Tony Stauber’s letter to the Editor published today. I couldn’t agree more.
In November, taxpayers have the opportunity to express their rights: no ifs, ands or buts. In Duluth they can vote to fire four renegade School Board members.
These four, in spite of petitions requesting a vote on the cost of the red plan, prevented a vote. If 5,000 taxpayers signed a piece of toilet paper, the board should know what taxpayers wanted and should have responded. How could taxation without representation happen in this country? We voters did not elect board members to misuse state statutes, yet they did because they could. The trustworthiness of these four is suspect. Duluth needs a board that is sensitive to taxpayers and students.
Red plan supporters must ask: Can we allow these renegades to make decisions for student welfare when they have supported bonding nearly $300 million for buildings and not one cent for curriculum, text, supplies or equipment? We are losing teachers, class size has increased, and the seven-hour day was lost. Many technology and fine-arts programs were cut. Co-curricular and extracurricular programs have been reduced, while participation costs for others increased.
Educational objectives should include putting students first. We need seven, not three, board members who will put students first. Student needs come before buildings. Four board members have demonstrated their disregard for students, which they cannot deny. They have also demonstrated a truculent attitude toward taxpayers.
Ignoring students and taxpayers is not what we elected the board to do. Now it’s our responsibility to fire those rascals. We can’t afford more of the same or students will lose more and taxpayers will be taxed out of their homes. I urge voters: Don’t let these four get past the primaries. Keep School Board member Gary Glass, who will represent students and taxpayers, and fire other incumbents.
Tony Stauber
Duluth
The writer worked 17 years as a teacher, 20 years as a district administrator and four years as a School Board member.
