The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 41, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 5 March 1992 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - MARCH 5, 1992

EDITORIALS

SCHOOL BOARD MOVES ON Tuesday night the John Glenn School Board took another step along the way on their proposed plan for a new middle school for the corporation. A hearing was held on the proposed lease to be entered into between the John Glenn Middle School Building Corporation as lessor, and the John Glenn School Corporation as lessee. The lease provides for a maximum annual rental of $1,450,000 for 22 years to be paid by the corporation. The new middle school, as planned at this time, would be at 315 John Glenn Drive, east of the high school. The Board voted 6-1 with Dan Patrick opposing, to continue forward by accepting this proposal. A crowd of well over 200 attended the hearing as this issue has become a hot topic in this school district. The opposition to the plans, while opposing the new middle school as planned, had their opportunity to be heard and several persons did express their views. Generally it is accepted that something needs to be done, but the opposition is to the plan accepted out of several plans that could have been chosen. The new school building as proposed was considerably the most expensive way to go and in this time of economic recession, it has become a major issue with many taxpayers. There now will be a 30 day remonstrance period and in all probability, there will be action taken. It was mentioned at the hearing that it the Board proceeded with this plan, there would be a petition available to be signed in the very near future. Meanwhile, the Board will continue to move forward as the law allows, with a further hearing down the road with the State Board of Tax Commissioners. While plans continue as allowable by law, no drastic move will be made until the remonstrance period is over and also the outcome of the upcoming school board election on May 5 must enter into the minds of those involved. Whatever lies ahead down the road, this issue remains a controversial one at this time. And the timing with the election of four board members coming up in two months, to take seats on the Board as of July 1 for four years, it is still going to be an interesting situation to follow. This is a case where the opposing sides of this matter realize a need for something. The battle continues to be, as it always has, is just which is the best road to follow for the children, the school corporation and certainly for the taxpayers, the ones who foot the bill for the operation of the schools. It may be some tine yet before a clear and acceptable path is followed in this situation.

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“Concerned Candidate” I am currently seeking a position on the School Board of the John Glenn School Corporation. I feel that given the opportunity, I can fairly represent all parents and taxpayers in our jurisdiction. I did not become a candidate simply because 1 am against a new school, but rather because there are many concerns which trouble me. I am against the current building proposal as presented. The 6-7-8 grade concept is just that, a concept. By committing to this approach, we are subjecting our children to a radically different environment. There is no concrete proof that this grade alignment is the best thing for our children. I feel very uncomfortable with our current board’s philosophy for approval of this controversary; this concerns me. Since 1982, when North Liberty joined this corporation, our operating budget has grown from 2.4 million to 6.5 million, while student population has declined from 1,646 to 1,504; this concerns me. During the same time period, licensed and non-licensed personnel have grown from 142 to 176; this concerns me. Finally, our tax rate has grown from 4.6887 in 1982 (84 rate 3.7756) to 6.5997 in 1991; this concerns me. I have been a member of this community since birth. I worked my way through college and have over 20 years of business experience. I have been involved in local projects, the latest being the Walkerton Streetscape endeavor. lam a homeowner and taxpayer of this community. But. most of all, lam a parent and concerned about where we presently stand.

I hope the majority of voters agree with all my concerns and don’t pereceive me as a “one issue person’’. I ask for your support on May Sth. Thank you. John McGee “Embarrassed” I attended the School Board meeting on Tuesday, 2-25-92. One item on the agenda was the request by two gentlemen to be added to the Holding Corp., which was established to handle the funds for the proposed new middle school. A motion was immediately made and seconded to table this item until a later meeting. When asked if there were any question, Dan Patrick asked “why,” one word. Before he barely finished the word, another board member immediately, and extremely sarcastic, informed Mr. Patrick they did not have to give a reason and there would be no discussion. They immediately voted 5-1 to table this matter. What was the Board afraid to discuss? I was left with the very distinct impression by the position of the Board and by their actions, that five members of this Board had discussed this prior to this meeting. This is against the regulations. Since when does the Board not have to give a reason for their actions? They are accountable to the public as it is the public who elected them to do a proper and fair job. And since when is one board member singled out when he asks a question and told he doesn’t need to be given an answer? 1 was embarrassed by the actions of this board members’ handling of a very simple question, "why”, and for the other four board members who evidentally condone this type of action against another board member. This action was handled very unpro-

fessionally, and was absolutely uncalled for and certainly in very poor taste. To all the residents of the John Glenn School Corporation, please try to attend these school board meetings. It is very important that you know what this school board is doing and what they are planning for the future. Shirley Anderson “Rebuttal To Response” “You're not the Lone Ranger" Mr. Hostetler, your badge is somewhat tarnished. Our School Corporation is probably the envy of area schools, but you didn’t do it alone. The second highest tax rate in our area had a lot to do with our success. Many people can claim "no respect” after serving on various boards and committees. If you create confusion and questions, you should only expect controversy and frustration. It’s anyone’s right to "question” something that has never been fully explained or understood. You should have said a meeting was recently held in which part of the questions were vaguely addressed by sticking the new superintendent with the project. No one ever asked any school board member to ever break the law. Utilizing current building/additions . . . maybe. I certainly wouldn’t take one person’s word that you can’t do anything like that. Thanks though for trying to stir up the old North Liberty/Walkerton issues (“viva Kickbush”), and controversy. Dave, you need to beat your own drum, but let’s make sure it doesn’t belong to someone else. "Guess Who” “Thank Yoe” The Greene Township Lions Gub, along with all other Lions Gubs in this area and throughout the country, would like to thank all those persons who have been placing glasses in collection boxes placed for this purpose. These glasses are placed on a tensometer, cataloged and placed in storage for the next use. On a recent trip to Guatemala thousands of glasses were taken along, many given out during this time and the balance left for fitting by local eye doctors. Lions International is undertaking a new program “Sight First” with Gubs throughout the world participating in programs to help in the problems of sight. California and Indiana are collection states for all glasses that are collected to be processed, sorted and stored awaiting the call for their use in any part of the world. This is an exciting new program and we are thrilled to be a part of it and know that you will enjoy participating by your donation of old glasses in these collection boxes. If there isn’t a box in a place of business and you would like one, call a local Lion. Ron Whitesei, President Greene Twp. Lions Gub “To Starke County Residents” For more than a year the Starke County Development Foundation has been in operation. Their members have been studying, planning and working to improve the county’s educational, economical and social environment. Our meetings have been publicized in the Starke county newspaper, "The Leader,” but many citizens of our county don’t subscribe to the county weekly paper so perhaps they are not aware that there is a group that is working to make a better place to live out of our county. We have some very intelligent, civic-minded people in the Foundation. Over the last year we have seen our Starke Memorial Hospital enlarging their facilities and a beautiful new county library has been built. New industry and new stores are moving into our county. However, we need more people, people who care enough to come to our meetings, become informed

about our plans and add their input. We would like very much to have more residents of Koontz Lake in this movement. With this purpose in mind, our next meeting will be at Al's Diner at Koontz Lake on March 11th. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and we hope to see some new faces there. You pay taxes to Starke County, your children or perhaps your grandchildren may be attending a Starke County school. We need your interest, your ideas and your help in this project. If you would like to be part of our efforts to improve the quality of life in your county, we’ll be very happy to see you there! Nadine Keiper “Choice*« What’s Important” The patrons of John Glenn School Corporation are being asked to support the education of our children in whatever way and at whatever cost is deemed necessary by our school board. This support may take several forms and choices must be made. My concern is that the patrons don’t know what the choices are and what effects these individual choices have in the big picture. Being a candidate for School Board was a tough decision for me personally. I have a young family which commands much of my attention, an ag-related business that is struggling in unison with the struggling farm community, and a devotion to the 4-H program. We have hosted 4-H foreign exchange students several time and are currently hosting an exchange student attending John Glenn High School. I am satisfied that our children have worked at receiving their education through cooperation between the teaching staff andd parental support. Some students can learn in spite of support from either end. Other students can’t or won’t learn because of lack of support from one source or the other. My point is education required mutual cooperation between parents or guardians and well informed, motivated teachers. One of the choices we must make now is, do we build a new school and hope that more space motivates our already active staff to perform at even higher levels? Proponents of the new building argue that more space and more technology will automatically give our children a better education, and that unless the current proposal passes our children’s education will suffer. Opponents of the project have preached taxes and that teacher and parental cooperation, not bigger buildings, make an education. The opposing side has not stated total opposition to any and all solutions to the current perceived problems. Gioices is the name of the game. A choice to build this project does several things. 1. It takes 24+ million dollars out of these communities over the next 20 years. 2. Will cause the capital projects fund to be raised to the maximum levy to pay for items not included in the project budget. 3. Will cause the general fund tax rate to be raised to the maximum levy allowed by law to pay for items not currently in the project. 4. Would most assuredly make any increases in any other budget item to be questionable at best. Thus the arguement that your taxes won't increase due to this project simply is not true. I support investing tax dollars directly into our communities in the form of improved programs and continuing education for our staff. It is my opinion that good dedicated staff will do an excellent job educating our students as long as they are provided adequate facilities, continuing education opportunities, a good dicipline policy and fair contractual agreements. Considering the increased debt and budgetary problems this corporate is asking us to accept to build a new school, choices will

have to be made. I cannot in good faith make the choice of the current building proposal at the expense of other direct educational benefits. I have been accused of being a single issue candidate. 1 have also been told that my first goal would be to reduce staff in our schools. Let me address both issues. First, I am opposed to the current proposed building for many reasons, including but not limited to need, cost and ability to pay for it. I have attended the majority (at least 80%) of all public board meetings over the past 24 months. I have been involved in three budget hearings under three superintendents. I have followed this board's fumbling through important issues with a lack of leadership and/or direction on many issues. This Board has no published current long range plan, and cannot offer direction on even the simplest of questions asked. We as the public have even been told that we have no right to question the actions of the Board. On the issue of staff reductions, I feel that several areas of instruction need to be reviewed for either expansion or deletion based on educational value in today's world. I do not advocate reductions in staff based solely on financial data. Our basic education in this corporation is second to none and I am proud to have my children attending this system. However, should economic conditions dictate reduction in force I feel programs, not individual staff should be the main consideration. Our children's education and personal welfare are of utmost importance to me. Communication and cooperation between school and home generally will do more to improve overall education than new bricks and mortar. I am not afraid to discuss the issues. During this campaign you will know where my basic position is. You won’t have to guess which side of certain issues I will take up front, which is more than I can say for most of the other candidates running for the Board. I will make every effort to attend and participate in any forum to which I am invited to let the voting patrons of this corporation get to know me better. More important however, it is your privelege and right to get involved andd vote that will ultimately determine the direction this corporatin will take in the future. Get registered to vote if you aren’t already. You do not have to declare your party affiliation to vote for school board. If you don’t exercise your rights, you should not expect that you have the privilege to complain if you aren’t satisfied with the outcome. Thomas Bradford BMV EXPANDS HOURS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CDL TESTING Beginning March 4, selected BMV license branches will extend operating hours for commercial drivers license testing. These branches will be open during hours when the branch would normally be closed to the public. The Mishawaka license branch, located at 2206 N. Main St., in Mishawaka, will reopen Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. The test will start promptly at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Applicants arriving late will not be permitted to take the test. "CDL applicants will have an opportunity to take the CDL exam and obtain a CDL license in a conducive testing environment,” said BMV Commissioner Gilbert L. Holmes. For more information concerning CDL, contact BMV at (317) 2327295 or 1-800-562-4591. A homing pigeon can fly at a speed of up to 60 miles an hour over a distance of 75 miles.