Taxation & Educational Accountability of Minnesota
the Rochester School Board
In regards to the excess levy referendum:
In our opinion in the quest for passage, you let your voice, Our Kids Our Community, spread incomplete and incorrect information.
In our opinion you withheld information provided by the education lobby regarding other tax hikes from them.
In our opinion while you provided access for solicitation on school grounds, they provided you with a measure of plausible deniability.
In our opinion you have used this plausible deniability to distance yourself from your campaign and Our Kids Our Community
In our opinion you failed to take the initiative to correct the misleading information concerning property tax relief.
In our opinion it seemed your much defended integrity and honesty could rise above self serving interests to set the record straight.
In our opinion you were successful in your campaign, partly due to your inaction.
The Rochester Recount went forward after being approved by a local judge. Although the matter was a small, common sense recount, it was the board that defended itself against imaginary accusations, brought on by themselves. After being publicized the judge did not entertain a motion to dismiss, it was the school board that claimed the action for dismissal was never approached by legal council. It was the school board that said they always welcomed a recount action, even though a court fight was underway. You have easy access to the media, and in this case used it to reinforce your opposition to the recount, repute any letters to the editor, and promote your own martyrdom. The general public is limited to 225 words every thirty days and the whim of the editor. Even now, under your control, you exercise the advantage of the media by not airing these comment sessions.
With five of seven seats up for reconsideration in November, and the relocation of the board president, this board has the possibility of becoming a "lame duck." Now is not the time to deviate from long standing practices in regards to superintendent evaluations. This change in procedure, combined with your "blue code" of silence, has antagonized the public, cast concerns on the future of this district and has brought your intentions, again, under scrutiny. This is the only school board we've seen that can shoot themselves in the foot, than go looking for the smoking gun. We look forward to any information you may release today. You would surpass our expectations if you made an announcement concerning conclusive results of the latest evaluation.
In conclusion: This school board is a one-way door, it takes information in but holds the cards close when it comes to being informative. In our opinion, this board is not interested in what is best for the students, but what is worse for parents and taxpayers. It is in November that we look forward to bidding the majority, if not all of you, adieu.