SandBoxBlogs: Eagle County Times "Belt Tightening – at our Eagle County School District?"

Did you know that you too can access the detailed summary of your school district's check register?

Don't know how to do that?  Email staff@eaglecountytimes.com and they will be glad to lend a hand.

Looks like the Eagle County School District admin didn't learn a thing over the past few years of deep budget cuts, does it? 

Posted by 'Weight Watchers':
"A quick sample from the School Districts – April 2012 – Check Register

Master Transaction Consolidation Debit Total USD  $78,381.67
Credit Total USD  -1,817.28
Total USD  $76,564.39

To review their entire Expense list – (Click Here)

District office Administration
4/25/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0025 ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Moe’s Original Bbq – E Purchase Moe’s Original Bbq – E $110.75

Preschool 5/1/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0302 HEADSTART/CPP Gourmet China Purchase Gourmet China $362.50
(let’s hope our Preschoolers got their Fortune Cookies!)

District office Administration 
4/3/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0294 HEADSTART/CPP Smiling Moose Deli Purchase Smiling Moose Deli $439.44

What is “Learning Services”?
4/10/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0175 LEARNING SERVICES Smiling Moose Deli Purchase Smiling Moose Deli $58.44
4/28/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0100 LEARNING SERVICES Southpark Wine & Seafood Purchase Southpark Wine & Seafood $32.00
4/29/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0100 LEARNING SERVICES Starbucks Corp00004747 Purchase Starbucks $11.60
4/27/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-0076 LEARNING SERVICES Starbucks Corp00066159 Purchase Starbucks $44.85

A “Special Hyatt/Marriott Rate” for Special Ed?
4/15/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-5630 SPECIAL EDUCATION Hyatt Hotels Denver Cc Lodging for CEC Conference in Denver Hyatt Hotels $717.00

4/13/2012 XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-5853 SPECIAL EDUCATION Marriott 33759 Denver Cc Lodging for CEC Conference in Denver parking WiFi  room tax Marriott $506.66...."
(Read more? Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Vail Daily News "School budget meeting draws hundreds"

It is not just where the cuts will be made that's bothering the Eagle County School District parents.

It is how their money is being spent.

Here are some reminders of posts and comments from last year's election cycle that are relevant:

• (Note the comments on this one):  SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "New charter school proposed for Glenwood Springs"

• The lack of accountability probably has not helped the parent's current mood either.

• And then there are the performance issues between public and private schools within the district.

(Read more?  Click title and links within post.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Charge tuition instead of raising taxes"

Vote NO on 3E.

"...How can this district ask its friends and neighbors to fork over money they don't have? Consider a lesson from the business world: Learn to do more with less.

If these parents are so concerned about the quality of education available to their children, here's a thought: Ask them to pay for it.

It's not a secret that the local school St. Stephen's, operated by the Catholic Church, offers a superior education to that offered by its public counterparts. Yes, St. Stephen's charges tuition.

It's no wonder that the interest in establishing charter schools is at an all-time high. Why not adopt the school district's policy in Douglas County whereby taxpayers were returned some of their property taxes in exchange for the parent's right to send their children to either public or charter schools?

And just a reminder to the average taxpayer: Wait until Obamacare kicks in, and we will be asked to relinquish even more...."
(Karen Foster)

(Learn more?  Click title and comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Colorado ranks 34th, not 49th, in school spending"

Was it something we said that finally got Marty Lich's Letter to the Editor posted in the PI?

"Having read the statement made by Mary Elizabeth and Chris Geiger in their Sept. 12 letter, “Colorado is currently 49th in state spending on public schools,” yet once again, I am compelled to say not so.

An Issue brief of December 2010 written by the Colorado Legislative Council states that Colorado ranks 34th in per pupil operating expenditures.

People can read it for themselves here: http://tinyurl.com /4xfoeku.

I am not sure who is perpetuating this misleading and untrue information, but it is wholly untrue and deceives voters.." (Marty Lich/Gypsum, Colorado)


(Learn more?  Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."