Walton Co. School Board Meets about Blithe Spirit!!

[Smiling JOe]

So you are assuming that because they take monetary contributions from these people, that they are endeared to them?... They give money to the process to try to get people elected that favor their way of thinking. Unless we institute some sort of public financing system, this is the one we have to live with. Rather right or wrong, it takes a lot to get elected. And you have to get elected to be where you can affect change.

But a well organized grass roots group could change things.

Sounds like you have a good grasp of poliTRICKS.

 

[Teresa]

WaltonGOP,


With 90% of the tax base living south of the bay, either the politician?s focus of attention will change, or the people?s frustration will eventually bring about greater participation. I would say that this should be especially so after fiasco such as this group of fundamentalist outsiders attacking our children, their education and their play. I do know that I was not the only one who took notes last week so that I can vote properly the next round of elections.

does anyone remember the big controversey about 10-12 years ago when a group was pushing to "incorporate" Santa Rosa Beach, to form a city government? I don't remember details of how far this went, it was probably a little ahead of its time... but someday it may be an excellent way to address many local services, issues, etc.

 

[wrobert]

does anyone remember the big controversey about 10-12 years ago when a group was pushing to "incorporate" Santa Rosa Beach, to form a city government? I don't remember details of how far this went, it was probably a little ahead of its time... but someday it may be an excellent way to address many local services, issues, etc.

It did not get very far, because on its face it will do nothing more than further increase taxes. In a perfect world, the county would decrease taxes to offset the services that they would no longer provide. But after seeing a 57% budget increase in one year, based mostly on increases in market value due to speculation, I no longer believe that they would do that. It is sad, but I think they would probably use the windfall to further expand government both in scope and cost.

 

[questor]

I remember now. I did get a couple of calls asking what that was because it showed up on some calendars. You are correct, we did not have anything to vote on at that particular time.

But we did have a special election on May 15, 2007 that had a turnout of around 7-9% if I remember correctly. The issue was taking .5 mills of the capital outlay budget and shifting it over to the general budget for the school district. This was to allow additional operating funding for things like salaries, art, drama, sports, and such.

And did it pass?

 

[questor]

I just wondered, does anybody happen to know:

a: How much the WCHS budget is?
b: How the money is allocated? (ie: How much goes to what activity?)
C: Is there a way to "donate" funds to a particular department
or does it all go into the "General Fund" to be spent as "somone" sees fit?
D: Who is that "someone"?

 

[wrobert]

And did it pass?

85% yes. But what would one expect. More money in the general fund is more money for salaries, so the union made sure those affected voted. Seemed few others bothered.

 

[InletBchDweller]

My SIL was here for Thanksgiving and she taught high school drama for 10 years. She could not belive that this is happening. She did Blithe and also Agnes of God in South Louisiana where Catholics are everywhere. Not ONE complaint in her 10 years. She did not even alter any play --- EVER. She said that she taught her students like this.

Pretend you wrote a love letter to your boyfriend. You had a friend deliver it to him. On the way she read it and changed some of your words. How would you feel:?? They were your words and you put them that way on purpose... I thought that was a good way to explain it...

 

[Smiling JOe]

I agree with your sister, IBD. I would also bet that there is copyright of the plays which don't allow it to be altered.

My personal opinion is that one's mind will absorb only that information which he or she already knows. Everything else is ignored.

 

[questor]

85% yes. But what would one expect. More money in the general fund is more money for salaries, so the union made sure those affected voted. Seemed few others bothered.

NOW you see my point. The Drama department (especially!) as well as most of the other "arts" operate on a "donation from parents" or "event sale" or whatever. The football team and sports oddly do not have that same problem. And the administration I am sure never goes wanting for money!
I would be EXTREMELY embarrassed to be the Principal of a School where the Drama teacher had to PAY out of his own pocket for the needs of his class, whether it be "Blythe Spirit" or "Harvey"!
I would LOVE to see the school budget audited! I wonder who we would have to see to get that done.

 

[questor]

I agree with your sister, IBD. I would also bet that there is copyright of the plays which don't allow it to be altered.

My personal opinion is that one's mind will absorb only that information which he or she already knows. Everything else is ignored.

I gotta say here that I hear SONGS played on regular FM radio probably AT the school on personal radios or on IPods while the kids are on break that make ME sick! NOBODY seems to care about THAT problem warping our children's morals. I would like to see the school TRY to BAN all RADIO stations!
Those stations that care take the time to electronically "bleep" out the worst but the kids all know what the "bleep" means and I am pretty sure that the "bleep" does not violate the copyright on the songs.
The play COULD have been performed if our school administration were not still living in the Dark Ages. Their day has come and gone. They are dinosaurs who just don't know when to become fossils.
I would be willing to make a bet that Blythe Spirit WILL be performed eventually in a Walton County School. IN OUR LIFETIME!