FIX FAILING ALBANY SCHOOLS NOW

 FIXING FAILING ALBANY SCHOOLS NOW, KEY TO  ALBANY'S FUTURE                                                May 12, 2005

May 17  a school budget vote will be held in the City of Albany.

The ballot questions to be voted on are:

 #1 a 157 million dollar budget, a 3.9 percent tax hike.

 Every year the budget increases and the tax rate goes up. Do not be fooled by the relatively small percentage rate. Realize that successive years of budget and tax rate increases, plus revaluation and full value assessment combined,  translate to significant property tax increases and  financial windfalls to both city government and the school district.

What are we getting in return? Failing city schools that are unsafe , disorderly, unconducive learning environments for serious students who want to learn.

#2 Charter school funding: Do you support it?

Your answer doesn't matter. This is state mandated. This is a poll question to make you feel like you actually have a say in what goes on.

#3 Albany Public Library $4.2 million tax levy and three vacancies on the library board of trustees.rar

Albany residents deserve one good library. You are being asked to approve 4.2 million dollars for a library system that has no plan for the future. You are also presented with 3 candidates for election as Library trustees. They are unopposed (the kind of elections those in power in Albany really like). It doesn't matter who the candidates are or what they stand for-you have a clear choice- vote for them or don't vote -. It doesn't matter because even if they vote for themselves, they will be elected. Your vote is irrelevant. Maybe, that is why so few people come out to vote at school budget elections! Not to worry, because that enables those who control city schools and the public library to have their way. To further discourage voter participation, only certain polling places are open, thereby ensuring a small turnout.

QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THIS BALLOT BUT ARE NOT:

Q1. Should the Albany School District/Board be disbanded and responsibility and accountability for the city schools vested with the Mayor and Common Council?

Q2. Should Albany return to a K-8 neighborhood school system?

Q3. Should school budget votes be moved to the November General Election, with results being final? (No reruns)

Q4. Should the Albany City Schools Adopt and Enforce Strict a strict conduct code in schools, on buses, and neighborhood streets around schools?

 

Despite my persistant calls for these questions to be addressed they are not! The Mayor, Common Council Members and School Board Members have all looked the other way.  Sure ,there has been some posturing and public handwringing, but no action.

Remember this when you go to vote (if you do) on May 17,  September 13 (Democratic Primary) and the Kentucky Derby of Albany elections November 8.(General Election)

Maybe you ought to vote on each of the above dates because things will  never change until you exercise the power you have to bring about improvements in our city schools and government, as well as our neighborhoods and city as a whole -YOUR VOTE!

                                                    J P Sullivan