Lets see…. You vote at schools, while all the little kids are running around because of a “scheduled” after school program. The school district sends out mailings with the kids,and in the mail…. and then the school district counts the votes. The only thing missing at the school I voted at was Girl Scouts selling cookies. How could they lose?

Maybe next time hold the vote during the Nov. election, while the kids aren’t running around while you are voting, and someone else counts the votes! Just a thought.

Right on, Guardian.

It’s very difficult to counter the “Do it for the children!” argument. (If only that same argument could have a positive impact on [federal] deficit spending, urban sprawl, resource consumption, etc.)

Like you, I was baffled at the School District no-show at numerous public forums where the bond was set for discussion. (What does Dan Hollar do, to earn that $94,000 salary? And where were the faster-on-their-feet spokesmen, like Rory Jones?) It was as though their entire message was “Trust us, and don’t listen to those other guys.” And 70% of the voters bought in.

All of us – even the miserly Beck and Auld – agree that some schools have physical needs. But when I think of replacing a rock-solid, functional building (South) with an $18 million plasterboard cookie-cutter school, it makes my head hurt. (I say if they spent 1/3 that much on a classroom/gym annex, and an extreme makeover, South could be the nicest school in town. Exhibit A – Boise High School.)

The “Ada County Taxpayers” were lambasted in the media, letters to the editor, etc. They weren’t willing to “Do it for the children!” without asking a few questions. I, for one, would like to sincerely thank Mr. Beck and Mr. Auld for their involvement, and for making a few of us look at both sides of the issue.

Heh.

I am not really inclined to believe the stated intentions of a group of people who claim to be concerned about fiscal responsibility at the school district level but not the national. Now, I don’t claim to know who Auld and Beck voted for in the last Presidential election, but given their history I’d be willing to make a Jackpot NV bet they’re Republican all the way.

How these people can claim to worry about paying this off over the course of 30 years but support a Republican President and Republican Congress who are amassing bills that won’t be paid off for hundreds of years is beyond me.

Honestly, their concern falls on deaf years, you can only talk out of both sides of your mouth for so long until people stop listening.

I’ve got to say, I agree with Dr. Blue up there who eloquently points out the most likely reason people voted yes.

For me, I think it was something that was needed, and fortunately, 70% of Boise’s residents felt the same way.

Thanks as always though Guardian, it is always enjoyable to read your analysis of all things Boise, we may not agree on everything, but I for one, am glad you’re on the job.

ED NOTE–Thanks Chris for your kind words. As for Auld and Beck I think you will find they probably view G-Dubya as a tax and spend liberal!

There is no question the School District played musical classrooms to show the quantifiable need for more space, especially when they just finished a whole media blitz on declining numbers of students. There is also no question that both Beck and Auld are notorious for getting wires crossed when trying to make their point.

The only thing that REALLY bothered me because it went directly to the credibility of the District, was their claim that all the social extravaganzas HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTION. Face it folks, we live in a climate where there is No room for apathy. If you want it, you better get out and vote for it. If you don’t want it, you better get out and vote no. The old days of leaving it to those with more time, are over. The District figured that out and loaded up the schools with patrons who were a ready and willing constituency. I doubt they realize the accountabiliy that will come with this bond. It may have been lacking with past bond measures.

At the risk of digressing a bit from the topic… I don’t know about Auld and Beck, but I DEFINITELY think of Dubya as very UNconservative, when it comes to fiscal matters. The current body of “elected public servants” in DC are spending like there’s no tomorrow! He may not be a “tax liberal,” but he’s got the “spend liberal” covered! (Teenager with his first credit card, indeed!)

“My money! my money! my money!”

I’ve got a five year-old attending whitney elementary whose teacher is wonderful but whose facility is a disgrace. Our children deserve better. It’s refreshing to see Boiseans voting for community rather than: “my money! my money! my money!”

I know the bond passed and it is a done deal, but take a look at what some innovative school districts are doing. I just want to share some highlights I ran across AFTER the election:

Many districts desperately need funds to rehab old schools or build anew and can’t or don’t want to hit up local property taxpayers for more $$.

–Installment financing. Greenville, S.C., created a nonprofit
that sells its own tax-exempt bonds, which are backed by insurance and the buildings themselves. Equity builds up as bonds are paid off. The plan let Greenville renovate 70 dilapidated schools in five years.
–Renting space to YMCAs and others during nonschool hours.
–Selling ads. A Washington school district sold naming rights
for a performing arts center to Ikea for $500,000. An insurance firm in Wis. got its name on two high school field houses for $650,000.
–Ad space on school buses and a middle school roof are for sale in one Texas school district. (Bake sales are just SO last century!)

Shades of GW Bush and Katherine Harris!! I have never dealt with so much dishonesty in any local political campaign in the USA as the one run by the boise school district on this bond issue. Libel,slander,disinformation, collusion of many city officials in what was really another developer’s dream plan to use the ” feel good” issue of schools to enrich themselves at Homeowner’s property -tax expense.

The dishonesty in holding bond friendly events in every polling place during voting and handing out pro- bond literture at the same time is an insult to voters. I asked both the city attorney and State A. G’s office to look into this illegal electioneering practice with no response.