of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio
of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio May 2005Well, we can't trust them with our community landmarks, but we have no choice but to trust them with our money. It seems like this time, instead of loosing by giving us a guilt trip, Chillicothe City Schools won by holding the local economy hostage...
Superintendant Trego was quoted in audio on Clear Channel radio as saying that this levy victory had the largest margin of victory since 1972. However, about a year after that 1972 victory, the school system destroyed the Mount Logan school building - only the first in a series of demolitions in the school system and in local government...one that has not ended.
What does this victory bode for school facilities? For historic Smith Middle School? Western School?
In addition, a vote of 3,881 vs. 3,000 (56% vs. 44%) doesn't sound like that great a vindication. Do most school levies have slimmer margins?!
And what about that previous two-vote margn of support in the previous school election issue? The citizens appear to be speaking. Are the leaders listening?
I still don't have a firm grasp on what would be an ideal school funding system, but the system deserves the support of the community and its fair share of our tax money. However, the system must respect our investment - or rather, garnishing? - and reflect community values. Destroying useful, sensible, historic buildings does not reflect our values.
Or does it?
("If you tear down the old, they'll have to pay for the new!")
