DISTRICT 200 NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME!

D200 eyes outside communications firm....

Dare I ask once again how can our board in good conscious WASTE $49,500 of the budget, that could go toward IMMEDIATE needs at Jefferson?  Don't get me wrong, I am fully aware that Jefferson needs far more improvements then $49,500 can allow, but we the community CAN NOT ALLOW THE FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY TO CONTINUE!  Dr. Harris stated that he wants an "open a conversation with residents to see what their priorities are, what they'd be willing to support and what they're willing to trade off."  Was Dr. Harris willing to trade off the increases to his salary?  Rosemary Swanson states  "Jefferson is one of a couple of substantial facility needs that we just can't pull together in our budget."  Wait... Rosemary you were re-elected to the board, right?  Do you remember the 2011-12 School Year? The board set a goal to establish a long-range capital project plan for the district, including but not limited to a plan for renovation/renewal/replacement of Jefferson, 14 million.  Was 14 million not enough?  Why not add the $49,500 that you are willing to waste on a consulting firm.  I wonder if the board is going to continue to ask the community, until they get the response they want.  I ask this because of the statement made by Jim Vroman, "Many of the same people attend each of these forums and how meaningful the comments we got and whether they were representative of the community is somewhat questionable."  Actually Jim, I think maybe you just weren't listening.  I DO WANT TO THANK JIM MATHIESON, who the reporter felt questioned whether the outside firm would be able to give the district more than generic answers and whether it was worth the $50,000 price tag.  THANK GOODNESS SOMEONE SEEMS TO BE LISTENING.  Please spend the allocated money that was granted and set aside for Jefferson in the 2011/2012 budget on Jefferson.  If you have spent on other things within the district then SHAME ON YOU, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT, AND FIX IT!