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9 Editor:
Once again this school board is thinking of the moment and the moment only. Due to their ‘let’s just spend it’ attitude, I can’t wait to oppose (please join me) their next bond election.
Looks like we were hoodwinked into passing more than what was needed so the ‘self-proclaimed elitists’ could spend the remainder as they want as they try to keep up with EISD (Westlake). By the way EISD is working on a bond package that includes an enclosed stadium (can BISD top that one?).
A question: Is it because it’s not your money and you could care less about your fellow citizens, so you spend it for what you want and the way you want? Think of those that are still in the struggle the next time you freely spend their money without justification, regardless of how you try to spin your justification that makes no sense.
I realize the bond money is a separate pot of money for BISD to pull from and throw away, but they just laid off a parking lot attendant who did all he could to keep his job. What an emotional plea that night which fell on deaf ears (unanimous vote). Since he was laid off anyway, I wonder how this makes him and the others laid off that same night feel when $40,000 is being wasted on one of the deadliest highways in Bastrop County. How much can you read going 65 miles per hour while you should be focused on the road (lawsuits)? I guess the board could care less with their apparent never-me-or-mine-we-are-protected-and-financially-set attitude.
I wonder how many BISD staffers or citizens in the BISD service territory make $40,000 a year?
Since the sign is so badly needed, does that mean the mail-out communication we all receive from the BISD communication director is no longer necessary in Cedar Creek or is the sign a duplication of communication? Are additional communication layoffs in order due to the installation of the sign?
Looks like tough economic times call for lay-offs and unnecessary expensive signs. I still think U.S. Postal Service mail delivery would do just fine, along with electronic mail, to get the word out. Plus you will be able to say more to your readers that way.
Just a few more questions as I close:
* Was the bond package intentionally inflated to double back and purchase land and freely spend money at a later date?
* What happened to just paying down the debt – or is that not allowed?
* Is an audit of the bond package in order?
* Remember the “for the children campaign”? Were the kids just exploited in order for a few grown folks to have bragging rights and get what they want?
* What about those same children who had and have no say and are already positioned to be straddled with an enormous tax debt after the self proclaimed elitist are dead and gone?
I hope this board and the powers that be at BISD remember these same kids and make sure to leave them an ample amount to pay for the mess they will be leaving behind when they are dead and gone.
Richard Kindred
Bastrop
Mr. Kindred is right on target. We should all take his questions seriously and give them proper consideration, both now and the next time we find ourselves at the polls.
Yes, I think the bond package was intentionally inflated, and yes, an audit of the bond package is in order.
I chatted with one board member a prior to the last “For the Kids” adventure and she said her child was “ashamed” of the actual Bastrop High School building. She said her child goes to inter scholastic events at other schools and their buildings put ours to shame.
Funny what a little vanity and a couple of hundred million dollars will buy. Bastrop ISD debt (but who cares) is a whooping 429,838,926 and would double if the AUSTIN CC TAXING District is voted in. We will be drowning, literally, in a “sea of debt.”
I’d love to know who won the contract for the sign. Was it possibly a relative or friend of one of the board members? “Favors” seem to run rampant around here!
Susan R is catching on……..I think she’s got it! “Culture of Corruption”
I call it the “The Gathering Storm.” For a number of years we have watched the reckless spending of school districts in general and BISD in particular. The trustees of these school districts have acted as if there is no tomorrow, depending on the good will of the taxpayers to support their building plans which always require bond issues and a steady influx of property tax funds. This has worked fine in times of prosperity when property values rise so high that tax rates can remain level and the money still poors in. But the chickens are coming home to roost as someone infamously has said. If you read the American-Statesman you find the Austin Independent School District is finding itself in a real bind. In order to meet their budget they are contemplating a tax rate increase that will require a roll back election. We don’t as yet know what the BISD trustees will do concerning their budget. The runors have it that a large tax rate increase is in the cards. Lurking in the background is the upcoming election in Nov for the ACC initiative which will be a furthur tax increase for BISD taxpayers if the initiative is approved. In my estimation what is brewing is the “mother of all tax revolts.”
Roll Back Election BISD
If you read the minutes for BISD they have already discussed a roll back election so I would say they have cracked the mold and once that genie is out of the bottle, look out. What will they need next? Perhaps a spa for the football players to relax in?
Break it on down – the following figures (in millions) are a year old.
The BISD actually owes more in interest than it does in principal and that is rare among Texas ISD’s. I threw in the AUSTIN Community College TAXING District debt just for laughs so folks can do the math and see what they will owe. Generation X is going to have to get their heads in the game and not acquire any additional debt. The temptation to spend spend spend without regard to the consequences should stop with the ACC vote in November. My only question is; “Who will declare bankruptcy first – The nation or Bastrop?” I will be accused of using “fear tactics” tactics here. You be I am afraid. My wife and I a retires and if you don’t think we will go down the drain first, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale! Get the facts – http://www.acctaxfacts.com, Roll back election – I am for that and how about a recall election, while we are at it?
County 0f Bastrop Debt 45,926,883
Bastrop ISD Debt 429,838,926
City of Bastrop Debt 34,904,196
City of Elgin Debt 23,929.765
Elgin ISD Debt 122,989,61
McDade ISD Debt 1,929,445
Austin CCD Debt 444,635,965
I sincerely HOPE that taxpayers will vote down any new taxes. We are already paying way too much in taxes, from the county to the federal government.
Next year will be especially hard on small businesses because all of the Bush tax cuts will be gone.
When will these governmental bodies realize that this money is not from a tree in the back yard but from the taxpayers?
I find it disgusting that my children do not have the books they need. My sons 5th Grade science teacher tells me that the Science book that she is supposed to use is almost 15 years old! She said she can not teach from it because the information is too outdated. She uses the internet to plan her lessons. Why do we have outdated science books and yet a 40,000 dollar sign??? Wake up people…this school district is crooked as hell. It’s not what’s best for the children of Bastrop…it’s about what kind of underhanded deal can I make to get me a kick back?!
Why do I have to purchase paper towels, Clorox wipes, Kleenex, Dry erase markers for the teachers and Hand Sanitizer as “Back to School” supplies? I think 40,000 dollars would have bought a lot of Dry Erase markers for our school teachers.
This school board needs to be ran out of this county!!! They should be ashamed!!