7/20/2008

This is in regards to the BASD Board Meeting on July 14, 2008 and the article that covered it in the PE.

$737 was spent to treat the baseball team and miscellaneous adults to dinner.  Tim Honeywell wielded the District’s debit card that paid for it.  Explanation given:  “We’ve always done it.” So, we’ve done it since 1988… Does this make it right? For those who think I am just picking on the baseball team, I will remind you of another situation a couple of years ago where I spoke out when the taxpayers paid certain staff for working a full week even though they worked only have days during the summer.  Thirty years of this misuse of taxpayer dollars was justified by James Kraky who also said those words “We’ve always done it.”  These things were done because the board allowed it.  They said they didn’t know about it.  Why not?  Now they know, but I predict that NOTHING will be done to change it.  This is why our financial situation is so bad.  If you reply that “we have a $7.5 million fund balance”, I will tell you that it is because of overtaxing, not careful spending.  At the rate we are going, that edge will be gone soon enough.  Our budget grew to the point that it is (over $41 million dollars) because of the fluff built into it that allows these extravagances and misuse.  If we were truly creating a budget that reflected our “needs” versus “fluff”, those extra dollars would not have been available to misuse and our budget would be much less.  “Feeding at the public trough” is a phrase that fits this situation.  BASD needs to go on a financial diet. 

Members of the Field Hockey Booster Club approached the board about the lack of appointment of a coach for that team.  They demanded that we hire a specific person as coach.  We listened, but our hands were tied from making a decision that night.  A player who spoke told the reporter that we “blew her off” when she spoke.  I resent that statement; we listened to every word. 

This situation, as well as the finances of the district, prompted me to present a proposal to board members.  This plan could be in place for the 2009-2010 school term.  The proposal was that we (taxpayers) continue to provide the venue for all sports (this would be venues we ALREADY have) and turn over all financial issues involving sports to the Booster Clubs, parents, participants and businesses that might want to sponsor them.  They would be responsible for the hiring of coaches (no more need to strong arm the board), paying coaches, transportation, uniforms, equipment and any other cost associated with their sport, including steak dinners.  They can have the uniforms and equipment already available and just replace as necessary, perhaps having a business purchase those items in exchange for attaching their logo.   A former school board member (Wayne Strausser) recommended that BASD suspend its entire sports program a couple of years ago.  It was his ploy to get support for the huge tax increase they were about to impose.  The board meeting room filled up with people who said they were willing to pay more for sports.  I say it is time for them to put their money where their mouth is and assume the financial burden for sports.  Taxpayers are not required to provide sports; we are required to provide education. 

Now, let the Becky Bash begin.  I checked my feelings at the door when I took this job, so go ahead.