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| Dietz pitches school levy proposal |
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Posted: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 7:45 pm
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By RUTH ANN HAGER
rhager@wasecacountynews.com
WASECA — At his first meeting of the Waseca School Board as superintendent of schools, Brian Dietz proposed November ballot questions totaling $997 per pupil based on what he heard during his first three weeks in Waseca.
A native of Montgomery, and a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Dietz and his family returned to Minnesota from California after he was hired to replace retiring superintendent John Rokke.
At Thursday’s meeting, Dietz said he was more excited about the chance to raise his children in Waseca and have them in Waseca schools than about his own new job.
“We’re a great school district and I want to get that feeling back,” he said.
In conversations with community stakeholders, Dietz said, he was told to “ask for what you need, not what you want.” He was told that the previous $1,300 funding question was “way too much.” And he was told that trust is missing between the district and the public.
People said the district needs to follow through on perceived threats such as closing Hartley and the perceived ability to find money when it is needed.
“The money really isn’t there and it’s getting scarcer,” Dietz said.
He plans to be the “one voice” to take the November referendum to the community, to explain why the funding is needed, and why there should be two questions at a combined maximum of $1,000.
Using a survey of area referendum revenue, Dietz is recommending that the first question for voter approval asks for $847, the area average, for a period of six to seven years.
Of the area schools, number one is Windom at $1,332 per pupil. Waseca is last with its current $0 per pupil funding. As a comparison, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton is at $882 per pupil.
Dietz said the $847 per pupil funding would maintain and build some programs although there would still be some cuts. But without a new referendum, it would be very difficult, he said.
School board chair Keith Hiller said when board members asked for $1,300 in last year’s failed referendum, they were told they would still have to cut $250,000 a year.
“We’ll take what the public will give us but we were told we had to cut $250,000 a year at $1,300,” he said.
“These are tough times,” said Dietz. “We will put something back but the variables are still unknown.”
The variables are state funding levels, which depend in part on who is elected governor, and the community itself, including enrollment numbers, he said. Federal stimulus funds of the past two years have ended.
The public understands the school’s situation but personal situations exist and people have their own “tipping point,” he said.
“$847 is a lot brighter than $0 but it comes down to what will the public support?” said CIS principal John Huttemier.
Question One hits all the needs that the public [says it] values, said Dietz.
Question Two would ask for an additional $150 per pupil for critical technology upgrades and to bring back fine arts, agricultural and industrial arts classes that were eliminated last year.
The two questions are “exactly what I heard,” said Dietz.
School board member Randy Zimmerman said somehow, the situation doesn’t seem as bad as it did last year.
Dietz said he heard from the community that while maintaining successful schools is important, people are hurting.
“I agree. I know how bad it is out there,” he said. “Everyone has to take their fair share.”
His three weeks out in the community were “humbling,” and as a result, he is focused on the district’s “absolute need,” Dietz said.
Hiller said, “That’s a great message. I like this message; the message is positive.”
The message doesn’t end in November, said Dietz. The school district must tell its stories of staff dedication, student achievement and safety, and of being good stewards of taxpayers’ money.
Cathy Hoy said, in the back of her mind, the concern lingers that last year they asked for $1,300 and still had to cut.
Dietz called his proposal a blueprint and the board has time to analyze and think about it.
At its Aug. 5 meeting, the school board will make a decision on the referendum question or questions, the amount of funding requested and the number of years it would be in effect.
While it is part of the board’s responsibility as elected officials to look over his proposals and he is open to further discussions, Dietz said the referendum questions he offered are a “definite global response to where it’s at.”
“This is what I heard and it’s realistic,” he said. “Times are tough but we’re going to get through this.”
Dietz invited anyone to call him to talk to their group about the referendum.
“I love to talk about Waseca schools,” he said. “There’s no greater investment than investing in our kids and it’s never been more important than it is now.”
Over and over, Dietz said, he heard from people who had left Waseca and came back because they wanted to raise their own families here. He said it is important that residents regain the pride they felt in saying, “I’m from Waseca. This where I want to be.”
Ruth Ann Hager covers city politics and education for the Waseca County News. Reach her at 837-5446.
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Member Opinions:
By: Howdy on 8/1/10
Can anyone tell me who funds Community Ed? Is it funded by the School District?
By: DanACunningham on 7/30/10
Hasher, The book title is "When Brute Force Fails". It's about crime and punishment -- off topic here, except, maybe the argument for strategies that can make more effective use of resources to accomplish more at less cost.
By: Hasher on 7/30/10
DanACunningham, What’s the name of the book you’re referring to? I don’t do a lot of reading, but it sounds like something I would like to read!
By: DanACunningham on 7/30/10
If I were to contact Mr. Deitz, it wouldn't be so much in hopes that I would change his mind as it would be to give him a chance to change mine -- even though he's already offended me by dividing the school district into two groups: the "stakeholders" whose opinions he has solicited, and the "non-stakeholders" (like me -- non-parent, non-business owner, non-teacher) whose opinions don't matter until November. govtmule, I tend to agree with you more and more. BTW, I did get the book and have read about a-third. I haven't dog-eared any pages, but there is a tear and some tooth marks (?) in the jacket cover. ... You have kids and a dog (?), right?
By: wowsawoo on 7/30/10
Hasher-I couldn't tell you what Dietz would or wouldn't say or do. You would need to talk directly to him to get that information.
By: Hasher on 7/30/10
Wowsawoo, Do you really think that if I call or pay a visit to this Dietz, that I can change his mind? If he’s a Liberal, that will never happen!
By: wowsawoo on 7/30/10
It appears as though the newly hired superintendent, Mr. Dietz, is receptive to input. I hope you are all making the effort to contact Mr. Dietz to provide your views and not mistakenly rely on this blog to be your legitimate "voice" in the decision making process.
By: Hasher on 7/30/10
It’s a real shame what lengths those who want this to pass will go to. Students sharing books as one example. Do you really think you can get me to believe that there aren’t any other areas that cuts could be made to make our schools more efficient? Again like in the past I say it comes down to priorities! I refuse to allow others with their own agendas to try to make me feel like I’m the bad guy on this issue. I’m tired of the way things are being run, and I believe the majority of others are as well. If we want real change, it is us that have to make it happen.
By: govtmule on 7/30/10
brneyed, Pass or no pass it is becoming obvious that the education system is no longer the 100% answer to educating our children. This is not just a Waseca issue but we can see how it manifests itself here. Schools have taken on several roles outside of educating and that has stolen resources from that mission. Schools have failed to grasp the changes in our society, our workplaces and our place in the global economy. New technology, processes and ideas have taken root in our lives that demand a completely new curriculum - even from a decade ago. An additional $2000/student is not going to make the change in the Waseca district. We parents have to begin viewing the schools as a much smaller share of our childrens educational process. Those parents who pick up the slack will have successful children, those who wait for the Queen Elizabeth to change its course will hinder their children and our nations progress. This is truly sad considering our nation is not in a position to take more hits like this.
By: flounder on 7/30/10
We sure seem to have a lot more problems since a lot of the "Time For a Change" candidates got on the school board. I sure haven't seen all the wonderful new things they promised us. And the fiasco with the charter school sure cost us taxpayers a bundle, didn't it? Also, when you threaten consequences if the referendum didn't pass and then back track you lose a lot of credibility. I would like to see things more the way they were four years ago. You can keep the Change. In spite of the incompetence of the current school board, I think the referendum needs to pass at least at the $847 level. Let's give things a chance to get back on track.
By: brneyed on 7/29/10
really you guys! this is your childrens and other peoples childrens lives and education. what does it take for all of you to think about what is best for the kids. Yes, it will put a strain on your bills but wouldn't you want some one else to vote YES for you or your children. maybe not bring every thing that they took away last year but conserve what is best for these children. I have a large family and honestly i would do anything to help others even if i knew i had to work harder.
By: gamegram on 7/29/10
Three foreclosures on my block too, Hasher, and I'm on the other side of town from you. Let's not tax any more people out of their homes, please.
By: Hasher on 7/29/10
What is this Dietz, think he is talking about? I can believe what I’m reading! Three foreclosures on my block! Our property value went up this year when it should have gone down! Any fool can see that things have gotten worse since last year! Hartley didn’t close! The sky didn’t fall when the referendum didn’t pass. He’s clearly in the dark! Maybe I need to make my home the fourth one!
By: mylogic on 7/28/10
It really looks to me like there are some that want all or nothing. Ever hear of compromise. People cannot afford the tax increase, that's the bottom line and the reason it was turned down less than a year ago. I personally don't think they should be able to come back one year later, after it has been voted down. How many times have we seen extra money, by some miracle show up. Then there is the Hartley and South Side issues. "Really" the general public isn't that stupid. Start telling the truth because what you have done has not helped the kids in any way. As for the old computers and shared books. I guess it can't be all that bad if Hartley School is winning awards. Sometimes you have to make the best out the situation and rise above. So you have to work with some older equipment, at least you have the equipment or the books. If you want the best of everything then go find a good private school and pay the tuition. Our schools are still top notch. In case no one has noticed, schools throughout the country are in similar situations. It's the economy. Give it a chance to turn around so people are in better financial shape to give a little more. Go back to the 600-700 per student and do your best to work with it and be happy you have it. We can't keep spending when we don't have it to spend.
By: DanACunningham on 7/28/10
mrsbrenmrrs, They are not asking for less. $997 is 163% compared to the previous $610 working levy. Even the $847 question is 139% of that $610.
By: mrsbrenmrrs on 7/27/10
Yes they are asking for less,and that will keep the schools open, and busses running, but our children will still have computers at school that are older then they are.There also will not be enough textbooks for each student,some will have to share again this year.Those that won't have to share it's because the books are so old and outdated it doesn't matter. Thats o.k. lets not worry about what kind of education the kids are getting just so we don't have to change our way of life to give more to our students!I still believe the first vote should have passed!
By: oscardagrouch on 7/27/10
Well Well Well, someone finally gets it. How come this guy can come in and in a matter of a couple weeks understand what the people whom voted "No" were saying??? Exactly what we asked, lower your expectations, dont go for the maximum amount when you very well can get by with less. Also, he mentions the cuts that were promised had the referendum not passed and then somehow we find a way to not have to make the cuts, such as Hartley. What does this tell the voting people? You threaten to make cuts and then all of a sudden we thank God dont have to close this school, we wont have to cut this or that etc. We tend to then wonder "Do you really need all this funding" Apparently not the $1300. I am glad someone is finally listening its too bad we all had to go through all this. I for one am now very close to changing my vote, not deffinate but I can now bend a little just like the supe is doing...I think there was and may still be a lot of bad blood between yes and no voters, it was all or nothing and now we have an option, this is all we asked last year, why not give us a lower figure, something to work with and more comfortable. Good Luck to all involved.
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