP | 6/30/2006 09:01:00 AM
1 Comments:
For those of you who did not attend last night's District Budget meeting I'd like to share my remarks, for the record.
I attempted to amend the Board of Directors' Expenses appropriation from $37,000 to $32,895, thereby eliminating funds to hire a publicist for the new school project, for the following reasons:
I believe that a publicist will likely be viewed as an attempt to shade the facts or spin the truth.
I think that the public school institution should be capable of sharing relevant information with the public, after all isn't that the essence of teaching?
I truly believe that it is unfair to tax potential opponents of a school project to fund a campaign against their own interests.
It is my opinion that an organized, voluntary grass-roots effort would be more credible and effective.
Only 21 of those present agreed with my proposal last night, but as George Bernard Shaw once wrote,"The government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul".
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