Today a Pop Quiz for you.
How many of these 7 names do you recognize?
Michael Crouch, Art Gutierrez, Susan Brinkman, Melissa Ogleby, Grant Riles, Doug Epp, and Mallory Koci.
They are the members of the USD 253’s Board of Education. They are also collectively a wonderful representation of our community with their varied backgrounds.
With our school district soon sending out a ballot asking Emporia voters to approve a bond issue raising $78 million – I am happy that I know and most importantly trust the judgment of these folks along with the professional staff they have at USD 253.
The bond issue originated only after more than a year of study and discussions using qualified help to determine the best way to make USD 253 facilities more efficient and safer. No frills included as far as I can see.
Registered voters will be receiving mail ballots in mid-August with voter registration open until August 15.
Most important is that each of us makes a conscious effort to become informed and vote.
To that end, the district has already held three public meetings on this topic and one more will be held on July 31 at six o’clock in the library at Emporia High School.
Also, next Wednesday on the Chat here on KVOE at 10:06, Kevin Case, USD 253’s Superintendent of Schools will be our guest and take any and all questions.
As for me, I start by trusting the school board members. There is no more thankless job yet these folks agree to serve. To suggest – as some have – that these folks haven’t done a good job or more importantly that they may be trying to deceive the voters is shameful.
As an example, opponents have suggested the district isn’t being honest when saying this is a $78 million bond issue because it will cost taxpayers a larger amount.
Their calculations add up only if you do fuzzy math that is not only misleading but a prime example of being “penny wise and pound foolish” with foolish showing up in bold print!
Yes, you can save money by not trading in your old car, but after a while, you end up driving a junker. I hope no one wants that for our kids!
Our elected school board members have studied the situation, considered many options, been truthful without a doubt and finally adopted a plan that deserves our support.
There’s Something to Think About and I’m Steve Sauder.
