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Budget
From Page A-l
budget. He, and many others, said he did not want to see taxes go up, but he wants his children to get a good education and be on par with the rest of the country. He said he wants to see his children graduate from an accredited school and go on to higher education. Cecelia Dennis agreed, saying that she wants her kids to have a future and continue their education past high school.
Take a look at the school’s performance, said John Marocchi, adding that it is not a very encouraging record. He feels more attention should be paid to test scores. “Why do we continue to pay more to get less?” he asked. He feels the only solution is to look at the school’s management. Dr. Gangel responded that the Iowa test scores have fluctuated but the SAT scores are among the leaders in this region.
Bill Dietel, a former teacher and principal, was one of many to point out the incredible number of volunteers in this county, at the schools and otherwise. He said that 85 percent of the increase in the budget is mandated; the increase would be only 1 1/2 percent without the mandates, he said. He said that capital expenditures are required to keep up the physical plant, and he believes the present administration is trying to build a first rate education for the county’s children.
Some speakers pointed out that parents should be responsible for getting their kids to study and apply themselves. If they don’t do this, said Newbill Miller, they will get behind. “Maybe if everyone worked harder We would not have this remedial problem,” he said.
Aaron Roberts wondered if the legal requirements were because of low passport scores. He mentioned the four percent raises for staff, and said that where he works they don’t reward people for a job that is not done properly. He said he believed a lot of the budget could be cut. Dr. Gangel responded that the literacy passport scores will not be out until June but that he believes they will show a big jump.
Student Amy Gillis said she hopes that the money budgeted for the band program, $5800, would not be cut. She plays the French horn and she said that it has been proven that kids in band get higher test scores.
Chris Johns supported the budget, saying he believed the money needed to be spent. He pointed out that we have subjects now that were unheard of 30 years ago and that costs more. “We can have first rate schools but it will cost some money,” he said.
Charlie Hughes, who has a construction background, said he believes the board should look at cutting the physical plant costs and take out 10
95.2%