LEVY: Cd'A leadership lacking

I've been waiting for facts to support the District 271 levy. None were forthcoming from our educators, but Jim Ballew gave us the truth with numbers in My Turn on Friday, Feb 25. I will vote against the levies and here's why:

Hazel Bauman will not listen to us, her employers. She limits input at meetings to three minutes when she allows input at all. The collective wisdom of the community is far greater than that of Hazel and the board. We do not see the belt-tightening, innovation and recognition of the harsh realities of the economics of Coeur d'Alene in 2011.

Jim gave a stark comparison between the excessive expenditures of District 271 and the wise use of resources by Post Falls schools. Leadership is demonstrated by Post Falls while a sad lack of leadership is our lot in Coeur d'Alene. When the previous superintendent retired, he and the board assured us that Hazel was the ‘best candidate' for the job. Her performance has been disappointing, her leadership skills found wanting and there are no signs to indicate this will change.

In addition to all the issues Jim raised, I have never seen an (honest) accounting of the costs of the IB and PYP programs. I would like to know how much money is sent to UNESCO yearly? How much has been sent in previous years? In addition to the direct costs of paying UNESCO for these programs, what are the indirect costs of shuttling students around to accommodate those who want in and those who want out?

Hazel and the board are spending our money on the education of our students. Until I see direct, detailed reporting, accountability and assumption of responsibility for this use of our money, I will not vote to give more.

VERN WESTGATE

Coeur d'Alene