MIKE BAURENFIEND- "ANSWER IS NOW COMMITTEE"
REPLIES TO TONI VON RUDEN MESSAGE
I want to take a moment to address Toni Von Ruden¹s recent letter concerning detachment. First of all, I agree with her thoughts about schools being the heart of the community and the importance they play in the stability of the village. However, I also think it may be a bit unfair to try to somehow link detachment to the situation at Columbine or to imply that those favoring detachment are somehow less concerned about the future of our village and our children.
Those who favor detachment believe in their community and the future of their children just as much as Ms. Von Ruden does. They simply have a different view of things. They understand that reconfiguring these districts can provide economic and educational benefits to all the communities and students involved. They also understand that as much as we all might want to keep a school in Wilton, incurring a huge debt while enrollment is declining would unfairly burden all tax payers, especially the elderly and others on fixed incomes. And still this would not insure that the Wilton school would remain open.
Concerning the so-called rumors, the people of Wilton are not angry. On the contrary, the detachment movement has been conducted with courtesy and respect, offering a solution that can benefit everyone. What¹s more, the people of Wilton are certainly not divided. The vast majority favor detachment and have signed their name to the petition to prove it.
As for courage, the people of Wilton have that in abundance. Virtually everyone who signed the petition does not want to see the Wilton school close but they know it eventually will. To step forward and acknowledge that takes tremendous courage.
Regarding faith, yes these same people have faith in the integrity and honesty of the EKW board. They have faith that if they play by the rules and conduct themselves in a respectful manner they will not be ignored or cast aside. They have faith that from detachment will emerge two solid school districts offering courses, programs and values education that will prepare our children to succeed in a challenging world.
This issue is not about blame, it is ³seeing the writing on the chalkboard² and planning ahead, finding a solution and then facing the future with strength and courage. Perhaps that is something on which we can all agree.
Michael Bauernfeind
The Answer Is NOW Committee
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"WHAT WE DON'T HAVE IS THE FAITH, COURAGE AND STRENGTH
TO KEEP THE WILTON SCHOOL OPEN" Toni Von Ruden
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Dear Editor:
In the aftermath of the Columbine School Shootings, and all the other School shootings and bomb threats, we ask ourselves, Why? Where did we go wrong? What can we do to prevent this type of tragedy? These questions and others are being asked to all types of professionals, and task forces are being organized throughout the country to try and answer these profound questions.
Some of the findings and/or beliefs are that: Our schools are de-personalized and that there is too much emphasis on achievement and test scores and not enough on personalization. Out schools are too big and there in not enough personal involvement between teachers and students. (The city of Chicago is building more schools to lower enrollment of their other schools) Lack of interest in our schools from parents and community members. Too much emphasis on multi-curriculumn and none on psychological and social needs of the children. If we start closing all of the small community schools we counteract on all of their findings.
Schools are the heart of the communities, and the communities are the heart of the children. "It takes a Village" Even for the people who live outside the villages, the stability of the village is just as important as the stability of their own family. These people; and the people of the small villages are NOT immune to the problems of the inner cities. All of us must take responsibility for the proper upbringing of ALL our children.
We can begin in our own communities by keeping our small community schools. I can't say enough of the importance of these schools and how much they are needed to install values into our children and also into our communities.
By detaching and going to Brookwood we accomplish absolutely nothing! The only thing that detaching does is to close our school. Why on earth would anyone want to do that to "the children"
The rumors floating round town are: People are just tired of all the "crap" (referring to the school configuration) That "crap" they are talking about is the future of the children. How does anyone give up on that? The other rumor is that: "We don't have enough money to keep the Wilton school open." Believing that we do not have the money is a Self-fulfilling Prophecy. What we don't have is the faith, courage, and the strength to keep the school open. The people of Wilton have divided and are no longer fighting for the same cause. It is no longer the matter of the children, now its all about revenge and anger. There is a lot of energy being spent on detaching that should be spent saving our schools. We have become self-destructive, and the last School Board election is proof of that.
When the doors close for the last time at the Wilton Elementary we have
only ourselves to
blame.
Signed -- Toni Von Ruden
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SHARON BALDWIN: "FACTS", LOOK DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON ...!
I would like to respond to the letter sent out by "Citizens For Education First. The author(s) have listed advantages and disadvantages to three building scenarios. The pros and cons listed are limited only by their imaginations. Just as "facts" will look different depending on who is portraying them. For example; they state that there are 7 second graders in Wilton, This was a month ago. At the time of their mailing, there were 12. Attendance this year has been as high as 15. Certainly well within the ideal of 13, established by experts for this age group, and no cause for alarm. If the writer(s) were truly interested in "facts" the would have verified the details. But the number 7 suited their purpose better than current "facts"
They would like to have us see by their "facts" that consolidating all in Elroy would allow more money for education. According to Craig Hanson's report on March 11 the district would still be broke by 2003-2004. This is a dead issue anyway, considering how miserably that referendum failed. No matter what else we do , we must pass a levy referendum to increase money spend on education. Period.
The bonding referendum facing us in April if for a K-6 both in Wilton and in Elroy and a 7-12 in Kendall. This is the ONLY plan that will keep a school in Wilton, thereby retaining the most students who may otherwise opt for school choice. And with these students we retain the most money.
Citizens For Education First, ask you to consider what TCI proposes that we do. Personally I don't care. In August they came to the board with much the same proposal with $9.13 to 9.45 million. Now they come back with $11.2 million with "allowances". Citizens For Education First, say we can't bond for $11.2 million anyway. Art Keenan says we can. We certainly don't have to stick with TCI. There are more design/build firms out there who would like to give us a bid., I am sure.
It all comes down to getting your own facts. Don't depend on some
self-appointed group to give them to you. Don't listen to me either. Go to
the board meetings, talk to the board members, call the schools, read the
papers. Then see what makes sense to you.
Sharon Baldwin
P.S. There has also been a website started for anyone wishing to share
opinions or facts. Visit it at: https://www.angelfire.com/mi/cybereport/
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DETACHMENT & ATTACHMENT NOT FAIR TO RESIDENCE OF
EKW OR NORWALK/ONTARIO.
Received May 12th. 1999.
Mr. Weber, I have not seen many new opinions on your web page. Please feel free to use this with my name .
180 students added to the Norwalk-Ontario district could have negative effects. How many of these students require speech therapy, chapter I reading, etc. Right now these two programs are near capacity. Adding another position would not pay for the few students who may need the services from EKW but there would be a human cost to the added workload. EKW chose to develop a district over 30 years ago and the people of that district should feel a pride and want to pull together.
The last time I looked around Norwalk had numerous houses for sale. This may be an alternative for some if Wilton families want to enjoy the Norwalk-Ontario school system. Otherwise school choice is an option where class sizes could be capped in the Norwalk-Ontario district and no new building would be needed.
I would encourage the EKW families to take responsibility for their
situation and work towards change. The grass always looks greener on
the other side of the fence but detachment is not fair to the other
residents of the EKW district and to the Norwalk-Ontario residents who
value a small school system with two sections per grade.
Sandra McAnany
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Received May 8th 1999.
MAX HAYDEN, ELROY RESIDENT, SUPPORTS WILTON DETACHMENT
To The Editor.
At a school board meeting on April 8, a request for detachment of Wilton from the EKW district was presented to the school board, by a Mike Bauernfeind.
On April 9, a presentation was given at the Wilton Gym, also by Mr. Bauernfeind. He was joined in this presentation by Esta Parrish, also from the Wilton area.
Mr. Bauernfeing is a citizen of Wilton and runs a business there. At the request of group of Wilton citizens, he had been asked to check into and evaluate what effects a detachment from EKW would have on the area and its citizens.
This was an excellent presentation. It was obvious that they had done their homework well. It covered many aspects.
Essentially their conclusions were:
At their meeting on April 26, the board opposed this detachment.
This problem has been with us for over a year now and still
remains. It is a result of a mixed bag of board memebers.
A majority from the Kendall and Wilton area and
a minority from the Elroy area.
The Wilton element of the board is determined to keep a school
in Wilton. This is understandable.
The element from Kendall is determined to have a new high school
and tear down the one in Elroy. This is not understandable.
Together with the President, they form a controlling majority that insists on having things their way.
Their energy has been expened diligently and arrogantly in this
direction. It has not been focused on the problem.
The problem remains. A decreasing supply of students,
necessitating a need for consolidation.
Detachment is the first step in the resolution of this problem.
This board should allow it to take place, and should be grateful to
Mr.Bauernfeind and Ms. Parrish for doing their homework for them.
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