John E. Won't Read

Stardate Monday December 21, 2009
Salamander-in Chief John E. Whalen presiding.
John E Boy receives a written request from a community member -who is unable to appear before the board-- to read a very brief statement during the public comment section of the agenda.

Nothing groundbreaking here. Whalen has done this before. He has read lengthy prepared statements from community resident Monte Couch. Instead, last nite, Whalen used some sort of self-bestowed executive privilege to summarize this community resident';s comments into a very succinct sentence:

"Mr. Mealy has submitted a letter....I won't read it....but basically Mr. Mealy believes that too many PCs are being purchased for the new high school."

Very nice, John E Boy! Very succinct. But we wonder why you refused to read the actual message...as you have done previously. It wouldn't be something so petty as retaliation because SP-EYE has not exactly painted you in a positive light...hmmm?

Or was it maybe that the message made a little too much sense and exposed the district and school board for simply spending taxpayers money too freely After all, Mr. Frei pointed out that, "If we don't spend referendum money within 6 months of project completion , then we have to return any leftover funds to the taxpayers. GASP! We wouldn't want to do that, would we.

So you folks decide...where was the harm in John E Boy reading the following?


Dear School Board Members:
I am asking that you seriously re-consider the purchase of 1375 computers for the new high school and UMS. I understand that 275 of these are ear-marked for the UMS, leaving 1100 PCs for the new high school.

Please do a little math.

There are approximately 100 classrooms in the new high school.

1 PC in each brings the tally down to 1000 PCs.

Let's reserve 100 PCs for administrative staff...which is a pretty generous tally.

That leaves us with 900 PCs.

Sources tell me there are 3 computer labs in the existing high school, each with about 30 PCs.

Let's say 100 PCs per 3 computer labs.
Even if we double the number of computer labs to 6, that only requires 200 PCs
...leaving us with 700 PCs for which a home is needed.

That's a lot of UNDESIGNATED PCs.
I'd also bring your attention to the fact that we are building a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center.
Every PAC requires at least one major piece of equipment--a grand piano.

But we didn't allocate any referendum money to purchase a grand piano.

Instead, the Bernie Powers Band Foundation is forced to raise money through private donations to purchase a piano.

And that doesn't seem right.

Yes, technology is important, but I think the school board should make a compromise and reduce the number of PCs purchased by the amount needed to purchase the Steinway D grand piano being sought.

A little math says that about 250-300 less PCs would free up funds to purchase the piano. By all means, if the BPBF wishes to raise money to secure long-term piano maintenance funding, that's a more tangible --and equitable--goal.

Can you create a holiday miracle that provides ALL students with the tools they need?

It means purchasing 800 PCs instead of 1100, and we can't even identify homes for more than 400.

It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a school board to make the appropriate decisions.

Thank you.

Rick Mealy
Sun Prairie

Band boosters take note. You folks deserve to have a grand piano for the Performing Arts Center, and you shouldn't have to raise money for it independently. We can have PLENTY of technology AND a grand piano. But you'll need to call or write school board members.

Interestingly enough, this item got tabled at last night's meeting. The amount of PCs to purchase has been sent back to FTT for "re-tweaking" based on a motion by Al Slane. Hmmm. You smell that? What's Slane got cooking?