This Mornings News

CVP, when I was on the citizens group on school concurrency, the estimates the School Board was using for the cost of future schools ranged from $25 million for elementary schools to $50 million for high schools.  Of course, those estimates were based on 2007 information - back when gas wasn't $4 a gallon.

There's a big financial storm brewing in the Clay County School District.  We will soon reach the point where we simply cannot afford to build the couple of dozen or so schools we already need, much less however many new schools will be needed to accommodate the county's growing population.  At least, we won't be able to afford to build the kind of Taj Mahal schools that are on the drawing board. 

The School District needs a fresh perspective - one that will search for new solutions to a growing problem and won't just continue the same approaches that have it headed toward financial disaster.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

We really do need some fresh blood on the school board who can bring new ideas to the table.  I'm afraid thou that those on the board that have been there since the original Buckman Bridge was built are scaring that new blood away and that, in my opinion is why Wayne Bolla gave up.  The new member from District 4 will probably get the same cold shoulder and lack of respect.

Maybe with the  addition of a totally new Superintendent with different views then the current ones, things will turn around.

You know, CVP, I've known a couple of long-time elected officials who were actual leaders.  They weren't satisfied with The Plan.  They always looked for The Better Plan.

We haven't had any of those on our School Board - at least none effective enough to lead the Board they were a part of.  And the result has been more of the same policies driving the district toward an unsolvable financical crisis some future School Board will have to deal with on an emergency basis.

Times are chaning.  Clay County's changing.  But our government's myopic perspective never does.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

New blood has ran for the School Board and the citizens of Clay County have voted back in the Good "ole boys .... like Lisa Graham & Charlie Van Zant Jr.  Just look...now his Dad's running for House of Rep...  It won't get any better until the citizens of Clay County vote these guys out of office.

I can't speak for new blood on the board because I just don't know enough yet about those running.

Is there any new blood running for the two board seats?

For Superintendent of Schools, I've talked with all three on a number of occasions. I can't say for sure yet who I will vote for, but I can tell you it won't be the old school that just retired as the Deputy after 14 years.

Mike Heemer

Both Steve Richards and I are considered "new blood" and are currently teachers in Clay county.  Ben Wortham has 39 years in the school district, the majority at the big house on Walnut Street.  For the School Board, Duane D'Andrea, the husband of a teacher, a Navy vet, and an HR guy for CSX is running against 16 year incumbent Carol Studdart.  Also, running for Wayne Bolla's seat is Frank Farrell and Ken Francis, a retired principal.  Both have interesting platforms, and I highly encourage you to visit their websites and the SOE websites and study their ideas.