Saturday, January 16, 2010

One person's account of the Town Hall meeting & school levy

We've had many positive comments. People have said it was great to see elected officials from the county,city and state, as well as members from the school board, together in one place and to have the opportunity to hear them speak directly to them and respond to their questions. GPAT recorded it and so did the Advocate. The Advocate has video on their web site.

It was great opportunity for the people in our community to meet and connect with key leaders in our community who are working on our behalf to build a better community. We were very fortunate to have their participation in that public forum. We felt it was a very positive step in building a closer-knit community.

I think it was very clear that the message of the evening was that the path to community revitatlization starts and ends right here - we have to invest in ourselves before others will have an interest in investing in us.

Speaking for myself ....

Our country and our community was built by volunteers and community leaders, people who had the vision to see into the future, to build a better community where people want to live, work and raise their families. In our community they built our library, hospital, Memorial Hall, our down town, the city park, etc. They built buildings and planted tress for generations in the future so those who came after them could have a nice quality of life.

We are now at the crossroads where we, the people who live and work here, need to be the next generation of visionairies.... to plant those trees, replace aging schools, attract businesses that will have sustainable futures, not close their doors and move someplace else to make that happen.

We need to be the generation who revitalizes our community for those who live here now and in the future. For those who have been given the task to make this happen, it is a huge job and they need our support.

On Feb. 2, the voters of Greenville have an opportunity to take the first step, to invest in our future, by voting yes for the school bond. I can not think of a better or more visible investment in our community than a new middle school. The TIME is NOW while we have an unique opportunity to get special funding from the state, while interest rates and the cost of building supplies are low. As taxpayers, our tax money has gone to build schools in OTHER communities across Ohio. NOW is the Time to get some of our tax money back in our community - to help build a new middle school.

We are very fortunate to have Susie Riegle as our School Superintendent. I believe we would be hard pressed to find a school superintendent who invests more time, effort, passion, and energy in the children she has been appointed to protect and educate. I have found her to be a woman with great integrity. If a new school was not needed to protect and educate these children, she would not be asking the voters to support the school bond by voting YES on Feb. 2.

35 comments:

  1. so, now DJ has anonymous opinion authors?

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  2. I've said this before. The mainstream media (national, state, and local) all pretend to have certain standards, and then they all break their own standards. Here at DarkeJounral there are no rules. It's whatever I want, whenever I want. Take it or leave it.

    In this instance, I had no other coverage of the town hall - so I was happy to have this account.

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  3. When I look at the past superintendents of Greenville Schools the past 10 years...Susie Reigle puts them all to shame. I don't know her personally, but from what I see and hear, she does put the time in and tries to do what is best for the school system. There is no way I would tackle a job like hers, and I think that most of the people that read DJ probably wouldn't want to have her daily plate either.
    I've said it before, and I know that others have too...there are plenty of cons with buidling a new middle school, but the pros outweigh the cons. If the schools can get the state money to this now, then do it. I will vote yes.

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  4. Does it matter if you know who it was? Does that change the content of the article?

    Find something else to complain about.

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  5. what cons could there be to replacing a 70-80 year old building teaching the next generation of leaders... all of the buildings need replaced. (by the way, i have no idea how old the building is other than >50).

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  6. I wonder how old some of the buildings are at the Ivy League schools such as Yale. It is a object of status to go to those of the "Old School" prestige with the old bricks and ivy.

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  7. Yale? Do you realize how much money YALE has?!!

    16 BILLION in their endowment...Unlike Greenville City Schools, they have plenty of money to keep their "Old School" buildings in excellent condition.

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  8. My disappointment was this meeting was billed as an “Economic Meeting of Greenville / Darke County” and it should have been billed as “Why we should build a new School”. I think there would have been a better attendance if it had been billed the later… I know that most say that a new school is a step to bringing business to Greenville / Darke County, but that does not explain why not be up front what the basis of the meeting was for.

    Although I have not made up my mind as to vote for or against the levy, I continue to be very skeptical of the School Board. The citizens were snookered when they bought the land because if you remember all of a sudden they found this surplus of money when they ask the voters for funding. Maybe they are trying this time to be up front, but their past history still makes me very skeptical.

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  9. Ivy league schools can afford to upgrade their old buildings to keep them up to quality and techonological standards.

    For greenville to do that would require more money than anyone would reasonable want to spend.

    You can't really compare the two, i'm not sure why you would even attempt it.

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  10. As someone who is against any new taxes, I must make an exception in this particular case for the following reasons: Our own tax dollars are in-fact building schools in other communities. The $118 tax on a 100K property does cover operating and furnishing expenses as well as 60% of the construction - the state paying the other 40% with our own already paid tax. The energy use savings thru reduced busing and a more energy-efficient building may allow us to pay off the debt in less than the anticipated time.
    When combining these facts with the level of integrity at the Superintendant level, I must make an exception to my "no new taxes" philosophy in this particular case. Unfortunately, our buildings don't compare with those of Yale, and fortunately, neither does our tuition cost!

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  11. Why is Greenville Schools being penalized at the 40% from the State, when most of the county schools received up to 65% State monies? What does Greenville have to do to get the 65% and make less cost for the taxpayers?

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  12. Yale? What planet do you live on? Geez......
    John...I believe that most of the members of the current school board were not a part of that "deal" a few years back, and I know that Ms. Reigle was not here. So, in my opinion, that could be a moot point. Let's not dwell on past mistakes of school boards and superintendents, and get that new building while we can.

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  13. I would just like to see something on how the town hall meeting went. I cant find any coverage on it, havent seen anything in the papers.

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  14. The most serious opposition to construction of the new school comes from seniors who feel that the small additional tax load would be financially devastating. Most seniors fail to realize that given the serious recessionary economy that could continue for years, they will be forced to sell their most precious asset (their home) into a market that will give them pennies on a dollar. This is almost a certainty if Greenville fails to attract new industries. Most of the wives and families of these executives will not come to a community whose school system appears to be something out of the early or middle twentieth century. The grim view of the physical facilities of our schools is further punctuated by the Greenville stadium that ironically was built by an industrialist in Dayton and is a disgusting relic that at this point in time brings shame on the whole community when it hosts football, track and soccer events. In the past Greenville would have still had an opportunity to attract sweat-shop industries based on lower costs of taxes and labor. Unfortunately all of these jobs have gone to China. We say “unfortunately” in that almost any work is better than none at all - which is the situation we currently find ourselves.

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  15. So if all the jobs went to China...then why raise the taxes on seniors? So they lose their most precious asset sooner? To attract someone that went to China? Your argument has a lot of holes.

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  16. I dont see why they think now is the time.This new school will cost 33 million to build,the state will only pay 8.8 million.That is not evan a third of the cost.So somebody tell me how they can say now is the time?If the state of Ohio is so worried about education why cant they find more money for financing new schools.Where does all the lottery money go?I thought that was for education or at least a percentage.

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  17. It is not only seniors. My husband and I own our home. Our children and grandchildren have moved to other city's because of the job situation in Darke county We are 50 years old and my husband was laid off for a year now he has a job not in Greenville. We do not want to pay more on our property taxes. I have been working in industry for many years plant managers have come and gone they never choose Greenville to live its always Troy, Tipp, or Englewood I don't believe its only because of the school. How are you going to feel when your children our out of school are they going to be able to find jobs and stick around, are you going to want to pay for a new school?

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  18. People are unemployed now not 30 years from now.I know greenville needs a new school but I dont think now is the time.Why dont the school board take a pay cut like every body else has had to do?Oh thats right they work way to hard.(not)I just think they could find a better way than another levy.Didnt they just pass a levy last election?

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  19. It is amazing to me that many people complain about paying an increase in property taxes for a school - an investment that typically increases the worth of property so when they want to sell their home they have more money.

    If the bond doesn't pass and people continue to leave, they will pay more than the school bond amount because with less people, their taxes will increase to cover city services such as trash, water, fire, police etc.

    The tax money you pay is already building schools in OTHER communities, aren't they ready to have their tax dollars work in their community?

    If you are willing to have your home value decline, vote no...and then stop complaining about the lack of jobs and other reasons people select other communities.

    If you want to be part of the solution vote yes.

    No one would want their healthcare delivered in buildings that are the age of South school and the Jr. High yet many seem to be comfortable with our children being educated in those conditions and spending the largest part of their day there. These children will be caring for us in our old age.... perhaps they will think buildings with similar conditions are "good enough", after all- values are instilled and taught..... you teach those who come after you what is important to you. You teach them how to treat you.

    Think before you vote.

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  20. Anonymous 7:49 AM says… “If you are willing to have your home value decline, vote no...and then stop complaining about the lack of jobs and other reasons people select other communities.”

    Wow you are reaching for straws here… voting in a Tax Levy to build a new school is going to fix all of this?

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  21. Greenville needs to do something. Face facts, per the state report card, Greenville is the WORST school district in Darke County. I was shocked at the condition of the junior high the first time I saw it 15 years ago, and that was having gone to an elementary that was 60 years old. If you don't have academics or facilities, what do you have?

    People and businesses will only overlook facilities if academics make up for it, and they certainly don't. Building a new school is going to help improve both. Before being quick to argue, notice I said "help" not "will fix the whole problem". For one, it increases chances of attracting better teachers. There will also be greater resources/technology for educating students on subjects (such as science) that are key indicators on standardized tests. A new building would improve the learning environment - say what you will, but students who are too hot or cold or distracted by clunking radiators aren't concentrating as well as they could. And I can't help but think a nice new building will instill a little more pride in students and staff.

    Safety is another big issue. Our world today is a scary place. New schools are constructed with this in mind. Often doors are kept locked most of the day, and visitors must enter through the school office. There are also safety buttons that allow instant electronic locking of all exterior doors in the event of an emergency.

    Why now?

    Because 8.8 million, 26% of the bill, will be paid by someone else. There is no guarantee there will be any state money available in the future.

    As far as the economy, it is improving ever so slowly. Paying an increase in property taxes might be hard this year, perhaps even next year, but it will get better. Due to economic cycles, there are naturally going to be a few tougher years within a 37 year issue.

    Finally, now is the time to take advantage of the economy. Interest rates are low, and construction and material costs are down.

    A new school won't fix any problem completely, but it will help in numerous areas. I do guarantee one thing, if you do nothing, that's exactly what you'll get, nothing.

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  22. To who wrote this-"The grim view of the physical facilities of our schools is further punctuated by the Greenville stadium that ironically was built by an industrialist in Dayton and is a disgusting relic that at this point in time brings shame on the whole community when it hosts football, track and soccer events."

    Greenville City Schools does not own HARMON FIELD, where most of our PAYING sports teams participate. It is not an embarrasment. The Harmon family donated money all over Ohio, building football stadiums. It is actually a nice stadium. I don't think a football field will be in the budget, as it suits the city just fine. Travel to other schools...their fields do not look as nice and atleast you have nice bleachers to sit on instead of steel and aluminum.

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  23. i think if all the parents should go to the schools to see what they look like. i have live here all my life.and i think greenville is getting worst.so i think a new school is a start.something needs to happen.the city needs to get off their butts to get jobs in greenville.no one wants more taxes but we need to think about the furture of our kids.

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  24. To start, I do not live in the Greenville School District, the argument that new schools will bring new business to Darke County is sort of foolish and the persons stating that are not looking deep enough into the problem, since there are no railroads left that transport goods and most goods are transported by truck, the access to an Interstate is an all important item.
    Most of the areas that are now growing have quick and easy access to an Interstate. So, as I see it, the school levy is a far cry from makeing Darke County a more desirable place to locate a new industry of any size and I don't see the levy makeing any appreciable difference in that aspect.

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  25. Fools for not supporting the new school. You must look past your own nose. You must hope for the future. You must realize that education is what keeps people in an area. You must vote yes.

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  26. I find it ironic that the speakers at the meeting were only government paid… where were the business leaders of Greenville? Were they not invited or did they choose not to promote the building of a new school? They certainly would have an opinion on what draws jobs to the area.

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  27. I don't have to vote yes. Is there any other way other than property tax? I wouldn't feel so bad about a yes vote if Joe Blow renting a house down the street with 4 kids in school has to pay the same as I.

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  28. Try the Arcanum way, they are funded not only by property taxes but also by an income tax on your salary. I guess they feel that will catch everyone. And yes you pay into yhe new school both ways.

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  29. I live in Adams twp and my property taxes went up last year when the nice auditor come knocking on my door. I went from paying 900 dollars a yr to 1300 a year so now thats 400 more dollars we had to come up with. The new tax goes into affect next month so i'm going to be short again in my account....now you people want me to pass this so my taxes will go up again. My husband and I have our jobs but we haven't got raises in 5 years and my husbands ours got cut and we now have a daughter in college. Its not that I don't want to pass it, people I can't afford it. You're taxing the hell out of us home owners. Its come down to if you're thinking of buying a home DON'T you can rent and not get taxed to death. People who rent still have children who go to the school how are they going to contribute to the new school, shouldn't they be paying some kind of taxes. Why always the freakin home owners? Something breaks down just call the landlord, you don't have to sacrifice a paycheck in Feb or June, you don't have any home improvements to pay for, and you won't have to pay for the new school. So my question is why not make this more fair and make everyone who lives in the Greenville school district contribute. Just a thought.

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  30. Renters pay, their rent goes UP......and they pay more, much more, than most house payments.... Do you REALLY think all landlords absorb this expense? You're kidding yourself! Landlords are not in the business of renting to lose money.

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  31. Was anything else discussed at the town hall meeting besides school levy?

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  32. That is a lot of money for grades 5-8. There is no room to build a high school on this property (which was originally planned when the property was purchased). Where will the other grades eventually go?? Our family is voting NO.

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  33. So for those of you that can't afford it now...when will you say yes? In 5 years? 10? Will there ever be a good affordable time? Will there always be something else to pay or buy? Invest in your community. Just do it now.

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  34. Hey anonymous 9:06 don't you dare sit here and tell me a renter has more to pay than a home owner. Are you that freakin stupid?

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  35. School board members receive $125 per regular board meeting plus up to 3 "special" meetings for a total of 15 per year. Some years the board meets 25 times but receives for up to 15 maximum, other years there may be 40-45 meetings with payment for up to 15. The original "plan" showed a total campus for all buildings, including a high school, however all of the land was NOT owned, purchased, or under option to purchase at that time. The purchased land was less than that original plan showed.

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