Claire Freudenthal Horton wrote on Oct 1, 2007 8:30 PM:
" IOt is sad to think the newest of the grade schools way back when I was a grade school student is now gone. Lincoln School was a wonderful school. I remember Mrs. Kindt, our cook, Mr. Olaf our custodian and all the wonderful teachers. When I was in second grade, Miss Jeannie Reince was our teacher. She was also Miss Minnesota and our pictures were in the paper and we missed her when she was gone for the Miss America pagent. Mr. Beckman was our beloved principal and Mrs. Brown was our secretary.There was a penny candy store right on Sarnia Street where it was fun to stop by for Snirkles or Blackjack gum or Lick-M-Ade. Ah the buildings may fall but the memories live on........ "
To Things Are Good wrote on Sep 28, 2007 1:08 PM:
" Yes, things were so good that voters threw out Laber, Siderius and Brown. Things are so good that Durand & Co. keep telling us that enrollment is stabiliizing while in fact it continues to fall--and isn't that good when state aid to schools is based on enrollment figures? It's also good that the Durand regime continues to spend, spend, spend when the referendum funding won't last forever. It would be especially good if Durand could explain how this is sustainable. Or if he could explain how he's going to fund a million-dollar track. If you think things are good, read the comments from respondents to the community survey, especially the statements made about the "old" board and the superintendent. "
Things are good wrote on Sep 27, 2007 9:49 PM:
" The Lincoln moneypit is gone, the view of the bluffs is wonderful, the high school building was greatly improved, the elementary schools are great, the ALC kids have a real school building, and we have a high school principal with enough courage to show up for work and actually do things for students. I hope the community gives him backing to address the remaining problems of the chaperonistas and a dysfunctional pod of teachers' union leaders. "
What happened to the elevator wrote on Sep 26, 2007 7:25 PM:
" Not too many years ago, the board approved to have an elevator installed in the Lincoln building. What happened to that? Did this board allow that to just crumble like the rest of the heap. What a wasteful bunch of inconsiderate ME ME ME people! "
To Nonan wrote on Sep 26, 2007 1:03 PM:
" All the new board members are doing is putting in place things the previous board had already set in motion. So, by that token, if you like the job they are doing, then you liked the old board too. You just ended up believing the rhetoric from a rampaging union that does not like to be held accountable. "
Here's the reporting I'd like to see wrote on Sep 26, 2007 8:45 AM:
" I'd like a detailed account of the overall net cost of Lincoln relocation and of district spending since Durand got here--ballooning administrative costs, Madison-Maxwell partnership, huge increases in health-and-safety spending that requires no voter approval, legal fees for defending grievances. I'd like Durand to sit for an interview with a reporter (other than Cynthya Porter) and explain how this spending is sustainable when enrollment continues to decline (despite his claims that it's "stabilizing"). By the way--I see you offered no response to the posts about Lincoln being up to code, nor did you question the fcost igures listed. "
to: how about covering this wrote on Sep 26, 2007 8:01 AM:
" Was the correct question "will you be giving away free trips to chaperones?" or "will the students subsidize the cost of the chaperones?" or "will there be an unexplained $20,000 shortfall?"? None of these questions were posed because it was presumed that honesty and integrity would prevail. It hasn't, and no one has received so much as an apology. "
The "same crew"? How would you know? wrote on Sep 26, 2007 7:58 AM:
" I am one of the people who criticizes the WDN for not having enough news, and I have plenty of proof, there's a lot happening in this community that they don't cover. However, I cannot imagine how you would know that "...the same crew..." is now criticizing them for covering this story. I'm not doing so, and I am one of the people you just targeted. Please explain your method for arriving at your indictment of me and others. How did you come to the conclusion you did? "
nonan wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:16 PM:
" I just think that most of the school board blows, minus the 3 that were just elected "
Lonely Planet Tour Guide wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:28 PM:
" Don't worry teachers, nothing will ever get investigated. You'll have your cushy vacations paid by student fundraisers and get to keep your professional improvement dollars to go on new exotic vacations. It's okay. You'll get your raise, keep your tenure, you'll get new buildings, you can show movies all day in class, and still be martyrs. We'll buy chocolate and fried fish dinners just to keep you happy. Yes, we know you're all about the kids, movies, grade inflation and all. But could parents simply pay for the movies, so we can save a few dollars on subs to turn on the vcr? "
Holy Hot Dish wrote on Sep 25, 2007 8:54 PM:
" Boy does that sound like teacher union spin! Due diligence before the trip? The finance office trained Poland-gaters on receipts and balances. Poland-gaters came to tell the district it wouldn’t have to worry about the funds, and then the Poland-gaters hid until the plane left the airport. Did you expect the board to say “hey, is anyone planning to drive the choir fund $21 grand in the hole and then play duck, duck, goose to avoid responsibilty? If so, that would be bad.” Holy hot dish batman, I can just hear the “golden fleece award team” saying “dang it, we better not do that.” "
How about covering this? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:54 PM:
" Do those crying out for coverage of the Poland trip want to correct previous media reports that there'd be an outside audit of the trip--when there'll be no such thing? Do they want to ask Durand, Herold and Englich, who are making the biggest fuss about it, why they didn't demonstrate due diligence in asking the right questions BEFORE the fact? Or do they want Postian, Porterian coverage that points fingers at certain individuals and ignores the role others played? "
Do they really want news--or do they want whitewash? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:49 PM:
" So now the same crew that regularly criticizes the DN for not having enough news criticizes it because it covers an issue of public policy? Especially when it's one of the greatest financial boondoggles locally in recent memory? Does that crowd really wants more news--or does it want to shout down news that makes clear the financial folly of a board (and its hand-picked superintendent) that fell into such favor that three incumbents (Siderius, Brown and Laber) were humiliated in the last election? "
Up to code? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:31 PM:
" We heard that Lincoln needed to be brought up to code and that it would cost 2 million dollars.The fact is that if WSU wanted to use it for programming they would have had to make significant changes to the building. If the district had stayed in the building they would have needed a new roof, tuck pointing and a new boiler. All for a cost that was much cheaper than the cost to relocate programs.
Don't buy that "up to code" story. Ironically it was school board members with ties to WSU that always used that excuse. "
Good-bye to good sense wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:21 PM:
" A perfect--and pathetic--symbol of foolishness: Lincoln torn down, new ALC goes up. Lincoln proceeds were $700,000; Lincoln met code as used by WAPS; it needed a roof, tuckpointing and boiler--estimated cost $250,000-$350,000. WAPs spent $2.4 million relocating Lincoln programs, $2 million plus on the ALC. Lincoln had far more space than the ALC, was better built, and had ample parking on prime real estate. The ALC has no gym, devoured one of WAPS’ few remaining green spaces, and is a stone’s throw from an elementary school. Consider your taxes; under Durand, use of health and safety dollars has skyrocketed, giving us no say on spending. The new construction is happening as enrollment continues to decline. At precisely the time we need the best possible planning and stewardship of limited resources, Durand spends like there’s no tomorrow. Such policies cannot be sustained. "
To 11:26 AM wrote on Sep 25, 2007 5:18 PM:
" Granted, there was asbestos removal, demolition costs,etc.....but guess what...if the district kept AND UTILIED that building, there would NOT have been those costs. Those costs only came about because the building was torn down. The stupidest move any board ever made was to sell that building and turn around and laugh in the taxpayers face by spending 4 million to replace programs once housed in Lincoln. THIS MAKES ME SICK - SPECIAL THANKS TO NATALIE & SUSAN! "
maybe we should tear down the Wilkie too wrote on Sep 25, 2007 3:00 PM:
" just to be safe.. "
to fodder for Galewski wrote on Sep 25, 2007 2:42 PM:
" I'll take that $20 bet. Jim always tries to look to the positive. Once an issue is past, he never dredges up stupid insights and vengeful tabloid trash that speaks to the lowest common denominator. No he wouldn't do that. Poland-gate hits too close to home for him to write about, and even he can't find anything positive to write about. If it's too bad for Jim to write about, it really must be bad. Ok Poland-gaters, let the truth set you free! Do it for Jim! "
To: To the Truth wrote on Sep 25, 2007 2:35 PM:
" Teacher's have twice the education? I beg to differ. They may carry a Master's degree, but educated most are not. They do not use what they learned attaining their degrees in the classroom or administrating. They practice group- think and most have never been outside of the educational system to see the light of day. I used to be a teacher and left because of this. Not all are bad, but there are so many that spoil the bunch. As for the pay, it was adequate considering I had almost 4 months off a year! "
WHAT A SHAME! wrote on Sep 25, 2007 1:29 PM:
" I went to school there from kindergarten through 6th grade. I will always have fond memories of that school. I think it was a shame it got closed down, sold & now torn down. I remember walking from my home on Mill Street to that school every day. Well at least I'll have my memories of it. They can't take that away from me. "
Hahahahahahahah! You betcha. wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:36 PM:
" WAPS School Board Minutes 3 of 3 February 2, 2006
Concert Choir Trip
Peter Schleif presented the tentative schedule of events for 80 students. There will be no cost to the
district." "
Cronyism and no disclosure wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:25 PM:
" Differences between Poland trip and other district trips:
Chaperones were told they wouldn't be paying.
Parents, students, and community members that went and worked the fundraisers were not told the chaperones weren't paying.
Others offered to chaperone, pay expenses, and spoke Polish but were refused.
Schlief has yet to give a full accounting, or even an apology.
There was no criteria selection for chaperones or opportunity for others, only Schlief's hand picked choices. "
What wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:20 PM:
" Teachers make twice as much as the average Winonan??? How do you figure?? Teachers PAY to go to school and get their degrees. If you don't like it go to school yourself. If anything teachers are under paid. The problem with the school board is the management. Building a new ALC school??? Give me a break, if those kids can't go to regular school like everyone else SEND THEM ON THEIR WAY!!! "
The truth is what it is wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:19 PM:
" You completely missed the mark. The reference has nothing to do with their receiving pay for their education, it's about THE PUBLIC, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS PAYING FOR THEIR FREE TRIP. Now do you understand? I know many teachers and respect them, they and many in this community also do not condone what has been done by Schlief and his "gold star team." "
To the poster at 10:14 wrote on Sep 25, 2007 11:26 AM:
" If the property was worth soooo much more than $700K why did the district sell it so "cheap"? What did they have to gain by selling for sooo much less than it was worth. True, WSU paid $700K, but what do you think the demolition costs are? Asbestos abatement doesn't come cheap. Then, once the building is gone, you have the cost of developing the property. $700K is just to tip of the iceburg of what it will cost to do something meaningful with that space. If that wasn't the cast the district probably would have kept the property, or received more money for it.... "
To: The Truth wrote on Sep 25, 2007 11:17 AM:
" Please try to comprehend that even if teachers do earn twice the salary of the average Winonan as you claim (source for that, by the way?), they also have at least twice the education attainment of the average Winonan. You are welcome to go back to school, get a couple of college degrees, and join the club. "
Get real wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:54 AM:
" The land was assessed at $700K, that's what it was sold for because the building was a white elephant(and being torn down as a consequence). As for developers that would have paid more--where were they? Not one submitted a bid during the open public process.
To have a marketable piece of property, you have to have interest. You could try to sell your house for $1 million dollars, but unless someone wants it, you'll never get it. Look at the San Franciso townhouse developer, he thought he had a good thing and now he's stuck. Get real! "
The Truth wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:47 AM:
" I would like to know why the WDN continues to rehash old news and yet does nothing about the Poland fiasco. Especially since the choir students are now selling cookie dough to help cover the loss---or what I should say, COVER THE FREE TRIP FOR DISTRICT STAFF THAT MAKE MORE THAN TWICE THE WAGE OF THE AVERAGE WINONAN! The students, parents, and purchasers have not been provided the truth regarding this fundraiser from Schlief, what a surprise! If the chaperones had paid, there wouldn't be a deficit! "
To "A Servicable Building? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:14 AM:
" That may be true on some levels but, in the end, I think we can all agree that the district sold a prime piece of real estate for FAR under market value. That is one entire city block in a prime Winona district. You dont think a developer would have paid more? So...giant conspiracy or just the truth staring you straight in the eye? If you owned that property would you've sold it for 700k? "
to makes me sick wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:03 AM:
" you better be grateful to those college students. They are keeping this town alive for pete's sake. Where do you think they live and pay rent to-winona landlords, where do they buy food and daily necessities-winona stores, where do their parents stay when the visit or come watch their athelete play-winona hotels, where do they eat (and yes drink) winona establishments, yep those darn college kids such a pain but such an asset also. get over it. "
American Mutt wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:03 AM:
" Tell me why again did we sell this for such a low price, then turn around and rent it, and then again build a NEW teenage school in the playground of an elementary school yard? I am just curious. Why do we let this happen? Monetarily Speaking, this makes no sense. oh wait it doesn't make any sense anyways eh? "
fodder for Galewski wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:52 AM:
" 20 bucks says Jim will have this as the main topic of his next column "
To: make me sick wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:50 AM:
" Please explain how "The Town" had anything to do with it. The School District, not city hall, sold the property to WSU. I have another question for you. If WSU, St. Mary's, and SouthEast Tech all left town tomorrow do you really think Winona would be better off? "
Make me sick.. wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:34 AM:
" Once again, another thing the town is doing to accommodate "WSU" students, no one else. "
I want some news wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:11 AM:
" This is old stuff. What about Poland-gate that's happening right now? "
A Servicable Building? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:08 AM:
" Yeah, maybe. Or maybe it would cost more to bring it up to code than it was worth. Maybe that is why the district sold it. Oh, wait....that would make too much sense. It's much more likely that there is some giant conspiracy and some administrator is getting a bunch of money shoved in his back poket. "
EAP wrote on Sep 25, 2007 8:47 AM:
" This is sooooo sad. Lincoln was my grade school too and now all the memories are torn apart with the building. It's heartbreaking to drive by there! And, now WSU kids will be clogging off all avenues of town....nice. Sad story. "
Lincoln Building Dated and Ugly wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:06 AM:
" I know it wasn't that old, but the Lincoln building looked dated, and was actually not that nice to look at any more. Sure, it could have been remodeled inside and out, but there have been many changes to building code since Lincoln was built, and not every change for code would have been possible without huge expense. Exterior remodeling would have been a huge cost too. The interior was dark because the windows weren't well thought-out. This isn't ONLY about our "car society". "
The Donald wrote on Sep 25, 2007 6:11 AM:
" A servicable building. Shows how dedicated we are to the happy motoring lifestyle. However, while academic programs are important, what really makes or breaks an educational business is convenient, "cheap" parking. Kids gotta have their precious cars. "
What would $$3.7 million dollars have done for that building? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:56 AM:
" More horrendous fiscal irresponsibility on behalf of our elected (and hired) representatives... "
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