[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Win some, Lose some

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Win some, Lose some
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1225866793.shtml


   In two large, adjoining, demographically similar school districts in
   the Northwest Metro, each puts two referendum questions before its
   voters. They both pass in Robbinsdale (281). They both fail in Osseo
   (279). Why?
   I've been casually following events in 279 via the Sun Post, Channel
   12, and a newsletter from citizen group "District 279 United." Most of
   you know I've been watching 281 much more closely. To be honest, I
   thought maybe Osseo's Question 1 would pass since they had some
   success last year, and that the rest would fail given the economy.
   One never knows why, of course. Maybe the retirement of Disrict 281's
   Superintendent allowed some to forgive and forget whatever grudges
   they might have carried. But my best theory is that the 281 voters
   perceived that their Board is truly listening to them.
   A year ago, the Board suddenly had to make budget cuts in response to
   the 2007 levy failure. Initially, they were to close 3 buildings, then
   suddenly just 1 building. A couple of the Board members bravely
   observed that the District really didn't understand the situation.
   They had assumed that the referendum would pass like all those before.
   After a few noisy but civil public hearings, the Board listened and
   decided to wait at least a year on closing any building.
   In Osseo, however, the public was stunned to see suddenly see two
   schools closed and another "re-purposed." After all, it had passed one
   of the three referendums. But a consultant had been hired, made the
   recommendation, and the Board matter of factly, even coldly I would
   say, enacted it.
   Robbinsdale listened to the public this past year. Osseo did not. I
   think that was the difference.