Oh, my GOODNESS! I certainly did get the flyer mentioned in my mail today...
I bet the group whose donations paid for this little mailer are quite proud of the proofreading job done before it was mailed. One can only guess at the cost of printing and postage.
As a taxpayer and registered voter, this makes me even more pleased that I voted NO. Such a glaring oversight only amplifies a desperate avarice to pass a bond that is the WRONG package for our community. My negative vote was against THIS bond, not against the children in the district.
When a reasonable bond is presented that offers choices to taxpayers, I will consider voting in the affirmative.
How many of you received a "Help Beaumont Grow" flyer today? Quote ..."The BISD Board of Trustees 'Anonymously' approved and called this bond election..."
Wow, that pretty much says it all, doesn't it.... another $45,000 spent well for the City of Beaumont. Vote no, please.
I really don't blame them for wanting to remain anonymous!!
I can assure you many teachers will vote against the bond, as it is now, because they desire a less flawed presentation. These are persons who have worked many years for Beaumont's young people, and have worn out many pairs of shoes doing just that!
We can do this in a responsible manner, without uncertainty, or obvious waste, but to do that, we must all demonstrate the patience of a TEACHER.... Small steps will result in great gains, eventually.
Vote NO for the bond prosposal in May!!!! ( That will be the one that all the negative naysayers in Beaumont come up with!)The citizens of Beaumont will get what they deserve-NOTHING! I am glad my future grandchildren will not be raised in this unprogressive, negative city.
Most people who are so outspoken have not been in a school or walked in a teacher's shoes. I hope the bond passes but fear it will not.
As regards to the Michael Getz response aforementioned, do you believe everything in it? I do not! I have done my homework.
FYI- THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMAIL THAT IS FLOATING AROUND ON THE FORWARDED MESSAGES BOAT.
1. There are only 3 schools in BISD that received a rating of EXEMPLARY in 2006. They were Dunbar, French and Price. Under this bond proposal, BISD would close each of these schools and consolidate it with another one. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?
2. The chief reason that the CABC is giving for needing to pass this bond proposal is because most of the schools in BISD are over 50 years old. Guess what?? In the PNG school district, the last elementary school built in Port Neches was Ridgewood Elementary in 1958. The high school and middle schools are even older. In Nederland, students still proudly attend Langham Elementary which was built in the 1920s. THE ISSUE IS NOT THE AGE OF THE BUILDING, IT IS WHETHER THEY ARE BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED. Sadly, despite an
annual budget of over 150 million dollars, BISD would rather spend their money on the most highly compensated superintendent for a district this size in the state and to create a BISD police force.
3. The Examiner characterized BISD schools as dilapidated in an article last week in endorsing the bond issue. It showed a picture of an unidentified room that had some ceiling tiles missing. Is it more cost efficient to replace the ceiling tiles or to
raze the school and build a new one? There have been unsubstantiated reports of some schools having mice or other rodents. Has anyone heard of calling for an exterminator? Any building will fall into disrepair if it is not properly maintained.
INSIST THAT YOU BE GIVEN SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF WHAT IT IS ABOUT A BUILDING THAT CAUSES IT TO BE LABELED DILAPIDATED AND WHY IT HAS TO BE RAZED AND REBUILT FROM THE GROUND UP INSTEAD OF REPAIRED AND MAINTAINED IN THE FUTURE.
4. South Park Middle School will be rebuilt at another location. Really, why? I went to this campus and toured it two weeks ago. The building is built like a fort. Even the 3D/I report admitted that the building was structurally sound. So why tear it down? The reason, we suspect, is because CABC co-chair Paul Brown views this structure as a reminder of a by-gone era of segregation when South Park ISD was wealthy and Beaumont ISD was struggling. Even though the school districts merged decades ago, we are told that Paul Brown will not rest until the centerpiece of what was South Park ISD is demolished. Is that a good reason to spend 28 million dollars on a new building?
5. Dr. David Teuscher and the CABC pledge to oversee how the BISD implements the bond funds, should it pass. The truth is, if this bond were to pass, only the school board has the lawful authority to decide how the money is spent. Oversight by an outside third party might sound good in principle, but it is nothing but smoke and mirrors. Furthermore, Dr. David Teuscher is on record as saying that Parsons/3DI would not be selected to be the project manager because of the numerous inaccuracies, mistakes and erroneous information that they generated in their assessment of school district facilities, and yet, who does the board select to be project manager, yep, Parsons/3DI at a cost of NINE MILLION DOLLARS!!
This just shows that once the school board gets its hands on your tax dollars, WATCH OUT -- they can implement the schedule of construction of the improvements in any manner they like and what do you think will be the first thing built???????
6. THE NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM AND SWIMMING POOL AT A COST OF, WHO KNOWS?? Never mind the fact that we need a new elementary school in Northwest Beaumont, where homes are being built like crazy starting at $200,000. There are no plans to build a school there, but to buy some land for the future. The projected cost for the stadium and natatorium is 30 million dollars. THERE IS NO WAY that the proposed stadium and natatorium can be built for 30 million dollars. It will cost in excess of 50 million dollars. In 2001, at Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, a natatorium similar to the one planned for BISD was built at a cost of $15.5 MILLION DOLLARS. (We got this number from the office of George Torres, Deputy Superintendent) That was just for the natatorium! Furthermore, it costs $15,000.00 a month just for the utilities to run the facility. (Can anyone say FORD PARK?) And for those who say that the swimming pool would benefit the whole community, we say FAT CHANCE. You cant even get BISD to turn the lights on at night so you can use the tennis courts at the high school. You really think they are going to let you in the pool??? And for those who say that a new stadium will attract UIL play-off games, how many teams from the Houston area do you think will come to Beaumont when they can play in Reliant Stadium, Rice Stadium or the facility at Galena Park ISD? And finally, BISD admits that they will continue to use Durley and Zaharias stadiums for junior varsity and sophomore games, which means they will have to pay to water, fertilize and cut the grass and turn the lights on and otherwise maintain the stadiums. There will be no substantial cost savings but what the heck, we will have a video score board that can show instant replay.
7. Regina Howell Elementary will be rebuilt on 15 acres. Really? Where? Does it not make more sense to secure purchase of the land before promising a new school? Dr. David Teuscher admitted that one of the sites being considered was at ROGERS PARK!!! That is totally absurd thinking. The City of Beaumont owns Rogers Park and BISD cannot simply annex the land for the use of a school. And even if the City of Beaumont wanted to sell the land to BISD, it could not do so without a mandate from the voters. Any attempt to convert the use of a city park to some other function must be voted on by the citizens of Beaumont. Subsequently, City Manager Kyle Hayes confirmed that Rogers Park was not available to be used as a site for relocating Regina Howell and yet the school board still refuses to reveal what other 15 acre site is being considered! And what about Regina Howell, other than the portable buildings, is in such disrepair that a new school needs to be built?
8. Remember the last bond election in 1994 of 54 million dollars? BISD promised to
rebuild Amelia Elementary with the proceeds of that money. Did it happen? NO! BISD promised to build a new wing at Fletcher Elementary School to relive overcrowding. Did it happen? NO! Furthermore, the true cost of that bond election turned out to be more like 70 million dollars when interest was calculated on the money that was borrowed and the true cost of this bond election is going to be more like 840 million dollars when you calculate interest.
9. Dr. David Teuscher is fond of saying that taxes for the senior citizens will not increase. He is partly right. The tax rate on a senior citizens homestead will not be affected. However, if the senior citizen owns rental property, WATCH OUT. Rental property is NOT EXEMPT from the tax rate increase for seniors or anyone else. Also, we all know that our tax appraisals on our homes are going up at 10 to 15 percent a year so do not think for a second that senior citizens are immune from paying higher taxes.
10. The rezoning of attendance boundaries should not be tied to the bond issue. BISD has made a pledge to Beaumont citizens that if the bond issue passes, Roy Guess Elementary and Homer Drive Elementary students will be re-zoned to go to Austin Middle School and Austin Middle School will be rezoned to go to West Brook High School. Local Realtors have said that development of Northwest Beaumont has been impeded because currently residents have their children zoned to go to Central High School and that re-zoning so that their children would attend West Brook would be the number one thing that could happen to spur growth in Northwest Beaumont. One of the CABCs primary objectives was to attract new residents with modern educational facilities. So if a simple re-zoning can accomplish this, why is it tied to the bond issue? And why is there no elementary school planned for Northwest Beaumont? The answer: BLACKMAIL AND EXTORTION. There is no justifiable reason to fail to rezone these attendance boundaries so that people living in those neighborhoods can have their children go to West Brook High School instead of Central. West Brook is closer to the neighborhoods of Northwest Beaumont and has superior objective academic performance, as demonstrated by TAAS scores.
SO WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Vote NO against this bond issue and insist that the school board come back with a new proposal that is more narrowly defined and created specific, identifiable projects to be funded with the first mandate being to get rid of all the portable buildings at every campus in Beaumont. Than can be accomplished in many instances simply by adding a new wing to some of the existing structures, it is not necessary to start from the ground up and build a whole new school.
Insist that BISD begin a program to maintain your schools.
Beaumont, don't spend a dime on new facilities until we've removed this board with the mandate to then fire the superintendent. We can all agree on 90% of the bond issue, but the stubborness of Dr Thomas, thus the Board, MAY cause it not to pass. If it does pass, it will be a very close vote. Had they separated the items, the only debate would be the stadium, and all the other really needed and universally agreed upon items could be approved and begun.
One has to wonder how a school district can continue to get such wonderful financial recognition from the state but has to use maintenance dollars for salaries, etc.. One technique is simple...they don't pay their bills in a timely fashion or at all. I have first hand experience and know of others who are owed money for services/materials by the BISD and have to wait a very long time to be paid. Somebody in the Bus. Office loses or misplaces requests to pay a company, sometimes more than once until the budget is frozen for the school year. When the following year's budget comes out for the program (let's say Basket Weaving at Vincent) BISD has reduced the budget by the amount that is still owed a company or individual. They finally pay the previous year's outstanding bill out of the current year's budget....so if the the bill was $500, BISD has essentially reduced that budget by $1,000. Just by "misplacing paperwork." And the Basket Weaving teacher wonders what happened. As a result the BW program at Vincent goes to heck, but the financial savings of the district look GREAT. I am not making this up, it happens all of the time.
In the last few days, Naomi Lawrence-Lee, who lost her $70,000 a year job from the county, for using county copy machines for $300 worth of copies for her husband's construction company, was being considered for the purchasing agent for the BISD. Of course, Thomas, when discovered, said she was not being considered anymore. Watch out he may sneak her in to do his bidding later..Just another Einstien in the Admin building of BISD; Yikes!
Citizens of Beaumont, it's a sad situation when these sorts of thing are happening with your money. So we should be patient, vote NO, get new leadership, and then pass a much needed bond issue (maybe even a stadium if it's last on the list where it belongs) when we have leadership we can trust. Please don't be rushed into giving 388 Million to these crooks. It's more than a 10% issue; the children are worth having the money spent well.
As regards to Beaumont ISD being a failure please tell me one school that was low performing? You are insulting the hard working teachers of Beaumont when you make statements like that. I would like to see you do a better job!
The chamber of commerce mistakenly thinks they can spend themselves into prosperity.
Public education is the indeed the only industry where failure is rewarded with more spending.
Beaumont ISD's student population continues to decline as parents are leaving the system and availing themselves of private schools,free Charter schools and Home schooling. And yes, many just move to Lumberton.
In regards to Amelia Elementary, I would love to know what was done to improve that place? A majority of Amelia has black mold. No auditorium to use. The parking lots are a disgrace. Holes in the parking lots. Nothing has improved that school. The portables are pitiful.
But of course, sports are top priority than anything else in this district.It would be too much to ask to give these teachers updated equipment and new facilties to help them improve the learning environment for the children......
Stop by your child's school, visit one of their teachers, and ask them how much of their own money they pay out of pocket yearly for their classroom supplies? You'd be surprised....
While I wholeheartedly hope that the bond will pass I fear that it will not. No one in Beaumont is willing to change. The school board is often brought up. Do we want to return to the days where the board got in heated, unproductive arguments? The same whiny people who complain about the board should be the first ones to sign up to run in May. While you may not agree with anything they say, you are the ones who allowed them to be elected.
I have given all of my adult life teaching school. I am proud of what I do even though it is hard to defend all the negativity we encounter every day. I do it for the children. Someone mentioned we should teach them manners. Many of today's children are unruly. Obviously no one is teaching them respect and manners at home. We are nurse, counselor, disciplinarian, mediator, provider and teacher. We give our time and money to help children who need things. I feel it is time for Beaumont to give back. When the issue of trust is brought up I don't trust most of the citizens of Beaumont to do what is right for the city and our children.
Sorry jd, you seem to be ignorant of the facts. Have you forgotten about the much needed (actually of educational value) auditorium which was promised to West Brook?
And what growth at Ozen are you talking about...their enrollment is down. Thank goodness Dr Thomas saw fit to spend 18 Million of the 54 mil on a facade and a new admin annex. For about the same price Silsbee managed to build a new High School WITH STADIUM during that same time period. By the way, to date BISD has spent about 30 Mil on Ozen and it's slated for more improvements in the new bond. Your and my tax dollars at work.
What work was done at Amelia??? Please inform.
It's easy to see that they can't be trusted, so I'll wait until the bond issue has better priorities....A football stadium is only one segment of the city's wishes Oh by the way those other stadiums aren't going to go away. Not to mention all the expense of busing teams, aux groups, bands, etc. to a "home" game. Don't buy the inflation trick...if all is built in 3-4 years, the savings are minimal. So there is an agenda.
While I do think our students need some better schools, I'm not willing to accept a poorly done bond issue, full of pork and a few people's "Wants" I'll wait to vote yes when the folks who pay 75% of the taxes (excluding corps, obviously) get at least 50% of the input. You know, the 'beholden' ones.
What a teacher drives to school has nothing to do with the bond issue. There are teachers in my family who drive Ford Expeditions. Not for prestige, but for safety on the roads they must travel on, and carry all the supplies they buy out of their own pockets, so the kids in their classrooms have some extra's to help them learn. This bond issue will not pass as it stands now. If you do not think what BISD wants, you are out of line. Wake up, Thomas, you cannot win this one the way it is. Cut out the fat! You are getting to be just like Washington. You want us to pay for all the frills. Get those architects to design streamlined buildings, with indestructible walls and bathrooms. There are many more kids who like to destroy property now, than there was 30 years ago. The most ridiculous thing in the bond is the athletic complex. A swimming pool to spread more MRSA??? And all the other mutating germs?? We need streamlined gyms with stae of the art sanitation. We are living in a time, when we cannot waste our money! Give us safe schools, and teach the kids manners and respect for other people and their property. I will vote for a bond issue, but only after it meets my criteria. Leave out the swimming pool.
Oh, now I get it. A principal or a teacher who has devoted all of their adult life should ride a bicycle to school and give up their salary to build new schools? Most principals and teachers give a great deal monetarily, physically, intellectually and emotionally to their students. For you to use the argument that the principal drives a nice vehicle is ignorant. Perhaps her husband has a good job or she has saved for a long time to get this vehicle. District salaries have nothing to do with the bond. It is all about the students and the future of Beaumont.
This whole bond thing has me confused. The principal of Regina Howell drives a brand new shiny red Land Rover, a truck that has a value well over 60 thousand dollars, yet my son goes to classes in a trailer park that heats up in the summer and gets overly cold in the winter. Some buildings leak, some trailers have drafts going through them. Where exactly is this money going to go? Where has all the previous money went? Didn't the superintendent get a massive raise not too long ago? Who pays for that?
Look, I want my son's school to be fixed. I read in that proposal that they plan to build Regina Howell at a new site. Which is good because the traffic around the school is awful. (Some parents need to be educated about "Right of way") I want all these schools to be repaired or rebuilt as planned, our children deserve the best and to not be forgotten in a trailer park that is not conducive to an education environment. Sure, lets see how much education you receive when you can't concentrate on the lessons because you're too hot or too cold, or you're soaking wet from the rain because your classes are outside the main building.
I just want to know the money will be spent in a good way. That BISD will stick to the plan and rebuild the schools, not give huge raises to themselves so they can drive up their crapped out - falling apart school - in their shiny new luxury SUV.
First, I want to ask a few questions. How many of the people who are griping about this bond proposal actually went to school in BISD? Second, How many of you were here and ACTUALLY paid taxes in 1994 when the last bond proposal passed? And finally, how many of you would let your kids attend a daycare that had holes in the wall, buckling floors, cramped conditions and mold growing in the building?
Now, for those of you that have questions about the 1994 bond issue, let me point something out. According to information from The Beaumont Enterprise in 1994 BISD promised additional classrooms and renovations to the following schools: Amelia, Bingman, Blanchette, Caldwood, Curtis, Dunbar, Fehl, Field, Fletcher, French, Guess, Lucas, Martin, Ogden, Regina, Austin, Bowie, Marshall, Odom, South Park, Vincent, Central 9th, West Brook 9th, Central Sr. and Southerland. BISD also promised news schools for the Willow Creek area (Dishman Elementary), Pietsch and MacArthur (the new Pietsch-MacArthur Middle School) and a new school for Crockett (Martin Luther King Middle School). Now, anyone who says that BISd has not done what it promised is lying or simply ignorant of the facts. BISD consolidated some schools to save money and created a third high school to handle growth with the creation of Ozen High School.
The real problem here is not that BISD didn't do what it said it would do, it is that whites think BISD should be beholden to them because of the history of South Park. My family went to South Park and I attended West Brook. I am white and what the white in this town are doing is killing Beaumont's future.
This district needs repairs. It is old. The children here, yours and mine, attend crappy schools. It is time to stop being stingy and worrying about whether or not you can afford a freaking Big Mac or not and start investing in the education of the children in BISD. I don't care whether they are black, white, Asian, Hispanic or any other color. You know what? They are children and they deserve to have the best schools possible. If you don't think BISD has a problem then just take a day off work and go to school with your children for one day. See what they have to deal with and then decide if you would be willing to tolerate the same conditions. You know what, you wouldn't but the children don't have a choice. They are counting on you to make that choice for them. For their sakes, please don't let them down again.
Beaumont will never be united. It is a backward, negative community. There will always be opposing sides and we will never move forward. I agree. Let South Park stay as it is, the Alamo of Beaumont!!! Also, let Amelia stay as it is also because it has a history. Why don't we return to Little House on the Prairie one room schoolhouses, I liked the history in those books! I just loved Half Pint!
No one was suggesting that South Park be torn down, but built on a new site.
When I read today's Enterprise (Proposal Opposition), my first reaction was "unbelievable," then I considered BISD's past record , and thought "typical." Thomas was quoted as knowing nothing about it...if that's true, he should be fired, and if that's not true, he should be fired.
Here we go again. Rather than accepting other people's (tax payers) right to assemble and voice their opinions, suddenly the opposition is shut out of a school which they own. What's worse is Thomas uses Terry Ingram to do his dirty work for him. Shame on him. And shame on every board member who has allowed this Bully to use this tactic once again.
Even someone who supports the Bond can see how ridiculously unfair this situation is. Has anyone considered that some citizens wanted to attend both meetings to become informed about both sides of the issue? But Dr. Mussolini put an end to that. Are we the only school district in which the Superintendent makes all the decisions and the board just does what it's told... I thought it was suppose to work the other way around. You know, Democracy!!
Finally, why are items promised from the 54 Million $ Bond (mid 90's) such as auditoriums at high schools (actually of educational value) listed last in the order of construction? Silly question...higher level thinking (Fine Arts) can't compare to the importance of a mega stadium in respect to TAKS scores.
I would have expressed that opinion, but Lance Fox told me I could not. This sounds like something for the Justice Department to investigate...
There are no published studies that show that new buildings produce better academics. Houston ISD is currently trying to pass a $1/2 billion bond also. They have 200,000 kids we have 18,000.
Houston's minority communities are not supporting it because existing new buildings in their neighboorhoods are still failing kids. Beaumont's three highest ranked schools are all slated for replacement. Three of BISD's newest schools,Ozen,MLK and Peitzch McArthur are among the lowest rated academically.
This bond issue needs to fail and then maybe start again with a smaller program and maybe rebuild some trust.
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Anonymous
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IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE BISD BOARD IS UNAWARE THAT COMMON SENSE IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION?
Don't build more buildings and refuse to take care of them too. Try a new approach......maintain what's already built and even survived hurricane Rita.
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Anonymous
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A 'new' school that doesn't respect history is not a school. It's a new building. Nothing more.
Yes, a bond issue should be about our kids, moving the whole city forward, and not old hatreds from 25 years ago. But a least one writer makes a valid point. Why would the BISD consider tearing down old South Park when most of the building is considered "structurally sound" unless someone(Paul Brown) has a hidden agenda? We have many schools in Beaumont that were built with good materials and fine craftsmanship which can be saved, renovated, and maintained. I have seen(worked in) some of the newer construction in the district and can tell you that the materials are cheap, doors are constantly failing(cheap) and require constant attention and repair. The older schools, if maintained and kept clean, are of much better quality(the custodial staff at Austin MS does a fine job for example). So why not renovate rather than throw tax dollars away? I can't believe they actually left "if possible"(regarding SP) in a formal bond proposal. Wow!! The BISD should let the democratic process take place fairly if they really want to help our city, children, hard working teachers, and schools. They've instead presented a "take it or leave it/all or nothing" (Dr Thomas is known for that technique throughout his tenure) bond proposal, because they know only a portion of the city wants a few choice items, and that community would rather the bond fail than let a fair vote take place. They want what they want even if it delays or eliminates what we really need, first....better educational facilities. Any reasonable person would vote to fix our worst problems first, see how that goes, and then address other problems. The notion that inflation will prevent us from building too slowly is simply smoke and mirrors. Sounds like what a high pressure car salesman would say. Let's do put old feelings aside and wait for a proposal without obvious Pork and favoritism, guarantee local builders(not lowest bid), quit wasting $ on consultants, complete what was promised in our last bond(no excuses, please), and quit insulting the intelligence of voters by saying it's now or never.Then we can see what we can do as a community united rather than divided. When we achieve something smaller together, we'll begin to understand other's needs more on all the issues. It's OK to vote no until the proposal is fair for everyone and financially sound. This is way too important to make a decision hastily. Let's get it right this time. Finally, what on earth does student assignment have to do with a bond issue? This just sounds like more manipulation of the vote. Zoning is either right or wrong and should not be part of this issue. Beware of dangling carrots. Yes, a bond issue should be about our kids, moving the whole city forward, and not old hatreds from 25 years ago. But a least one writer makes a valid point. Why would the BISD consider tearing down old South Park when most of the building is considered "structurally sound" unless someone(Paul Brown) has a hidden agenda? We have many schools in Beaumont that were built with good materials and fine craftsmanship which can be saved, renovated, and maintained. I have seen(worked in) some of the newer construction in the district and can tell you that the materials are cheap, doors are constantly failing(cheap) and require constant attention and repair. The older schools, if maintained and kept clean, are of much better quality(the custodial staff at Austin MS does a fine job for example). So why not renovate rather than throw tax dollars away? I can't believe they actually left "if possible"(regarding SP) in a formal bond proposal. Wow!! The BISD should let the democratic process take place fairly if they really want to help our city, children, hard working teachers, and schools. They've instead presented a "take it or leave it/all or nothing" (Dr Thomas is known for that technique throughout his tenure) bond proposal, because they know only a portion of the city wants a few choice items, and that community would rather the bond fail than let a fair vote take place. They want what they want even if it delays or eliminates what we really need, first....better educational facilities. Any reasonable person would vote to fix our worst problems first, see how that goes, and then address other problems. The notion that inflation will prevent us from building too slowly is simply smoke and mirrors. Sounds like what a high pressure car salesman would say. Let's do put old feelings aside and wait for a proposal without obvious Pork and favoritism, guarantee local builders(not lowest bid), quit wasting $ on consultants, complete what was promised in our last bond(no excuses, please), and quit insulting the intelligence of voters by saying it's now or never.Then we can see what we can do as a community united rather than divided. When we achieve something smaller together, we'll begin to understand other's needs more on all the issues. It's OK to vote no until the proposal is fair for everyone and financially sound. This is way too important to make a decision hastily. Let's get it right this time. Finally, what on earth does student assignment have to do with a bond issue? This just sounds like more manipulation of the vote. Zoning is either right or wrong and should not be part of this issue. Beware of dangling carrots.
It is my understanding that they will try to salvage the old South Park by building a new building in a different location. The bond is about so much more than South Park. Yes it is an old, historic building. My father graduated from South Park High School in the 1940's but the school is so much more than a building.It is the memory of learning, friendships made and traditions that were instilled. The children who attend schools in this area deserve new schools also.
It has been 25 years since the districts merged. It is time to move forward, quit blaming others for the past and think about the future of our city.
SAVE THE SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING AS PART OF THE BOND or else it will fall flat and never pass! It's a rule. If it weren't for SPISD there would be no BISD today. If you want respect BISD, you have to earn it. So far you've been pretty miserable at it. Preservation of the SP landmark building will go far in other projects BISD may have in the future. Tearing down SP will bring forth the wrath of the community and alumni. The next thing on the agenda after that would be the razing of the old Beaumont High building in the spirit of fair play. Don't you think?
I agree that the students need the best environment possible for learning. And, what we have now is certainly not a good environment. I hate going into my children's schools. They are falling apart and they smell horrible. My point is this, if the schools had been maintained properly from the beginning, we would not have this HUGE need. I agree however that renovation is not the answer. That would be more costly than building from the ground up. My whole point is.....how can we put trust in the people that violated that trust the last time. Fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice, shame on me. If this is to pass, the community needs rock solid assurances that the money will be spent according to the plans demonstrated before the election. NO SURPRISES, ADDITIONS, and certainly NO SUBTRACTIONS!!
First of all, I am not an ignorant person but was merely posing some questions for thought. I thought most people would recognize that.The district is NOT just the superintendent and the board. There are students and teachers who deserve a pleasant work environment. As for your statement regarding the buildings downtown there are many that are in disrepair. I don't think of downtown Beaumont as a progressive palce. It is extremely costly to renovate old schools. What do we do with the students as the buildings are renovated?If our students are to compete in the world we need pleasant work environments. The students of Beaumont deserve the best we can give them.
I have lived in Beaumont for 12 years. As a parent with 3 children in Beaumont schools, I have to say that I am ashamed of our schools condition. How many years do we have to argue over a bond issue, while our schools are literally falling down around us? No other school districts have this problem. I think it is the narrow mindedness and lack of education in this community that keeps our schools the way they are. Take a look around people. Parents are moving to Lumberton because not only do they already have better schools then we have now, but they are getting ready to pass a new bond to make them even better. I am voting for this bond but I think it will be pointless.
The administration has been fiscally irresponsible because 4 of the current board members were on the board when the last bond was passed. They didn't follow through with the promises they made back then, so why should we expect anything different this time around. Also, why are these buildings dilapidated? A 50 year old building should not be 'dilapidated' if proper maintenance was done. How many homes in Beaumont are over 50 years old? How many buildings downtown are still being used that are over 50? With proper maintenance, these buildings should last 100 years or longer. That is where this district has been fiscally irresponsible. Regarding our esteemed superintendent: Race is certainly not an issue, and mentioning that shows your ignorance. His salary is higher than all superintendents in the state, with the exception of one, when based on a per student rate. If you are going to make that high of a salary, you better be able to take the heat when you don't produce acceptable results. Granted, the last data has improved, but let's look at the entire tenure of his administration. Would you keep your job with similar results??? I wouldn't.
BISD needs to repair / replace many schools now. For Mr. Neild to suggest otherwise exposes his ignorance. The city of Beaumont was nearly ruined when a Neild was mayor in the past - let's not let another Neild attempt to ruin the school district.
Just curious? How has the district been financially irresponsible? Why do people not trust the current administration and exactly who do they not trust and why? I think we need this bond for future growth. The trust factor is constantly brought up. What would it take to build trust? Does the city dislike the superintendent because he makes more than the "Average Joe" or because he is a minority? Is his salary going to be lower if the bond does not pass. Does Tom Neild have a backup plan and why should we trust him?
I haven't decided which side of the fence I am on at this point. I would vote YES for the bond proposal if there was a clause that called for the immediate resignation of Carroll Thomas if it were passed. It is hard for me to vote for a proposal that puts so much money into the hands of an administration that has been so fiscally irresponsible. I really would like to see progressive improvements in Beaumont, and that begins with new schools. However, my fear is that the promised improvements would only be temporary due to the lack of maintenance exhibited by BISD in the past. I could be swayed to vote YES if there were assurances that the only time we will have to have another bond election for BISD is because of the population growth and not because BISD can't maintain what they already have.
I agree that the BISD schools are in dire need of maintenance. But this bond issue as presented is NOT the answer! I moved here last year after spending the last 20 years in the exemplary Cy Fair district. The probelm with BISD is the Board & there lack of priority in representing the students in BISD 1st. I will also add that Cy Fair built a multi purpose facility like BISD wants. It did not cost $29 million is cost over $100 million & the voters there think of it like this area thinks of Ford Park. You cannot build that kind of facility & a football stadium for $29 million! It is impossible! There are way too many holes in this proposal with no specifics. Also, I personally have experience with 1 of the project management companies being considered. They do not give good bids & then run costs way up on the projects they get. They do not pay their sub contractors on time & for all the extra work they wrangle out of them when they get caught short on their bids. I have construction & projext management with 1 of the top 10 GC's in the Houston area & I am now a BISD taxpayer. This proposal is NOT specific enough of a directive of how our money is to be spent to turn loose the BISD Board with. VOTE NO! I am & I have experience in this area of both excellent school districts, construction, & fiscal management.
Beaumont citizens are quick to constantly complain about the school board yet when it comes time to elect new members of the board we keep the same board members. This is not the time to complain about the superintendent or the school board. Does Mr. Neild not realize that his construction company needs future growth? He and a few others are so against the bond yet none of them have come up with a viable plan for the district. He talks about the trust factor. I wonder what it would take for hime to have trust again in the school district. Is this the same district that employs his wife? Just wondering???
After attending the forum held tonite by Mr. Neild, it is painfully obvious that this bond issue would not be such an issue if we had a different board sitting on behalf of BISD !!! One person put it in perspective when he asked, "Is this the same board that mismanaged our money during the previous bond?" The answer is "Four of the BISD board members were on the board at the time of the last bond issue !!!" The lack of trust in Dr. Thomas and his possee of board members is finally catching up to BISD. Sadly, the students are paying for it !!!
After attending the forum held by Tom Neild tonite at the Miller Library, I feel someone in the community needs to organize a town hall meeting where representation from both sides speak and take comments. If community members would like to address Mr. Neild or Dr. Teuscher, their comments and concerns need to be requested priorto the discussion and monitored (just like they do at the BISD board meetings). I feel that Mr. Neild having one meeting for the "No" voters, then Dr. Teuscher having another meeting for the "Yes" voters is only contributing to the division of our community. Maybe the Enterprise, or one of our local television stations, could sponsor it.
Perhaps you need to look at the budget for maintenance. Much of the operating budget is used for utilities and salaries of the maintenance workers. Some of the air/heating systems are well passed their prime. Portable buildings are old and need to be replaced with permanent structures.
There are not enough band-aids to fix all the things that need fixing.
Our children and city need this bond. Your taxes will NOT be any higher than they are now. If you are a senior citizen you will see a tax decrease from last year's taxes. If we wait inflation will be a big factor.
If the bond is so needed , than why is there the need to raise outside funding to help it pass. I have personaly went and out looked at some of the buildings . It appears there is big time lack of maintance. The students need , a responsble BISD school board who will spend their parents tax dollars wisely. BISD needs to inform the tax payers why , such a lack of maintenance. I vote no!
I am voting for the bond proposal. We sorely need to upgrade our district's facilities. All children deserve to go to school in a clean, safe environment. Our city needs to move forward to encourage economic growth.
The public needs to remember that this proposal is for our future. It is not about the superintendent or his salary. He will still be paid the same regardless of the bond results.
I hope the public will ask questions and listen with an open mind. Please don't vote no just because you do not want sports facilities. Look at the whole picture and think about our students' futures and the future of Beaumont.
The bond proposal on the BISD website states that the school district will be responsible for providing the community with a building schedule before the election, and I think we really need to hold them to that.
We are living in a time, when we cannot waste our money! Give us safe schools, and teach the kids manners and respect for other people and their property. I will vote for a bond issue, but only after it meets my criteria. Leave out the swimming pool.
THE KIDS DESERVE A DECENT SCHOOL, BUT DON'T WASTE MONEY AND PUT THE CITY IN DEBT. 
It is hard for me to vote for a proposal that puts so much money into the hands of an administration that has been so fiscally irresponsible. I really would like to see progressive improvements in Beaumont, and that begins with new schools. However, my fear is that the promised improvements would only be temporary due to the lack of maintenance exhibited by BISD in the past. I could be swayed to vote YES if there were assurances that the only time we will have to have another bond election for BISD is because of the population growth and not because BISD can't maintain what they already have.
