The Line Creek Loudmouth

You're Going to Pay More in Taxes for Park Hill's "No-Tax Increase" Bond Promise

Since the Park Hill School District refuses to use the very expensive and limited viewership technology called "YouTube" to broadcast school board meetings, I'm left to interpret school board agendas. 

The screenshot below is from the 2017-18 Park Hill School District budget.  In the 2017/18 budget process, the property tax operating mill levy was $4.9183 which was assumed to be the rate ceiling established by the State Auditor's Office (SAO) per Missouri's Hancock Amendment.  There wasn't a voluntary rollback per this budget so you paid more in taxes because assessed values in Platte County increased by 7%. 

One thing to point out is that the debt levy to repay the "no-tax increase" bonds was set and remained at $0.6107 from FY17 to FY18. 

That means your taxes went up because assessed value within the school district went up by 7% that year and people were taxed at the same rate of $0.6107 which means you paid more than the intent of the Hancock  Amendment's goal to limit tax revenue increases to governing bodies greater than 1.5%.

Well guess what happened?  The 2017-2018 budget was adopted before the SAO finished the math and consequently the operating levy was officially lowered to $4.7928 because that was the ceiling established by the SAO.  This action occurred during the August 2017 board meetings.  This kept the operating levy at a rate consistent with the intent of the Hancock Amendment.

The debt levy remained unchanged at $0.6107 which means everyone who had an increase in their assessed value had no rollback and the district received 7% more in tax revenue for debt service because of increased valuations.  People technically had their taxes go up because of increased valuations to pay for the "no-tax increase" bonds.

Now take a look at the current mill rates which were discussed at the 8/8/19 meeting.  You can read for yourself but again property assessments on existing property went up $73.6M or 7.4%

Now did you read the last paragraph above?  I'll repeat it for you:

For 2019, the State Auditor has set the debt service levy ceiling to $0.8298. The district is proposing to voluntarily roll this debt service levy back to $0.7128 to accelerate the repayment of principal on existing debt. This will allow the district to begin building capacity for future capital improvements/repairs to existing facilities and to construct facilities to accommodate future enrollment growth.

Did you pick up on the fact that the debt service levy increased from $0.6107 in FY18 to $0.7128 when property assessments in Platte County have increased over 7% the past two years.  I may have went to Illinois public schools, but that appears that the Park Hill School District has increased the debt service levy (your taxes) by 16+%. Don't believe me?  Well take a look at the district's own presentation and note how they try to convince you with the double asterisks that you're getting a lower debt levy rate because it's lower than what the Hancock Amendment will allow.

Here is the form that Bart Klein is going to sign increasing your taxes for "no-tax increase" bond payments.

Now since again the School District refuses to broadcast meetings, I can't go back and watch the discussion.  I'm left with a screen shot from a presentation for the 8/8/19 meeting where the table shows "Fund 3 - Debt Service Levy" (ie what is paying for the bonds) going from $0.6107 to $0.7128.  Folks, that's a tax increase from 2018 to 2019. 

Now we also have another problem in the fact that the Park Hill School District didn't budget anything for the increased staffing at three new schools and now is running an annual operating deficit which will total over $18 MILLION over the next four years.  Where did I get that number?  Screenshot from a presentation at the 5/23/19 board meeting.  Too bad I can't go back and watch a video to see the discussion and maybe get a better understanding of why this is going on......

This is right after the school board approved using operating fund reserves to pay the capital cost of the new high school.  In case you missed that post, it's here and you just need to scroll down towards the end because it included election stuff.  Did anybody know about this upcoming structural deficit and if so, why didn't anyone ask if spending operating reserves was wise given structural deficits.  Again, since the school district refuses to get with the 21st century and broadcast their meetings, no one will really know. 

One thing I want to point out is that we have someone else starting to watch the school district.  I don't know who is doing this but I understand the anonymity.  I've heard quite a few stories of retaliatory behavior from anyone who doesn't toe the line with the official spin.  You need to check out the Park Hill Transparency Project and follow them on FB and Twitter.

Now those of you sitting out there screaming "yeah but that's not the real story and you're spreading disinformation" I have a simple way to straighten me out and shut me up.  Ask your school board and administration why they refuse to tape and broadcast meetings.  I know there will be quite a bit of consternation with this post but in my quest for transparency from this governmental agency, I feel strongly that meetings discussing our children's education and how our money is stewarded should be broadcast for everyone to see. 

Meanwhile, I just want to point out that tomorrow, the Park Hill School Board is going to vote to raise your taxes to pay for debt/bonds.  The official tax rate hearing notice is here and if you want to ask the Park Hill School Board why they're raising taxes, you should show up tomorrow at 6:55, sign your comment card, and state your objection.  If you get there after 7, they won't take your public comment card and you won't have the ability to address the board.

Basically the property tax mill levy you paid in 2018 was $5.3955.  The property tax mill levy you will pay in 2019 even with the State Auditor's Office required rollback is the same at $5.3955.  Your taxes are going up to cover debt service.  It's in the notice.

I don't know if you've ever heard of "YouTube" but it's this really cool website where anyone with a cell phone camera can record something and post it for people to watch and it's FREE.  Anyways, after writing all of this about how my taxes are going up to cover payments on a "no-tax increase" bond has gotten a song stuck in my head which I'll share with you to enjoy.

Clip credit to The Rollins Band.

Renner Elementary Proposed Improvements

Park Hill School District parents at Renner Elementary will see some improvements to make flow in and out of there easier.  These improvements will hopefully reduce some parents conflict with Barry Stroad traffic and all the people cutting through on the overly wide Stoddard Avenue to avoid the signals.

Even though the school has existed since maybe before annexation and the school district is a higher governmental entity, the school district property is zoned R-7.5 which according to the KCMO development code is:

The R-7.5 district, for example, is a short-hand reference to a residential district that generally allows one dwelling unit per 7,500 square feet of gross site area.

What that means is any modifications to the existing school require a special use permit so the school can be in conformance with the development code and continue to exist as a school.  If you are bored on a Friday night, you can browse the code here.

Parents can look forward to a re-configuration of the parking lot and a new driveway so the patrons to the south can avoid that weird curved T-intersection.

Here is a better map with proposed improvements overlaid on aerial.

Hopefully the special use permit process goes smoothly and the school can remain as a school and work can happen when everyone is on summer break.

Sophie's Run This Saturday May 9th

First off I wish I would have posted this earlier but it snuck up on me.  This Saturday is the annual Sophie's Run at Lake Waukomis.  You can sign up here.

 

This is your once a year chance non-residents can legally run around Lake Waukomis.

How?  By participating in Sophie's Run this Saturday May 10th.  Here's the website for the Foundation where you can learn about Sophie and how the run benefits kids in the Park Hill School District.  Below is what I cut and pasted from the site about the Foundation.  Please share.

About the Sophie's Run Foundation

Sophie’s Run @ Lake Waukomis is a 501c3, organized to honor the life of Sophie Edwards, a citizen of Lake Waukomis and student of the Park Hill School District, who passed away April 29, 2010.

The fundraising we do benefits children in surrounding communities to assist them in obtaining technology that will help them in school & in life. Our goal is to provide children who have special needs with the means to communicate. Park Hill School District has documented the work being done in the classrooms with Assistive Technology Devices donated to the Assistive Tech LIbrary in the District.

We had searched for a communication device that Sophie could access all her life. It was a challenge given that her limbs were affected by tone from spasticity and her body was challenged by the energy metabolism disorder that was the basis of her health issues. Sophie communicated with us through her eyes and in 2008, we found an eye gaze computer that Sophie could operate. It took months to locate the sources to fund the $17,000 device, only to have it delivered 1 week to the day after Sophie's funeral. We contributed over $5000 worth of equipment in 2012 & 2013 to Park Hill School District's Assistive Technology Library and the therapists and educators continue to inform us that it was a gift that keeps on giving each day in the classrooms and beyond.

Our goal through the Sophie’s Run @ Lake Waukomis Foundation, is to never see a child have to wait to communicate. Communication doesn't stop when children leave their school, so we hope to assist families who would like a device to create seamless communication from home to school and back again. Families who wish to submit a grant application to help fund an assistive technology device, should request a grant application by writing [email protected].

Sincerely,
Jim & Theresa Edwards (Sophie's Parents) & The Board of Sophie's Run @ Lake Waukomis

 

Blow Off Making Dinner, Eat at McDonald's™ Tonight (Tuesday 11/18)

All right here's what I am thinking.  It's getting darker and cold outside.   Do you really want to make dinner at home and clean up or do you want to take it easy and cheap and help the Line Creek PTA by eating at the McDonald's™ on Barry Road at I-29 tonight (11/18)?

 

Fall soccer and football have wrapped up and basketball may have started so it makes total sense to swing by and grab some McD's on your way home from work on the way to practice.  Just make sure you tell the cashier your with the PTA.

If you come inside, you can watch our teachers and administrators run the cash machines which is funny and worth going inside.  You also know that your order will be right when you get it. 

You never know what might happen if you use the drive thru lane...

 Clip credit to Carsey-Werner Productions from That 70's Show.

Yummm...McDonald's™

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese.......

Do you really want to deal with dinner and washing dishes?

Reminder Line Creek PTA McDonald's Fundraiser Tonight

Just a friendly little reminder about tonight's Line Creek PTA fun night at the McDonald's at I-29 and Barry Road.

 

Blow Off Making Dinner, Eat at McDonald's™ Thursday

All right here's what I am thinking.  It's getting darker and cold outside.  The next day is Friday.  Do you really want to make dinner at home and clean up or do you want to take it easy and cheap and help the Line Creek PTA by eating at the McDonald's on Barry Road at I-29 this Thursday evening the 21st?

Fall soccer and football have wrapped up and basketball may have started so it makes total sense to swing by and grab some McD's on your way home from work on the way to practice.  Just make sure you tell the cashier your with the PTA.

If you come inside, you can watch our teachers and administrators run the cash machines which is funny and worth going inside.  You also know that your order will be right when you get it. 

You never know what might happen if you use the drive thru lane...

 Clip credit to Carsey-Werner Productions from That 70's Show.

WAY TO GO PARK HILL!

Park Hill South ranked as the 13th best high school and Park Hill ranked the 6th best high school in the state.  Great job teachers, parents, and students.

Watch the slide show here.

Read the U.S. News and Report story here.

Park Hill School District Boundaries and Maps

When I was on Park Hill's website looking for data about the Kansas City Missouri School District (KCMO School District), I noticed that the Park Hill School District has upgraded their boundary mapping.  A patron no longer has to download a PDF and zoom into their neighborhood.

The district is using a GIS based system.  All one needs to do is go here and type in your address.

The mapping software has a layer where one can turn on the elementary, middle, and high schools.

It's really easy to use and takes a lot of thinking out of where ones kids go to school or if someone is looking to buy a house in Platte County in the Park Hill School District.  The Platte County School District isn't as complex since they don't have as many schools but one can find their district map here.

Taxpayer Protection PAC Park Hill Flip Levy Tax Increase

There is No KCMO School District In Platte County

In case you were wondering how the Kansas City Missouri School District (KCMO School District) accreditation issues impact Platte County, don't worry-they don't thanks to geography. 

Even though the term "Kansas City schools"  gives one the impression that everyone in Kansas City has to attend the Kansas City School District, that isn't the case.  Kansas City residents in Platte County have multiple options for their children when choosing to live in Platte County.

The issues with KCMO School District accreditation could potentially impact all school districts in Clay, Cass, Lafayette, Johnson, and Ray Counties and the courts and attorneys are sorting this all out. 

Park Hill patrons are insulated from the Turner v. School District of Clayton decision because Platte County does not border Jackson County.  Valerie Verkamp with the Platte County Landmark had a good write up on this two years ago which she stated:

"Pursuant to RSMo. § 167.131, a board of education that does not maintain its accreditation must pay the tuition and transportation for each student who attends an accredited school in another district of the same or an adjoining county.

The statute further states, the amount of tuition to be charged is the per student cost of maintaining the district's grade level grouping. The board of education must determine this cost, but the amount should not exceed the total spent for teachers' wages, incidental purposes, debt service, maintenance, and replacements.

According to Dr. Miles, given that the boundary lines of both Platte County and Jackson County, the Park Hill School District will not serve as an option to students seeking an accredited school district."

Platte County doesn't adjoin Jackson County so any issues with accreditation and the courts won't impact the Park Hill School District.  The Platte County School District also covers a lot of Kansas City, Missouri residents and would not be impacted by a sudden influx of transfer students.

When looking at Kansas City schools in Platte County, you can find a map of all the school districts in the county courtesy of the Platte County Planning and Zoning Department and the GIS team.  I zoomed into the Kansas City portion of the county below.

So the bottom line is even though Jackson County is less than two miles away, thanks to state law, we don't have to worry about transfers overloading our facilities, tuition and transportation costs, and attorney fees sorting it all out. 

It'd be nice if families in unaccredited districts had a way out of them or some way to get a quality education without having to move so that they could better their kids future job opportunities.  No matter how you want to look at it or spin it, schools are a big determining factor where people want to live.  Without strong schools, it is very hard to maintain property values and population.  It's hard to build a community without gathering places and historically schools have been a great way to build community.  This is why school consolidation is often fought in rural areas and is difficult to do because once a town loses its school, it often loses its identity.

A child's future and learning should not be determined by the location of their home.  Unfortunately, that's the case in America today.

Kansas City Missouri School District KCMO Schools Accreditation Quality Shawnee Mission Blue Valley Kansas Gardner Edgerton

Park Hill South Needs 1000 Votes

The Channel 9 KMBC game of the week poll is out.  Park Hill South is hosting Blue Springs.  The Panthers need an even 1000 votes to catch up.  The winning school gets $500 or something.  I wasn't paying attention when they put the poll up on the TV.

The poll is on the left side of the high school sports page in the middle.  Please vote and let people know so we can see if the Panthers can catch up.

 

http://www.kmbc.com/sports/high-school-sports

Why Is the Park Hill School Board Thinking of Stifling Economic Growth?

I was reviewing the agenda for the Park Hill School District Board of Education meeting this Thursday and noticed this nugget on the agenda: "Board of Education Support of the Veto to HB 253"

You may not have noticed, but the state of Kansas dropped the nuclear bomb of economic development incentives when they restructured their tax codes and treatment of certain business income taxes to 0%.

This comes on the heels of another company moving from the Missouri side to the Kansas Side without any reason other than the business climate from what I read from the article.  The state of Kansas has better protections for sole-proprietors with regard to seperating personal assets versus business assets and even the Kauffman Foundation gives a better grade to the "Free State."

Here is my illustrative simple math on the tax reasons why MarketSphere would move.   The article states they did $62.9M of revenue in 2012.  Since the are a consulting company and make a healthy 10% pre-tax profit margin.  That would calculate to a $6.3M profit.  If they were to stay in Missouri with its 6% tax rate, that would mean a tax bill of $378k.  Think about that number.  That's a big number that could be used to hire more people in order to grow the business or be used for other purposes.  Kansas is betting that the loss of business income will be offset by additional personal income tax of net new employees.

The state of Missouri does not have a revenue problem.  The state of Missouri has a spending problem.  I picked on the university system since I hear a lot whining about cuts to higher education.

The Missouri Government Accountability Portal wasn't very accountable and didn't have current 2012 salary data for the numerous Department of Higher Education employees so I had to do some digging.  I came across the Springfield News-Leader state employee salary database and put a table together of all the public university employee's salaries who made six figures.  I wasn't sure of the year of the data but am assuming it was 2006 since the database lists Claire McCaskill as the State Auditor.  I picked one lucky professor of marketing, Srinivasan Ratneshwar, who according to the SNL database pulled down a salary of $195,130.  I then found this site which had 2009 salary data and Mr. Ratneshwar was pulling down a cool $233,111.  I don't really know what a professor of marketing is making now but I bet it is a lot more than what the private side of the marketing profession is making in the FDR New Deal "new economy."

Here is a listing of salary data and names for the 1030 or so university employees that made over  six figures from the 2006ish SNL database. Download 2006ish-Missouri-University-Salaries

Maybe we could pay our teachers more or reduce class sizes if the state wasn't paying inflated salaries to professors who teach such valuable classes like:

WGST 2960. Sexual Health Advocacy and Service Learning. 3 Credits.Students will critically investigate sexuality and reproductive health within a cultural context including religious, political, social justice, familial, and societal influences. Through assigned readings, reflection, experiential learning, small group activities and discussion, students will increase their awareness of sexual health issues, enhance self awareness, and learn how to effectively educate their peers surrounding issues of sexual health. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

OR

SOCIOL 3300. Queer Theories/Identities. 3 Credits.
(same as Women's and Gender Studies [WGST] 3300). Analysis of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (glbt) and queer identities in culture and society with an emphasis on the contributions of queer theory and other glbt standpoint theories to sociology and the study of society. Prerequisite: Sociology [SOCIOL] 2200 or instructor's consent.

OR

PLNT_S 3210. Principles of Weed Science. 4 Credits.
Introduction to principles of weed growth, reproduction, and impact on human activities. Discussion of weed control techniques and technology, weed identification, and developing weed management strategies. Prerequisite: PLNT_S 2110 or BIO_SC 1200.

I would love to spend $300+ tuition per credit hour to take those babies.   I couldn't find anything on the pension system since I didn't look further past the employee benefits page of UMC.

I also found this little nugget where you can see what we paid the "leadership" at all the public universities.  I with I had UMKC's Leo Morton's 2012 base salary of $289,750, housing allowance of $57,300, automobile allowance of $17,090, performance award of $27,075, and other fringe benefits around $35,000.

Maybe if the university system had to cut back like the rest of us, we wouldn't be paying such inflated salaries and promoting degrees (Art History, Classical and Ancient Studies, Peace Studies, etc) with little return on investment and classes that could be replaced with a 30 minute video. 

I guess you have to have a "Family Studies" program since the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960's has been so successful at endangering the traditional nuclear family.  Does the University of Missouri really need to offer over 50 classes on Women's and Gender Studies?  That women's study degree will come in real handy at the women's studies factory down the street won't it? 

Taking a quick gander at that list makes me even wonder if any of these will ever be used behind the counter at Starbucks where I'm sure someone possessing a M.A. in Women's and Gender Studies will be working for the rest of their life......

Bottom line, if more businesses continue to leave Missouri for Kansas, then there won't be any of this revenue and these cuts will take place anyways.  Missouri borders 8 states.  The NW part of Arkansas has thousands of companies that have located there because of Wal-Mart.  Think some of those companies might move up to Joplin or Neosho to save on taxes?

The state of Missouri can pro-actively work to deal with the impacts of the static revenue losses the first year or two and then reap the rewards of additional revenue from economic growth.  Take a look at Detroit and see how fast a vicious cycle of decline caused by uncompetitive fiscal policy and shrinking tax base can destroy an economy.  Or cover your ears and yell "lalalalalala" real loud and lie to yourself that no one seems to mind paying a 6% corporate income tax when they can move 2 miles away and pay 0%.

The Park Hill School Board should be leading the efforts to Grow Missouri.

Park Hill Long Range Facilites Plan

A couple of months ago, I went to the first meeting about Park Hill's long range facility plan but haven't had a chance to comment on it.  Basically a bunch of well intentioned and caring parents showed up to the meeting.  Like most pubic meetings, it involved people who define special interests and are not representative of the district as a whole.

So unless you want us to wind up with an elaborate, expensive performing arts complex that only gets used 10 times a year rather than laptops and electronic chalkboards that get used daily and contribute to learning skills that are needed to get a real paying job, I encourage you to find the 5-10 minutes to fill out the Park Hill School District survey here. 

My biggest comment at the meeting is that after being in so many facilities in the Missouri side of the metro, I think Park Hill does a great job being efficient with their buildings and designs.  They have not allowed architects and staff to go crazy designing facilities that are wasteful and have huge operating costs (ie 4 story glass foyers, overuse of marble/granite, gyms, etc).

That being said, some of our older schools are rather dark and uninviting (Plaza example #1).  I recommended some paint and simple updating without blowing the place up. 

Also, make sure you put in there somewhere that all the faucets need to be on sensors.  The best way to reduce germ spreading is to get clean hands and not have people turn off the germy faucet with clean hands.  This also saves on water usage as the faucet is only running when it is being used.

 

Clip credit to CBS from the Big Bang Theory.

Platte R-3 Assistant Principal Opening

With retirements popping up everywhere (BTW, congratulations to both Coach Sedler and Coach Sobbe, your service over the years has been greatly appreciated), positions are opening up in our area schools in anticipation of next school year.

In case you missed it, the Platte County School District started the year off with a new Principal.  Unfortunately, I guess the stress of running a school full of post-millennial teenagers didn't leave much time for a social life and being around so many hormone oozers must have caused some "needs." 

Let's take the moral take on this story out of the equation because we all are a bunch of unworthy sinners in our own little ways and all fall short of the glory of God.  This guy showed an incredible lack of judgement just looking at it from a health standpoint.  Who knows what types of diseases or later issues in life one can get from having random moments with a stranger? Especially one that gets random quite often.

That being said, why would law enforcement take the time and effort to bust someone for solicitation if the case never made it to trial?  Couldn't resources be better used to combat drug usage or property crimes than busting some very stupid horny middle aged dude?  I guess in the age of the internet, this dude is screwed if some school district ever bothers to search his name.

Anyways, now the district posted an assistant principal position in December and applications were due 1/31/13.  Hopefully they get someone who can handle the hormones.

 

Song credits to The Hollies.

Praying For Line Creek Elementary Tomorrow

A week ago at this time, no one had fathomed how much life for American school children was going to change the next day.  We need better community in our urban areas.  I have to confess that I am part of that problem.  It's so easy to just fade away and be anonymous and detached from everything.  Maybe if we knew each other a little more than just a fading hello in passing or social media chatter, things like this would be reduced. 

That's why I am asking any of you that would like to join me, to meet at the Line Creek Community Center parking lot tomorrow (Friday 12/21/12) morning at 8:45 to pray for our school and the safety of our kids, teachers, and staff.  If you don't see me in my orange coat, I probably am inside so look there.  I am taking the day off and will head there after I drop the boys off.   Since the snow has everything covered there would really be no good place near the school and in light of the heightened concerns, it's not a good idea to be loitering near the school. 

If you would like to join me, I look forward to it.  I encourage any other readers from our other elementary schools to take the lead and start doing the same thing.

When I was 4-5, I remember listening to this Bellamy Brothers song at my grandmother's house on her old hi-fi 8 track player.  I think it's a good reminder that we just need to remember that anger and rage kill but kindness and love help.

Blow Off Making Dinner-Eat at McDonald's™ at Barry and I-29

It's too cold and dark to spend the whole night at home making a meal and cleaning up.  Get the kids out and join the zoo at the McDonald's™ on Barry Road at I-29.  The zoo being the Line Creek PTA fundraiser from 4PM to 8PM.

Eat At McDonald's™ Monday Night

Help raise some funds for the Line Creek PTA tomorrow night from 4PM to 8PM at the McDonald's™ on Barry Road at I-29.  Line Creek teachers will be there in shifts so you can say hello to them.

Clip credit to Mike Judge and Viacom™.

Todd Burr Is the Latest Seat Warmer on the Park Hill BOE

Four candidates made it through the first round and Todd Burr wins the "Fred Sanchez" seat.

Park Hill Admin Offices and BOE Meeting Room Renovations

I drank too much caffeine at dinner the other night at was perusing the upcoming November 8th Park Hill Board of Education meeting agenda (yes, dork alert) and this caught my eye.

8.1 Preliminary District Office Renovations Plans

With the addition of Technology Support staff during the 2012-2013 year as well as further expansion to the Technology and Academic Support to assist with the successful implementation of FLiP in upcoming years, renovations to the District Office are necessary.

Hollis+Miller will present preliminary conceptual drawings that show potential renovations to portions of the lower and upper levels to accommodate additional staff members in these departments. In addition, Hollis+Miller will present concepts modifying the Board Room with updated audio, video and technology features for the Board members and audience during Board of Education meetings.

The proposed layouts are attached to the agenda item link and I took a screen shot in case you are wondering how the Boardroom was going to be improved.  The walls all stay the same but the tables and layout change. The purple arrow is the first door to enter the room after signing in. 

I looked (and may have missed) but didn't see any information available on the cost or budget for those renovations.  I understand that capital and operating expenses are two different funding sources and purposes, but with property taxes going up, I encourage the Board to be very efficient with any remodel (and don't hire these guys).

Film credit to Universal Pictures from The Money Pit movie.

Ron Schieber Returns to the Statehouse

86% of the vote in and Representative Schieber is cruising with a 10% lead.

Duane Soper Replaces Jim Plunkett

With 10% of the vote in, I feel pretty safe in congratulating Duane Soper on his victory in Platte County's "North" District.

Park Hill BOE Interviews Tomorrow?

Interviews for BOE candidates to replace recently departed Fred Sanchez are scheduled begin at 6PM tomorrow (November 7).  I have a request in for the names of the candidates and hopefully we will see something tonight or early in the morning with the formal announcement or an indication if the interviews will happen or be postponed.

I will say that I was not an applicant and I am humbled by those of you that wanted to see me apply.  I will say that I deserve any criticism that I am not "manning up" by taking pot shots here and there (and giving kudos when deserved) but not attempting or be willing to serve.  I frankly don't have the time.  Not only do I have five little ones who need a ton of attention, I have been officiating high school basketball and football for 17 years and have a full schedule committed this winter.  This service plus my involvement in AWANA on Wednesday nights has me stretched pretty thin. 

I am thankful those that serve on the Board and am glad that they are willing to give up their time and talents to do so for this district and our children.

Park Hill School Board Resignation Follow Up

Ivan Foley and Valerie Verkamp and the other staff at the Platte County Landmark have been working hard to cover the recent school board resignation of Fred Sanchez. 

Ivan has posted his viewpoint on 10/17/12 and started it off with a little humor:

"I always unstrap that gun from my ankle before writing my column. Keeps me from shooting myself in the foot."

Valerie has her follow up story here.

There also are some details posted in the Citizens for Park Hill Facebook page here.  Scroll down to Kelly Bull Seymor's 10/16/12 7:24PM post and read through the comments.

You can apply for the position from the Park Hill website.  Just make sure you check your piece.   We don't want any lilly livered bow legged varmints around here. 

Cartoon credits to Warner Brothers from the The Bugs Bunny Show. 

 

What Kind of a Liberal is Fred Sanchez???

WHOA!  Park Hill Board of Education meetings will now be bearable to attend.  Board Member Fred Sanchez has resigned.  For carrying a CONCEALED WEAPON to a BOE meeting!  I think a lot of people have mistakenly characterized him as Platte County's resident flaming liberal and owe him a great deal of apology. 

He owns a 1/2 ton Ford™ pickup.  Not a bailed out GM™ or Dodge™/Chrysler™ or a weenie plug in mobile.  He hangs out and parties with soon to be Republican Platte County Commissioner Beverlee Roper.

And now, he packs heat at a school board meeting?  What was he concerned about?  The Occupy Park Hill group showing up with flaming rhetoric?

The cause of his resignation does invite the sophomoric answer to the "do you have any weapons" question...

Did Fred Sanchez make a difference?  I don't know.  It kept me away from 5 months of meetings so I guess there was some benefit in his very short term of service.

Clip credit to Mike Judge and Viacom™.

Line Creek PTA Fundraiser From 4 to 8

Reminder to head to the Chipotle™ at Englewood and North Oak just north of the HyVee™ for the Line Creek PTA fundraiser tonight, Monday September 24th.  I think you can be safe from the Loudmouth clan being there since I have a freshman/JV football doubleheader to referee and won't be able to make it.

Remember to mention that you are there for the Line Creek PTA and thank all of you in advance for supporting our PTA.