Should we spend money on a study?

At Monday night's school board meeting it was brought to my attention that the Superintendent is going to be entering into a contract to spend money on a "strategic plan" AKA a study. I have objections to this due to the fact that it will handcuff us to a contract that could cost the district $3,500 if we do not go with their recommendation.

The argument was made at the meeting that the board voted to pay for this strategic plan, which is not true. See our meeting minutes below for yourself:

As you can see it directed the Superintendent to come up with a plan. I do not see anywhere in the original motion where it authorizes to spend $3,500 on a study.

I am not one to micro-manage, but when we are financially in dire situation, we need to be extra mindful of every dime we spend. My question is what part of the budget with this $3,500 come from? Will this add to our yearly budget deficit? And lastly, why and specifically why is the board not enforcing the original motion that was made?

I have a lot of assumptions and since the Superintendent has decided to dodge questions and take a condescending tone I'll take my questions and views to you, the people.

I believe from what I've seen and read this "study" is nothing but a mere plot to consolidate the high schools. If you're going to do that or are gunning for it then why not come right out and say it?

Let's get this overview in perspective:

February 23rd: First and foremost the board passed a motion to direct the Superintendent to develop a strategic plan... As you can see in the above motion.

In mid March I heard chatter that the Superintendent was re-considering (or at least seemed to) reconsider the idea of consolidating the high schools as they were previously dropped.

At Monday March 23rd's school board meeting the Superintendent informed the board that he will be pursuing an agreement with Barton-Malow for the "Strategic Plan Study."

From how I understood his presentation we will enter into a contract with Barton Malow to go through our facilities and assess everything, essentially fulfilling what the board asked the Superintendent to do. I do not expect that a Superintendent to be an expert on building issues, but I'd expect that our Operations Director would have some knowledge to that effect.

If we do not know how much it would cost for building a new wing at Gearing or even if their plan is to build a super high school, then wouldn't you get a quote for that? And aren't those free?

In these times of financial uncertainty we need to be mindful of every penny we spend.

The deal is we let Barton Malow to this study/evaluation... They will come to the board with their findings and if we buy into it and put a bond (AKA increase your taxes) then we'll be off the hook. If not, if we don't buy into what they are selling us then it will cost the district $3,500.

My issue is this... The former operations director is now the person leading this Barton Malow "project." Am I the only one who thinks this is strange? Or at the very least a little suspicious... I had former administrators tell me to watch out because back-room deals took place and to watch my back, especially if you take a stand against one of their contracts.

With all of that aside, I layout exactly what I'm thinking. Our Superintendent knows that there is NO WAY the community or the school board will go for/support a super high school. So the only way to do so is to get the board to vote to put a bond on the ballot.

So then you ask how would this convince the board/community to support this measure? Well it's simple, this company will come back and say that we need to build a super high school. They'll give us all of the data and numbers supporting that argument.

You'll hear the Superintendent say "well it won't hurt to put it on the ballot for voters to choose." It seems to me that's what politicians these days do when faced with a tough financial challenge. When they can't figure it out they punt to voters and then put the blame on them. That is a smart thing to do politically, but really? Man up and have the courage to make a decision.

So what is Barton Malow's motivation? Obviously to make money, as it should be. So they are going to give us the data to support a "nice expensive bond" that is "great for the kids." But the real motivation? I think we are smarter than that.

We've had a budget problem since well before I've been on the board and it's not going away anytime soon. That;s the new reality with most districts around the state. The difference is we do not have much more fund balance to play with. We need leadership and direction from the board and Superintendent. I'm only one voice, one vote; where's the others?


Those are my views and I'd love to hear yours! Fire away!