Public School consolidation in a growing city?
l3wis 
Am I the only one that finds it a bit strange we are consolidating schools in a city that is growing? And trying to eliminate schools in the core of the city?
The debate is about the future of their children. But Sioux Falls parents are learning more about the possibility of three different elementary schools closing. The district held a public input meeting Monday night to discuss some options on the table. But some in the crowd felt the clash came down to community versus money.
I live very close to Longfellow. And this doesn’t surprise me one bit;
It was a full meeting room packed with dozens of citizens arguing about everything from class sizes to technology. But some felt the discussion was a bit one-sided.
“I wasn’t left with the impression, though, that it was to hear our opinions so much as to try and reassure us that our opinions weren’t correct,” Baumgartner said.
Apparently Baumgartner has never experienced Dictator Homan. She WILL do what she wants to and doesn’t give a rat’s ass what you think. They hold these meetings to bring the ‘appearance’ that they care. If they really cared they would keep the schools open, or better yet, rebuild them entirely. The school district spends millions each year in administrative costs, they have the money for bricks and mortar, don’t let them tell you they don’t. That is why I am a big advocate of building the public indoor pool at a HS.
I found this little tidbit interesting in the article;
Monday was just a public input meeting with no decisions being made. In fact, there’ll be another meeting on September 24. During the session, Baumgartner also asked about a rumor that’s been floating around of whether Sanford Health has contacted the district to purchase the Jefferson property. Superintendent Pam Homan flatly denied it. We attempted to contact someone at Sanford, but no official returned our calls.
Wouldn’t surprise me one single bit.
I also want to remind everyone that there are two seats up this Spring for school board. I believe it is Doug Morrison and Julie Westra. Would love to see SEVERAL candidates running against them. I have heard of 3 possibilities already and would love to see more.
