Last updated on 2011.01.26
We polled the Madison HS bond issue back before Christmas; let's see if public opinion has shifted any after a month of letters to the editor, forums, and advertising. The latest Madville Times poll (and the first one on the new WordPress platform---let's see if the widget breaks the blog!) asks you, dear readers, one major fiscal question: Should Madison voters approve the $16.98-million bond issue on February 1?
Voting is open until Monday 06:00, and hour and a day before the real polls open at the City Armory. Spread the word, and click your answer at the top of the near sidebar now!
So i was downtown the other night and an individual and myself got to talking about the bond issue. He is 110% for it, I am not at all and will say that to anyone. I had to listen for quite some time how this 16million dollars will bring a bunch of business to Madison (thus improve my sales at my own store).
Cory, have you heard from the school board or anyone about the economic impact of this? I think personally its just a buncha crap to get people who are real estate owners, business owners, ect to change their vote to yes. It'd be interesting if you could find out anything about that. Where is the propaganda? I was at the chamber tour of it and didn't hear anything to do with benefits for area businesses.
This same reason was given for the new middle school, then the new elementary school, and now this one. Has Madison seen any economic development and people and businesses moving to town because of these previous building projects?
Say, Casey, I haven't heard that specific argument as a major part of the discussions I've been involved in. However, if someone offers you that argument, ask them to quantify that economic benefit and compare it to the economic slowdown that could occur as Madisonites cut back on spending to balance the tax increase in their personal budgets.
Now having good schools is important for a local economy. But I would be curious to see an analysis of return on investment. Suppose School X invests $6M over 25 years in a new gym. Suppose School B invests $6M over 25 years in hiring five new, highly qualified teachers (one possible dream team: two foreign language teachers, one speech/debate teacher, one economics teacher, one statistics teacher). Which investment produces more measurable benefits for students and the community?
Linda, nobody in the school system or on the committee is promoting the renovation as an economic boost, other than construction workers buying fuel, food, materials and rooms locally during construction. The real benefit is how our total education package appears to people who are considering moving to Madison, whether to work at DSU, an industry or even to open a business. Education is a major factor in people's decision about where they're going to live and right now we're providing less than we can in our high school facilities. Maybe a new Middle School or Grade School didn't encourage hundreds of people to move here, but it may help keep turnover lower than it could be. What I'm hearing from residents of Madison Central who are older than me is that the renovation has a good chance of passing on Tuesday. Fixed income grandparents are driving the wagon.
Still not mentioning the gym, Rod????
This whole election should have actually been put to 2 separate votes. One for the upgrading of the school and one for a new gym that is for multipurpose use. When you lump them together it is not much of a choice if you have your own money issues and cannot afford increases for wish list of others. People could support one issue and not the other and should have that choice. This way they can't. There will many more cost issues with the gym than what is brought up. Seating, new light boards, etc. etc. Where is a good place to put the gym? Got to have different parking and move the football practice field, etc. Have to think of these things as added cost in the future. Just thinking about fixed incomes. I'd be totally for upgrading the school for the kids and their education but with the two projects together - it's tough.