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Post by route 60 sign on Oct 4, 2009 19:14:46 GMT -5
It is funny that the joint vocational school is trying to renew a levy and likes the line this is not a new tax. It was not all that long ago that the school successfully asked for a new levy and got it. Right after the new levy was passed construction started and a new lighted sign went up out by the road. It is so nice now that I can drive by and can tell what time and temperature it is; especially considering that the project cost over $37k. The money was funded from adult ed, donation (1,000), and straight taxpayers money. I guess the adminstrators were wasting too much time changing the old sign, or maybe having to leave the building was too much. It does make you wonder what other wasteful projects were done and if they really need a renewal? It is very difficult to know where the money goes unless you are personal with the situation. I know how I am going to vote come Nov!
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Post by gunny on Oct 4, 2009 19:50:28 GMT -5
WOW! I was not aware of this cost. I think possibly the Superintendent should come on here and explain this. It was my understanding the new sign could be a great communication tool with the public and that is why it was constructed - parent teacher conferences, open house, sophomore visitation, Cosmetology services and the hours of the student restaurant and when they were open to the public. However, it appears it has not been kept up to date as much as it was supposed to be up to date. I thank you for the post! If this is correct, I am sure the employees never knew this cost - except the few who paid the bills.
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Post by gunny on Oct 5, 2009 20:01:05 GMT -5
A friend of mine will make a request for the records that show what was paid and when we receive them, they will be put up for all to see. It appears there is quite a bit more to this.
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Post by Route 60 sign on Oct 19, 2009 19:16:26 GMT -5
How is this coming?
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Post by estherlike on Oct 19, 2009 19:31:15 GMT -5
Still waiting, is on the schedule to check on tomorrow. Will update then. It should be interesting.
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Post by gunny on Oct 20, 2009 18:17:49 GMT -5
I had a meeting with the Superintendent of the Ashland County – West Holmes Career Center when this was first posted.. I apologize for not posting sooner but work and family obligations kept me from this appointed round. Here is what I found out:
1. This project was two years in the making before it came to being. It came out of necessity and comments by community leaders – Business and Industry Council for one group. You may recall that the old sign was one where plastic lettering was placed on it one letter at a time and the space was limited and the lettering was hard to see from the road. Toward the end the plastic covering broke due to weathering and it took two people to change the sign. In the dead of winter, it was not changed too often. Several community people mentioned how it was hard to read from the road and many times people who were not familiar with the Career Center would drive right on by it.
2. Technology had improved to the point where people felt that a programmable sign was needed and in the long run would pay for itself in the benefit to the community. This is evidenced now with all the information that is programmed onto this sign, as important information is needed to get out to the public in a timely manner and not just things like time and temperature.
3. It did cost $37,000 but was not paid for with operating money but rather permanent improvement money. One half of the money came from the Adult Education Department that is self sufficient and receives its money by tuition and providing services that can to charged to individuals. Also a private donation of $1000.00 was given. There is money set aside that must be used to market the school system to the community and this money made up the rest of the cost.
This was the Maintenance Supervisor's project and he spent many hours looking into every possible angle and it came to fruition a short time before he passed on. Since then there has been a learning curve by others to how to best utilize this. I hope this answers your question and once again, I apologize for dropping the ball on this one.
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Post by route 60 sign on Oct 23, 2009 20:45:05 GMT -5
I disagree with any justification that the money came from permanent improvement and that makes it any different than the general fund. It is still taxpayers money and my money that they are asking to maintain. I can understand the school wanting to get messages out to the community and I cannot say if there was a cheaper way other than fixing the weathered sign as I have never tried to quote a project such as a sign. The other side is that if the adult ed is bringing in that much money then why not give taxpayers a break and not ask for renewals or new levies? Not trying to be rude at all but if the local business and community people want to see a better sign maybe instead of spending taxpayers money they could have started a fund and contributed more. In the whole scheme of things this is a small dollar amount and obviously it is done so nothing can be changed. There are many things that would be nice to have and many things we do not need. Thanks for looking into this, I had brought it up but had only requested dollar amounts and had no history behind it.
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Post by gunny on Oct 24, 2009 13:55:45 GMT -5
Guest,
You are welcome and your question needed answered. Then I read your last posts and it brought to mind questions of my own. The first one being: has anyone, I haven't, ever asked about the things they have done that actually saved taxpayer money? That could be asked of any school district. I remember reading or hearing on the radio about grants and such that were to save money on utilities with better weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling systems.
I also forgot to mention that the business community was working on donating when the whole banking industry began to unravel and the rest is history.
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