Board of Supervisors Talk Wise County Schools Again

[R0cketer]

What makes it so tough now is the talk has went on for so long, nobody knows what to believe or who to believe.

Look at it this way, how many of us have gotten email forwards from good people, honest people, who thought or was made to believe that something was true.

Most people have heard too many 'reliable' sources now, and from both sides that nobody is really sure what it truth, what is lies, what is in between and there is a lot of apathy because the whole thing has dragged on so long.

It really is a tough and crappy situation, because nobody wants to be the bad guy, or risk just screwing up.

Something has to be done, but then you hear some of the members of the boards speaking, you can tell that some of them don't want to do anything or want someone else to make the decision for them. I have little doubt that most would love to put it to a public vote so they could wash their hands of it. Thankfully that doesn't happen, can you imagine the newspaper if that was to happen. Some of the folks who can't afford another dime to do to any new school, would have an unlimited budget to fill the paper with advertisements.

It's really sad. You watch meetings and hear something, and you can wait 10 minutes and hear someone totally saying something else, questioning them, giving their 'facts', and on and on it goes.

I guess I'm of the mind that if it could go to a public vote, and depending on if they really put facts out there and didn't let the 4-5 that show up at every meeting and almost quote each others comments as facts rule the land, people would actually go for it. It really depends on how much information can be provided and if they can counter the disinformation.

Is it best? Thats the magic question and unfortunately, nobody can guarantee that. The thing I think most people know is that logically it has to change. You can't justify the cost of 6 schools with the population you have. That's the bottom line. Now is putting everybody into 3 old ones, building 1, 2, 3 new ones or whatever the best option. Who knows, all that anybody who can look at it remotely objective can tell you is things can not stay the same. Yes the buildings themselves probably could have been made to last longer, and probably could still be made serviceable for a few more years, but the pure costs to operate 6 separate schools is too great now. They could have took better care of the buildings in the past, part of why they probably didn't was robbing Peter to pay Paul. They sacrificed building upkeep to keep buildings but now you're at a point where that isn't even feasible now.

There is, at least in my view, a general idea that they can make it work another year or maybe even 2. In some form, shape, way or manner, but if you don't prepare for the future at some point, it will show up and smack you upside the head. Those who work, especially you with benefits, do you have any money for retirement or do you just keep going and hope that it all works out and is fine? The system has basically done that, they haven't prepared, and now they can see whats coming at them and coming at them very quickly. Question is, figuring out how to prevent it from being a bigger disaster or culture shock that its gonna be.

[VHSLhelper]

Let me throw out a brand new idea (I think), based on something being done in NC.

In NC, if I got this right, a county is growing really fast. They have an old HS, a newer HS, and a being-built HS.
When BBHS is done, NHS will move in. OHS will be closed for a year to remodel and the school will move into the now-empty NHS building. A year later, the OHS kids will return to the updated OHS building, and the now-empty NHS will be a middle school.

So... could we built 1 new HS for, say, Pound and Kelly, then move PVHS to Wise for a year so the building/campus in BSG could be renovated and expanded? When done, it could house PV & Appy. (I don't know what to do about Coeburn and St. Paul, since I don't know many kids the Kelly bldg. can hold. Maybe someone can suggest something.)

Could something like this work?

[retiredteach]

More interesting thoughts. Thanks.

[Saluki86]

But what will we do with all the 1000 point basketballs? That is the greatest concern for most of the rednecks from Pound and Appy. Let's have progress and get busy building new schools. Give the stupid trophys and basketball to whoever wants them.:flagwaver:

[sup-rbeast]

I have little doubt that most would love to put it to a public vote so they could wash their hands of it. Thankfully that doesn't happen, can you imagine the newspaper if that was to happen. Some of the folks who can't afford another dime to do to any new school, would have an unlimited budget to fill the paper with advertisements.

I guess I'm of the mind that if it could go to a public vote, and depending on if they really put facts out there and didn't let the 4-5 that show up at every meeting and almost quote each others comments as facts rule the land, people would actually go for it. It really depends on how much information can be provided and if they can counter the disinformation.

Is it best? Thats the magic question and unfortunately, nobody can guarantee that.

In this country we elect one man to the highest office in the land....it's a democracy. On the list of important things we put to a vote in this country, a community voting on whether or not to consolidate their schools ranks really low on that list of importance. Sure, the people should choose their own fate. Like I said earlier, attach a true price tag for each and assign a share based on income to each taxpayer for each proposition based on those prices and let 'em choose. The people should know where their money is going and what it is going towards. The "each taxpayer can't afford it" argument is BS...cuz either way each taxpayer is going to have to afford it. That's exactly why the decision should be made by the taxpayers and not a handful of elected officials (who have a stake in their vote come election time) or the school system (who wants a pie in the sky at an unaffordable price). There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument...but the time has passed for debate and studies and all that other garbage. Each side has made their points....now it's time to let the people decide.

[Counts]

In this country we elect one man to the highest office in the land....it's a democracy. On the list of important things we put to a vote in this country, a community voting on whether or not to consolidate their schools ranks really low on that list of importance. Sure, the people should choose their own fate. Like I said earlier, attach a true price tag for each and assign a share based on income to each taxpayer for each proposition based on those prices and let 'em choose. The people should know where their money is going and what it is going towards. The "each taxpayer can't afford it" argument is BS...cuz either way each taxpayer is going to have to afford it. That's exactly why the decision should be made by the taxpayers and not a handful of elected officials (who have a stake in their vote come election time) or the school system (who wants a pie in the sky at an unaffordable price). There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument...but the time has passed for debate and studies and all that other garbage. Each side has made their points....now it's time to let the people decide.

So is it legal? If it violates state law then it can't happen.....I think you could have a non binding resolution to get a more true gadge of what people want to do but to me this just seems like the latest stalling tatic to put off doing anything for another year

[Counts]

Here is a link that MAY help with some of the Legal questions (Not had time to go over it myself at this point)

Virginia Title 22.1 — EDUCATION. - Virginia Code - Virginia Law - Virginia Statutes :: Justia

[sup-rbeast]

Anything they want to get a vote on, they can find a way to get it done...and now is the time for less procrastination and more action. There is nothing that says that anything can't be put on the ballot to ask the people if their will is to pursue consolidation or pursue action to renovate and keep the existing school...and there is nothing illegal about informing the voters what their cost would be for each. Those are just questions...after that at least, the county would know where the will of the people lies.
As far as the local ability to tax to operate a school division, here is the law:


� 22.1-95. Duty to levy school tax.

Each county, city and town is authorized, directed and required to raise money by a tax on all property subject to local taxation at such rate as will insure a sum which, together with other available funds, will provide that portion of the cost apportioned to such county, city or town by law for maintaining an educational program meeting the standards of quality for the several school divisions prescribed as provided by law.

(Code 1950, � 22-126.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 162; 1980, c. 559.)



Looks to me like the question could be proposed as a tax question. For example, pose the question under the guise of "Would you rather pay this amount of tax and pursue consolidation, or would you rather pay this amount of tax to pursue renovation ?" That would be legit.