10.29.06 - Let's Build a New CMS!

I am writing to encourage everyone to vote "yes" for a new Creswell Middle School building (BM 20-118). As a school board member, I had the opportunity to join in the unanimous vote referring this to the ballot. I am convinced beyond all doubt that this is a necessary and fiscally responsible move for our district. The current building is falling apart and would be too costly to repair.

As you drive west down Oregon Avenue, the 1941-built middle school looks architecturally impressive. However, once you take a closer look, you see that the siding and walls are being damaged by standing water and numerous leaks; you see deteriorating modules around back used to house the increasing number of students; you see an inadequate electrical system and cast iron plumbing that is wearing out.

Passing this bond measure would cost about $18.33/month for someone with a house assessed at $150,000 (keep in mind that this is the assessed value and not the purchase price). This amount will only decrease in the future as property values increase and more new homes are built.

I have heard from many property owners, parents, and voters about this ballot measure. The message has been clear: This is money well spent. Let's build a new Creswell Middle School! Return your ballots by November 7th!

10.15.06 - You Get What You Pay For: Underfunding Education

As a society we invest a lot in fixing problems but not enough in preventing them in the first place. Education is not cheap; but when we fail to make an adequate investment, we end up paying for it later at a much higher expense.

We can invest in after-school activities, or we can complain about kids vandalizing golf courses, schools, and libraries. We can invest in individualized learning opportunities, or we can complain about why a student is not being reached. We can invest in equitable compensation for teachers and staff, or we can complain about the quality of those entrusted to teach our students.

And we don’t just see this in education. We see it in law enforcement as well. We complain about how the Sheriff’s Office won’t come to rural homes for a burglary unless the intruder is still there. We complain about the DA’s Office not prosecuting property crimes. We’d rather build new prisons in twenty years than invest in education and crime prevention at a fraction of the cost.

Well, you get what you pay for. As a community we can decide to under fund education and other essential services; we can put off the aftereffects as a burden on our children’s shoulders. Or, we can step up and make the responsible choices today.

It’s far too easy to buy into talk radio’s version of the world and demand that our schools cut out the waste. Well, I’ve looked at our district’s budget and all the fat is trimmed away and a lot of the lean too. Now is the time for personal accountability. It is time for our legislators to be held accountable for their complete failure to adequately fund our schools.

Call or email your state representative and senator today. Demand that they fully fund Oregon’s Quality Education Model.

Your state rep is either Phil Barnhart (Creswell proper) or Bruce Hanna (west and south of town). Your state senator is Bill Morrisette or Floyd Prozanski.

Senator William Morrisette (Democrat-006) 900 Court Street NE Suite S-306 Salem, OR 97301-4071 Phone: (503) 986-1706 Fax: (503) 986-1080 WebSite: http://www.leg.state.or.us/morrisette/ E-Mail : sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us

Representative Phil Barnhart (Democrat-011) 900 Court Street NES uite H-371 Salem, OR 97301-4060 Phone: (503) 986-1411 Fax: (503) 986-1561 WebSite: http://www.leg.state.or.us/barnhart/ E-Mail : rep.philbarnhart@state.or.us

Senator Floyd Prozanski (Democrat-004) 900 Court Street NE Suite S-319 Salem, OR 97301-0001 Phone: (503) 986-1704 Fax: (503) 986-1080 WebSite: http://www.leg.state.or.us/prozanski E-Mail : sen.floydprozanski@state.or.us

Representative Bruce Hanna (Republican-007) 900 Court Street NE Suite H-288 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: (503) 986-1407 Fax: (503) 986-1130 WebSite: http://www.leg.state.or.us/hanna E-Mail : rep.brucehanna@state.or.us