FLOYD COUNTY — Reader suppots Silver Street and Wiseheart

This letter is a reply to Mr. Ernie Travillian who recently wrote a Letter to the Editor.

I read, with interest, your letter about the school board being a dog and pony show. My entire family and I have attended Silver Street School. It is, and has been, one of the finer schools in the city. Some of the finest business men in our city, state and all around the country at one time or another attended Silver Street School. As we know all the schools will eventually get old, and with that, what will our debt situation be?

This school, as we all know, was an exemplary school more than once! I wonder what President Bush would say about closing it since he visited the school a few years ago?

I cannot, for the life of me understand how busing, paying the cost for the buses, drivers salaries, gasoline, repair and maintenance to keep them running, insurance, fringe benefits, etc. could be less expensive than keeping a building open. I would love to have had the opportunity to compare the two given the statistics. This was never brought out at any of the meetings.

I do disagree with Mr. Travillian with his comments in reference to one of the board members running for state senator. Lee Ann Wiseheart is a very capable woman. If he had read The Tribune after the board meeting he would have seen that she voted “no” to the closings. She does have a mind of her own and is not easily persuaded by others. Don’t put all members in a group to be voted out!

Sarcastically speaking, we might think about closing all the schools. Think of all the money they would save. Kind of ridiculous isn’t it given the circumstances. We don’t need a Taj Mahal in which to be educated.

In closing, I am very sad at not being able to keep the exemplary schools open. I know this is a done deal, but I don’t know what they can be thinking.

— Joyce Melhiser (mother and grandmother), New Albany

Reader supports Grooms

There is no doubt that we face financial tough times. Unemployment hovers around historical highs, the economy recently teetered on the brink of disaster and many of us have been forced to make the life-altering decisions to keep our personal budgets and those of our businesses balanced. There are ucommon times, no doubt.

That is why I truly believe as we go to the polls this May and again in November, we need leaders who are willing to make uncommon decisions. We have one such candidate in City Councilman Ron Grooms, candidate for the State Senate District that comprises all of Floyd County, Clarksville and Jeffersonville. Let me tell you why.

Two years ago, as Jeffersonville City Council finance chairman, Mr. Grooms forecasted correctly that state tax revenues from property taxes were lagging. He implored his fellow council members and the Mayor to review the topic. Ultimately, he prevailed in convincing his colleagues that the city needed to tighten its belt. Mr. Grooms, and several other council members, including the Mayor and his staff, embarked on a cost-cutting campaign. The team, which Mr. Grooms led, was successful in reducing their $20 plus million budget by $2 million. The cuts missed the mark by a mere $100,000 when property tax receipts settled — a success by anyone’s measuring stick. Now, the City of Jeffersonville can boast of a $2.5 million rainy day fund and more than $2 million in economic development income tax surpluses.

This fiscal leadership stands in stark contrast to his opponent in this year’s May primary. Leanne Wiseheart, vice president of the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Board, has presided over a budget that now requires the school district to cut $6 million — after the fact. For fear of making the tough political decisions two years ago, Mrs. Wiseheart’s administrative staff has now proposed to eliminate four elementary schools, reduce health benefits for employees, shutter three swimming pools, cut extra-curricular activities for fourth-graders, and move 10 and 11-year-old fifth-graders to the junior high school with much more mature 15-year-olds. One can only guess how much better off New Albany-Floyd County schools might be if they had the fiscal experience of Mr. Grooms to make the smaller-impacting decisions two years ago.

One thing I know for sure — we need to export Mr. Grooms’ experience, knowledge, and leadership to the state level. As our state grapples wtih tough financial decisions, Mr. Grooms is the right man for the job. Please join me in supporting Mr. Grooms in May.

— Ida Callahan, Jeffersonville

Anonymous

How about concentrating on our kids education? Cut out administrative cost. How about a board of principals instead of a superintendent? That will save a bunde on payroll.

Galenaparent wrote:

As to the concerns raised that Lee Ann Wiseheart met with Galena 'parents' the night before the vote and 'promised' them that she would not let Galena close, this is NOT factual at all.

I know FACTUALLY that some of the Galena TEACHERS asked to meet with Mrs. Wiseheart so that they may discuss some of their concerns. I was told this by several teachers. I know FACTUALLY that Mrs. Wiseheart agreed to meet with them because she was interested in hearing concerns/questions and felt like it was her duty as an elected official to meet with any constituent that wished to speak with her. I was told this by Mrs. Wiseheart herself.

I understand that this is a very emotional issue. I am right in the middle of the emotions as well because my child will be loosing the school they love as well. I do not vouch for all board members. Quite frankly there were more than one that did not respond to ANY of my e-mails or addressed my concerns. I cannot say this about Mrs. Wiseheart or Mrs. Gardenour. They both readily answered questions and replied to e-mails.

I would suggest that anyone who has concerns regarding Mrs. Wiseheart's potential motives in dealing with the Budget Reduction as they may pertain to her Senate campaign call or e-mail her directly. Then you can judge for yourself how honest her 'intent' may be.

nccondra wrote:

Fact - Members of thh Rsources for Results Committee can attest that Mrs. wiseheart and Mrs. Gardenour were not in favor of keeping Silver Street Elementary School open. And it is another FACT - not a rumor - that Mrs. Wiseheart met with Galena parents at Hob Knob cafe in the Knobs and promised them she would do everything she could to keep Galena Elementary open. At no time did she ever make that promise to Silver Street parents.

Both Mrs. Wiseheart and Mrs. Gardenour stated they were in favor of keeping schools open, but in their Rsources for Results meetings, they clearly opposed keeping Silver Street open. They knew the rest of the board would vote to close all four schools across the board. By voting against closing schools they were able to say they were not in favor of closing schools, which they can use in upcoming political campaigns. Mrs. Gardenour didn't want to see Childrens Academy close, and Mrs. Wiseheart didn't want Galena to close.

As a footnote - Galena Elementary was on the list of schools to consider closing MORE THAN 3 YEARS AGO when the RFR committee first started. For fear of angering Galena parents, Dr. Brooks ensured the closure criteria took Galena out of the list of schools for possible closure. committee

Asimo wrote:

I am constantly amazed at all the harping against Ms. Wiseheart that goes on and on and on. People keep saying, ad nauseaum, that she voted the way she did because she's running for higher office. Well, I was there at all the meetings. I've been there throughout the whole thing. And, Ms. Wiseheart is the ONE individual who started asking hard questions, the ONE individual who challenged the board to 'own up to' what they were about to do (and had done in the past), and the ONE who tried to get the board to take time to consider Dr. Hibbard's plan.

Even if she was 'all for' closing Silver Street in the past, did it occur to any of you who keep going on and on about this that maybe, just maybe, your hue and cries were actually heard by Ms. Wiseheart and that she then TRIED TO HELP!?!

I don't get this constant criticism of Ms. Wiseheart, nor of Ms. Gardenour, who people say also voted as she did because she's running for higher office. As far as I know, Ms. Gardenour is NOT running for any office.

It would do a great many people in New Albany a lot of good to learn to be supportive of local public servants and to try to be open-minded about just what might be the 'real' reasoning behind things they do. Not every public servant is a political hack!

Melanie Adams wrote:

Some of the letter writers need to remember Pres. Ronald Reagan's '11th Commandment'--'Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican'!

geez wrote:

It's well known that Mrs. Wiseheart was an advocate of closing Silver Street School over the past couple of years. The only school she cared about keeping open was Galena (as it's rumored she promised full throated at a meeting with Galena parents...she didn't meet with any other group to make that promise that I've heard of). Now, when it's politically expedient for her to do so, she votes no so she can say she voted no. Not exactly someone with the courage of their conviction.

Reader supports decision to deal with NA-FC budget cuts

This past Monday several members of One Southern Indiana’s Public Policy Council met with Dr. Bruce Hibbard, NA-FC Schools Superintendent, to discuss the options available to deal with a $6.6 million revenue shortfall. The choices boiled down to:

1. Lay off teachers.

2. Request a tax increase from the citizens.

3. Avoid having to do one of (or both of) the first two choices by instead examining expenses, looking for cost efficiencies and making tough, cost-cutting choices — thereby saving classroom instruction positions and increasing academic achievement.

Dr. Hibbard and his staff have, through their research and analysis, stepped up, made some tough choices, and have presented plan No. 3. As a result of the current economic downturn, most of our member businesses have already gone through these same kinds of tough organizational decisions, and though painful, they too have made budget-cutting steps necessary for the health and sustainability of their enterprises. We believe the same holds true for our public schools. Thus, I am writing to express One Southern Indiana’s support for Dr. Hibbard’s proposal, and ask that the NA-FC School Board implement its Superintendent’s recommendations.

While none of us want to face budget cuts, the recession has made that a moot point — we have to face the facts. The economy has contracted, businesses have had to adjust, and, correspondingly, tax receipts have decreased. That being the situation, no one wants to decrease the quality of education for our youth. Dr. Hibbard’s passion is academics, and it’s clearly his goal to raise the academic achievement of NA-FC schools and children. Accordingly, his budget-cutting plan seeks to maintain instructional assets by cutting back primarily on non-instructional support and increasing efficiencies. As taxpayers, we commend his effort to squeeze the most bang out of each buck.

What Dr. Hibbard has proposed took courage. He fully knows the school closures he’s proposing will touch an emotional nerve in the surrounding neighborhoods. However, each piece of his proposal is supported by the facts and the numbers. (In fact, similar cuts were previously proposed by a previous task force study.) Moreover, his proposal actually increases instructional time and student learning opportunities. Cost-cutting is difficult, but these measures will ensure taxpayer dollars are focused on supporting the classroom instructors and students.

For these reasons, we support Dr. Hibbard’s proposal, ask that it be given the fullest consideration, and respectfully request it be implemented.

Sincerely,
Michael Dalby, President

Wow - you forgot to mention that our three minutes of input was allowed only after our first exposure to 'the plan' giving us zero time for research and educated input. However, we did have many great minds who were able to bring some important data and considerations to the board.

We, the whole community, were not included in the process whatsoever. The committee of "7" was appointed by Hibbard, two of which we learned were married, and diversity was not included - not only ethnic, but most likely socio-economic, as well. That's quite an insult to the whole community, considering his choice of committee members weren't representative of the whole of Floyd County. It was a further kick in the shins to imply none of the rest of us could possibly understand or offer intelligent input.

A further insult comes from a Tribune article reporting Dr. Hibbard's hiring seven months ago, which stated he was familiar with closing schools elsewhere and included the community in the process. Through research, it appears that process took 17 months and indeed, did include that community. We weren't asking for 17 months - just questioning why we weren't included from the start and requesting another week or so.

Hibbard craftily organized this whole show, presenting his plan only after ballots were set, and requesting the board's vote three days before the General Assembly was to vote on several educational issues, two of which I know were to provide optional funding (one of which passed, I'm still researching the other).

Three options were provided. That doesn't mean there were only three options. That means the committee stopped at three. Many voices and great thinkers of our community offered data and ideas - none of which was considered before the vote.

Those who 'trust' that there were only three possible options are not only short-sighted, but the same sheeple who buy into the propaganda of the Goebbels of the world.

Mr. Dalby, I wonder if you will be singing such praises when you see the after-effects of this plan: school budgets reduced because of reduced head-count, loss of teachers in the next year or two creating larger class sizes, not to mention reduction of programs. People will move out of Floyd County in search of better schools, and small businesses will lose customers and be forced to close. Once gentrifying neighborhoods will decline. Oh, what is your house worth? I hope you have at least 25% equity so you don't end up with an upside down mortgage.

This isn't about touching an 'emotional (I believe you really mean sentimental) nerve,' Mr. Dalby, it's about considering ALL SIDES of the sphere, inside and out, not just the one point in which Hibbard had you focused. This decision has far-reaching ripple effects outside the educational hemisphere and of all the people it should concern to have pause, you should be first.

One Southern Indiana advocates fiercely to protect accumulated wealth from being taxed to support essential services. They lobbied for the tax cuts that resulted in draconian cuts in education funding, bringing us to the disastrous closing of 4 community schools, increased costs, lower performance, and reduced property values.

I suppose Mr. Dalby's Texas roots have something to do with his and his organization's endorsement of Dr. Hibbard's recommendation.

1SI isn't just praising this result. They helped cause it. Thanks, 1SI and all those businesses and organizations (Develop New Albany, et al). Mission Accomplished. We couldn't be more grateful for all you do for the people of Floyd County.

Former FCHS principal says Hibbard’s plan is focused on right priorities

NEW ALBANY — Schools all across Indiana are now struggling with dismal school cuts brought upon them by a failing economy and a new state funding process as a result of property tax reform. It will not be easy for any school corporation (or local governmental agency) in the months and immediate years ahead. Until the economy recovers, there are only poor choices.

New Albany-Floyd County Schools must solve a $6 million deficit and that is no small task. No one wants to close schools, eliminate jobs or end programs if not necessary. Given a laundry list of poor choices, the Superintendent and School Board must ultimately decide what are the most important goals for our schools. I believe that three essential elements of a school program should be protected above others. The first is a quality teacher in the classroom. The next is a chance to succeed — a manageable class size. The last is a rich enough K-12 curriculum to engage students in their own learning process and to prepare them for the future they face.

While some may choose to object in part to Dr. Hibbard’s proposals, I believe his plan has focused on the right priorities. His proposals also follow the recommendations of the Governor’s Office and those coming from the Indiana Department of Education.

It is unfortunate that he came to Floyd County at a time when our own economic perfect storm has hit us. It is also regrettable that he had to confront and make the hard choices that some of his predecessors were unwilling or unable to make.

There may well be more difficult choices in the months and years ahead without a more secure funding process or a growing economy. We can better weather the storm if we keep to the basics — and Dr. Hibbard’s proposals do just that even if we are not happy with some of the results.

LETTER: Floyds Knobs resident displeased with school board’s decision-making

Nearly five years ago, I moved my family from a wonderful neighborhood in Louisville to our present home in Floyds Knobs. We’ve never regretted the decision, as we’ve come to enjoy living in Southern Indiana, just as much as we enjoyed our years in Louisville.

As young professionals with a growing family, we were drawn to Floyd County for a number of reasons — the most important of which was the quality of the Floyd County schools. In Louisville, we agonized over the decision where to send our children for their primary school education and were never comfortable with the decisions which followed. However, after hearing so many wonderful things about the Floyd County schools (and life in Floyd County) we investigated further and were truly amazed at what we found.

The final decision to move here was an easy one, and we’ve been ecstatic with the education our children have received ever since. I have two daughters presently in elementary school here, along with a son who will be starting next year as well.

I am disappointed beyond words — as many parents are — regarding the school board’s seemingly hasty decision-making. I understand that in these difficult economic times, there are many hard decisions to be made. My father served on the school board in my hometown many years ago, and I know it’s often a difficult job. However, my disappointment over the decision-making was compounded by the statement by Dr. Hibbard that he declined to consider a request to increase taxes to pay for the financial shortcomings.

I do not know of any Floyd County parent — past, present or future — who would object to what amounts to a relatively small increase to continue one of our counties’ greatest assets — its school system. As the price of a quality private school education in Louisville easily exceeds $10,000 or more — raising property taxes an additional few hundred dollars per year is an incredibly small burden to ask in order to protect our children’s future — and certainly among the least painful options to consider when looking at the turmoil caused by the new plans.

I urge and plead with Dr. Hibbard, the school board and our elected officials to consider this opinion and to keep the New Albany Floyd County School System among the most desirable in the state.

Lets talk about education

Whats best for kids?

Thats the first and most important question we should be asking as we debate education issues. Some, however, want to start with whats best for adults, trying to convince us that benefits for children will follow.

Of all the weighty issues before the Indiana General Assembly, education should be the furthest removed from politics. Instead, its among the most political.

Thats certainly the case with House Bill 1367, which passed the House of Representatives last week along party lines. HB 1367 is a political bill, introduced outside the usual process and rammed through before a key deadline.

The Senate is likely to rewrite HB 1367. But since it passed the House, its now a bargaining chip. According to House rules, regardless of what happens to it in the Senate, the bills original language or any part of it can be inserted into another bill later in the process.

As we debated HB 1367, the hall outside the chamber was filled with union members, who clapped and shouted their support for the bill.

The teachers union goes by several names. The New Albany-Floyd County Education Association is part of the Indiana State Teachers Association, which in turn is part of the National Education Association. They have different names, but a common agenda.

Retiring NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin summed up that agenda last year in a speech to the unions national assembly:

And that brings me to my final and most important point, which is why, at least in my opinion, NEA and its affiliates are such effective advocates. Despite what some among us would like to believe, it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children. And it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child.

NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power, and we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them the unions that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees.

This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, improving teacher quality and the like are unimportant or inappropriate. To the contrary, these are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining. That simply is too high a price to pay.

When all is said and done, NEA and its affiliates must never lose sight of the fact that they are unions, and what unions do first and foremost is represent their members. If we do that and if we do it well, the rest will fall into place. NEA and its affiliates will remain powerful, and that power will in turn enable us to achieve our vision of a great public school for every child.

Chanins speech is available on YouTube.

After the vote on HB 1367, I went across the street to an ISTA luncheon, where I encountered union representatives from Floyd and other Southern Indiana counties. Talking points in hand, their first question was, Did you vote for 1367? When I said no, they immediately labeled me as anti-teacher.

After cutting everything else first, Gov. Mitch Daniels recently announced reductions to K-12 education. I support a plan that would restore funding. But the union opposes that plan, and it wasnt given a chance in the House.

How does the unions influence play out in Indiana?

In the 2008 election cycle, the union contributed more than $1 million to Democrats running for the Indiana House. During the same period, the union contributed $48,300 to Republicans. These figures are based on the secretary of states campaign finance database, which is available online.

Two sentences from the Jan. 13, 2009, minutes of the New Albany-Floyd County Education Association speak volumes about the cynical, polarizing way in which the union approaches the political process:

If you are of the same political affiliation as Ed Clere, we NEED you! Many of the representatives will CHECK to see if a person is registered as their party before they will seriously listen to the person.

I dont check. Never have. Never will. I represent Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and people of other political affiliations or no political affiliation.

I was elected in November 2008. At the time of the union meeting, I had been in office only two months and had just completed the first week of my first legislative session. I hadnt voted on anything.

Before the session is out while legislation is still under consideration I want to talk directly with teachers and other educators.

I will be at Destinations Booksellers from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and the same time the following Saturday, Feb. 20. I want to talk directly with teachers, administrators, other school employees and anyone else in our community who is concerned about education. Destinations is at 604 E. Spring St. in New Albany. The bookstores caf sells breakfast.

I wont have any talking points. Ill be there to listen and learn. Thats what Ive always done when teachers are in the room.

Ed Clere, State Representative

It is well known that in times of famine the last thing you want to do is "eat your seed corn." Indiana, because of decreasing revenues, is facing a kind of economic famine, and Gov. Mitch Daniels' mandated cuts in school funding is indeed like "eating our seed corn."

To remain competitive economically, we must have an educated citizenry one that can do more than simply pass standardized tests. A successful curriculum is one that promotes and encourages creativity, develops skills for advancing innovation in the workplace and ensures a diverse worker pool that can adapt quickly to changing economic conditions. Once cuts in education are made, it is not easy to recover, especially in the short term.

Equally short-sighted is the idea that "special programs" such as library, art, music, physical education and so on can be cut without seriously affecting the overall educational output. This simply is not true. Such programs are the lifeblood for insuring the kinds of skills mentioned above.

Schools are making sincere and mostly successful efforts to improve what they do, but serious budget reductions will weaken any gains made. State Superintendent Tony Bennett is proposing an A to F grading scale for the schools, but in effect is saying, "We want you to be better, but with fewer tools available."

Please write your legislators, state superintendent and governor to express your concern. Together we can make our voices heard.

Mark Kessans, President, New Albany-Floyd County Education Association, New Albany