The Strib recently ran both a "news" article and an op ed on the changes at Eden Prairie schools and the announced departure of our superintendent. I found a few "facts" interesting.
The Stib continues to characterize those who opposed the re-districting as parents who wanted to avoid integrated schools. They never reported the fact that each of Eden Prairie's previously four elementary schools had non-white populations in excess of 25%. In other words--they were integrated. Two of my sons have moved from Cedar Ridge to the new Oak Point elementary and other than a very poor running bus system (the ride home from school now lasts almost 40 minutes) I discern no difference in the classes, at least as far as racial balance is concerned. My boys enjoyed their classmates before and they enjoy them now.
The Strib also reported that the "achievement gap" had fallen by almost 50% over the last two years. The reporting of this fact missed the obvious conclusion---that the gap had been significantly reduced BEFORE the drastic redistricting had happened. This begs the question, the answer to which we'll never know--how much further could the gap have been reduced without causing huge disruption in the elementary schools?
Most parents have tired of this issue. I know that I have. But, I remain convinced that the self-inflicted redistricting pain could have been avoided.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
What will they do if elected?
The Eden Prairie school boundary change controversy has been in the newspaper for over a year now. I've been following it with mild interest. Sure, my kids were effected in that they had to change schools to the "new" elementary school in town; but, I didn't lose any sleep over that. Kids are resilient and making new friends is part of life for them.
That said, I do believe that the boundary change was a bad idea; and the the school board failed the residents of Eden Prairie not only in making the change but in how they dealt with the public about the change. This was the classic solution in search of a problem--bussing kids all over town won't help close an achievement gap.
Some residents have vocally opposed the failed leadership of the school board. And, a few of these voices are now running for school board. But, the question remains---what will they do if they win? Will they attempt to reverse the boundary changes? I'm not sure that bell can be un-rung.
If they can't do that, I at least hope that the new faces on the school board bring some leadership with them. The school board, even those who opposed the boundary changes, simply are not strong leaders. They seem directionless and unable to oppose staff-driven suggestions.
I really hope that changes.
That said, I do believe that the boundary change was a bad idea; and the the school board failed the residents of Eden Prairie not only in making the change but in how they dealt with the public about the change. This was the classic solution in search of a problem--bussing kids all over town won't help close an achievement gap.
Some residents have vocally opposed the failed leadership of the school board. And, a few of these voices are now running for school board. But, the question remains---what will they do if they win? Will they attempt to reverse the boundary changes? I'm not sure that bell can be un-rung.
If they can't do that, I at least hope that the new faces on the school board bring some leadership with them. The school board, even those who opposed the boundary changes, simply are not strong leaders. They seem directionless and unable to oppose staff-driven suggestions.
I really hope that changes.
Modern medicine
My second son recently had his appendix removed. This left me with a few thoughts about our health care system.
My wife initially took him to a hospital in Edina. They saw our son in the ER pretty quickly and, after some CAT scans confirmed that he needed his appendix removed immediately, told us that he'd have to go to a different hospital because he was under 14. I found this rather odd as we had been there over three hours by the time we received this news and were left to drive into Minneapolis in the middle of the night by ourselves.
However, I could not be more impressed with the level of care by son received at the U Children's hospital. Wonderful staff. First rate care. And, he left the hospital and returned home about 14 hours after surgery--unbelievable. And, with only three very small wounds were the incisions were made.
My wife initially took him to a hospital in Edina. They saw our son in the ER pretty quickly and, after some CAT scans confirmed that he needed his appendix removed immediately, told us that he'd have to go to a different hospital because he was under 14. I found this rather odd as we had been there over three hours by the time we received this news and were left to drive into Minneapolis in the middle of the night by ourselves.
However, I could not be more impressed with the level of care by son received at the U Children's hospital. Wonderful staff. First rate care. And, he left the hospital and returned home about 14 hours after surgery--unbelievable. And, with only three very small wounds were the incisions were made.
Random thoughts on the Eden Prairie budget
I read in the local papers that the City has established a preliminary levy for 2012. This levy will modestly increase taxes, slightly more significantly increase spending, and establish certain new "fees" for residents to pay. A few thoughts given my recent history with city finance.
When cities talk about their budgets they prefer to speak only about levy increases--the amount of taxes that they will raise. This is an important point---don't get me wrong. But, it minimizes what citizens should really be concerned about--total spending. Usually, spending will increase in a greater amount (and percent) than taxes. The reason for this is simple--fees and other non-tax revenue. Cities will generate about 30% of their revenue from sources other than property taxes. But, they rarely talk about this. Their primary talking point remains the levy, and that can be misleading.
Take this year, for example. The levy is forecast to rise by about 1%. But, total spending will increase by more than 3%, not including new "fees." Sure, none of those numbers is huge. But, in a time in which economists fear a double dip recession and private sector unemployment remains high, maybe the city could tighten its belt a little more. I don't know many people who're making more money today than they did four years ago. But, city employees have enjoyed an increase in every year but one. Whether money is generated by taxes or by fees it belongs to the people; and all people should be concerned with how much money the city intends to spend.
And, the city is toying with the idea of new "fees" to fund the capital improvement fund. Bad idea. A "fee" is worse than an increase in property tax. At least property tax is deductible on your income tax return; a fee isn't.
And, I still believe that government shouldn't pay "hide the ball"--if city leaders want to raise revenue they should raise taxes and tell people why. Don't start inventing unnecessary fees just so that you can claim that you're not raising taxes by that much.
And, if the city really needs money for its capital improvement fund it could start making some hard choices--for example, selling some of the unnecessary land that it owns. The city bought land six years ago to build a fire station and has been trying to sell a remnant parcel to "the right buyer" ever since. Maybe if the city really needs more money it should do what a private landowner in need of cash would do--cut the price, get less picky on who the "right buyer" is and sell that piece of land.
When cities talk about their budgets they prefer to speak only about levy increases--the amount of taxes that they will raise. This is an important point---don't get me wrong. But, it minimizes what citizens should really be concerned about--total spending. Usually, spending will increase in a greater amount (and percent) than taxes. The reason for this is simple--fees and other non-tax revenue. Cities will generate about 30% of their revenue from sources other than property taxes. But, they rarely talk about this. Their primary talking point remains the levy, and that can be misleading.
Take this year, for example. The levy is forecast to rise by about 1%. But, total spending will increase by more than 3%, not including new "fees." Sure, none of those numbers is huge. But, in a time in which economists fear a double dip recession and private sector unemployment remains high, maybe the city could tighten its belt a little more. I don't know many people who're making more money today than they did four years ago. But, city employees have enjoyed an increase in every year but one. Whether money is generated by taxes or by fees it belongs to the people; and all people should be concerned with how much money the city intends to spend.
And, the city is toying with the idea of new "fees" to fund the capital improvement fund. Bad idea. A "fee" is worse than an increase in property tax. At least property tax is deductible on your income tax return; a fee isn't.
And, I still believe that government shouldn't pay "hide the ball"--if city leaders want to raise revenue they should raise taxes and tell people why. Don't start inventing unnecessary fees just so that you can claim that you're not raising taxes by that much.
And, if the city really needs money for its capital improvement fund it could start making some hard choices--for example, selling some of the unnecessary land that it owns. The city bought land six years ago to build a fire station and has been trying to sell a remnant parcel to "the right buyer" ever since. Maybe if the city really needs more money it should do what a private landowner in need of cash would do--cut the price, get less picky on who the "right buyer" is and sell that piece of land.
Victory 5k
I've run the Victory races on Labor Day at least 7 times in the last decade. This year was the first time I ran the 5K instead of the 10K. But, I had a good reason for the shorter distance--i ran it with my son. He and I had a goal of running a race together this summer and we realized in late August that we were running out of summer.
I had a lot of fun running with my son. I think he enjoyed it, too. Now that the boys are getting older I'm looking forward to participating in activities with them, and not merely watching them.
I had a lot of fun running with my son. I think he enjoyed it, too. Now that the boys are getting older I'm looking forward to participating in activities with them, and not merely watching them.
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