Donegal voters reject proposal for new high school for second time Options

[Lancaster Online]

[taxlady]

Too bad, so sad.

[tpta]

My question to all who voted against this proposal is this. What do you suggest the Donegal school district does to correct these problems? One way or another your going to pay!! To be willing to send your children to deteriorating and overcrowded schools is shameful!

This post has been edited by tpta: Nov 4 2009, 04:34 AM

[LOLReader]

The situation is more than shameful.

[Lancaster Eagle]

Yeah, I'm puzzled by this as well. What is the district supposed to do to help these young people? Shameful and selfish are the words that come to mind. The district was offering rebate assistance for those with fixed incomes, so there really is no excuse. People are putting their wallets ahead of the children's best interests.

[Artie See]

If Donegal consistently fails to meet the standards required by law, then the State could take control of the school district and do whatever is necessary to remediate the issues.

[buttongirl]

This is very sad. At some point young families are going to start moving out or just not move in. It will become a district of geriatrics.

[MzrJoe]

This is so simple…



When drivers have knocks in their engines that are repairable, they don’t necessarily go into debt for a brand new car. When a business looks to move into the area, it’s not automatic that they build a new building. When YOUR house has a leak in the roof, you don’t have to bulldoze the home and rebuild from scratch.



Cars get fixed, vacant buildings get reconfigured and roofs get repairs all at a great savings over new construction.



What do smart, fiscally responsible school boards do in their district’s hour of need? Renovate.

[caninegroomer]

If Donegal consistently fails to meet the standards required by law, then the State could take control of the school district and do whatever is necessary to remediate the issues.

Yeah, then hear 'um squeal about a tax increase if the state gets involved!

[pfbss]

Zerphy and the old school board were a big part in creating this problem. Holding taxes down, postponing the building and updating of infrastructure. Fortunately they are gone but the mess has been left to clean up. The majority of the voters don't see the big picture by not passing this second vote. The cost of not doing anything is going to immeasurable short term and long term. Taxes are going up regardless if this vote was passed or not. DSE is also at capacity. The best proposal was scaled back to fix what was needed and now rejected. Another disappointing vote.

[WGM1171]

What do smart, fiscally responsible school boards do in their district's hour of need? Renovate.

You can't renovate a Model "T" into a roadworthy and safe car for today's roads. Plain and simple. With the amount of improvements and renovations required to the high school, it is far cheaper to build new than it is to renovate. Complying with current building and ADA codes would make renovation not practical. The infrastructure just isn't there to make it feasible.

I voted "yes" in favor of this referendum and am sad that it didn't pass. Much closer than last time, but majority still rules. I will be watching closely to see what the future holds for the DSD as I have one child in kindergarten and another one a few years away. They won't be in the high school for quite some time, but it is much easier to pull up stakes and move on before they are established in a school system.

The comment that families will be looking to move and others hesitant on moving in based on the schools is more than true...

[mtjoyman]

This is so simple…

[/size]

When drivers have knocks in their engines that are repairable, they don't necessarily go into debt for a brand new car. When a business looks to move into the area, it's not automatic that they build a new building. When YOUR house has a leak in the roof, you don't have to bulldoze the home and rebuild from scratch.



Cars get fixed, vacant buildings get reconfigured and roofs get repairs all at a great savings over new construction.


Its about putting 10 lbs of crap in a 5 pound bag. Donegal has 14 modular classrooms behind the high school. By law as soon as they renovate that building those trailers must go. Where do you put those 14 classrooms ????????? Get all the facts before you spout off.
[size="3"]What do smart, fiscally responsible school boards do in their district's hour of need? Renovate.

[MzrJoe]

Every building can be updated. Every building and it will save money. Believe it or not, there are some Model Ts still on the road. This idea that it's cheaper to build new is almost never true.

And I want to address something else... this idea that taxes will go back down after the debt is paid in twenty years. That NEVER happens. In fact, in a few years, the taxes will go up again when a new elementary school needs to be built or millions of dollars in repairs are needed for other buildings.

Once taxes go up, they almost never come back down. There will always be something else that needs done once politicians realize a new increase has been worked into the family budget. Tax payers must hold thier ground and find the balance between affordable living and affordable, quality education.

[newshound]

To the future generations of DHS I sincerely apologize for my generation's failing to value your education. As we clutch our Sacred Almighty dollar as they close the lid on our casket, I hope you see a tear in our dead eyes as we grieve for eternity for what we have done to you. And to the sate legislators who enacted this insane referendum legislation-What were you thinking? You have doomed education in the State of Pa.

[MzrJoe]

Part of any good renovation is adding space if needed. (as in the case of the 14 classrooms.) You may need a new building, but not an entire high school.