I have recently heard many people comment on Clawson Public Schools' effort to pass a technology bond at the upcoming election on May 3. Many have suggested that they simply can’t afford an additional expense of any kind. Gas prices continue to soar, the cost of food increases, Michigan unemployment rates are some the highest in the nation, senior citizens’ fixed incomes can’t match the rising cost of prescriptions and medical care— for these reasons and many more— making the decision to take on another expense very difficult.
The way I see it is that the community can’t afford not to pass the bond. Our children and grandchildren need this newer technology to gain a solid education so they can go out and fix these problems. Students are counting on us to pass the bond, as we are counting on our children find the solutions.
Today’s educational standards of interactive white boards and clickers are the equivalent to yesterday’s chalk boards and pencils. They are a requirement to success. These tools are needed to support and enhance student learning in the classroom. Most people I encounter agree that investing in future generations is imperative. This necessary investment in our future has been increasingly difficult for local school districts.
Clawson Public Schools have already made millions of dollars in budget reductions, the state continues to cut funding in per pupil allowances, and indirect costs persistently have increased for schools as well. Instead of providing new technology for students, the district has been valiant in maintaining existing outdated computers. In reality, the tools our students have been asked to use are broken, and a Band-Aid will no longer help. Our community needs to step up; the consequences are too severe if we don’t.
Parents please find the time to go vote for your children. Grandparents please consider your legacy. Clawson residents please support our future.
For many residents, taxes have come down due to our property values decreasing. In my case and many others, the decrease in taxes will more than offset the cost of this bond. Every vote truly counts. Please vote and encourage your neighbors to vote as well.
I also love because of decreased property values it’s really not a tax increase. Kevin fails to mention the decrease in wages and jobs to pay those taxes. In the last four years alone, wages, jobs have gone down and increase in the cost of living and fuel prices. ( I have been out of full-time work for 2.5 years and have a part-time job like many in Clawson and I have a Graduate degree from Walsh Colllege). I doubt that Windows 7.o is going to improve The legacy of children. If the supporters of the bonds care so much, why not buy a PC for the Schools systems and donate it. Buy a student copy of Windows 7.0 !!!! Many people in town would like to invest in the future of their homes with a new furnace, plumbing or roof that are desperately need it but can't be afforded. It is because of the high taxes in Michigan and the local communites that are economy is so bad and many business have left the state or closed. Let's get the economy growing again and people back to work so in time we can "invest" in projects like these. More Taxsis not the answer. John P. Morse 51 yrs resident of Clawson MI
Ask your parents why they voted for it, I remember it was nothing at all uncommon to have my escrow payments go up 50 + a month, cause we were paying for the future plus adding to the what ever pot. If people were just honest amd stop treating us as if we can not think, it would be better to say " pay clawson, (keep the money here" rather then pay washington" keep the money locally rather then sending it away, and then passed on to another state. only prob. with that, is we don't get to keep the full amount, only a percentage. what ever tax bracket your in........
The C M, was Hermoyan (spelling) it was on the front page and it stuck to me, but I was too busy working 7 days and 12 hr's. I did not vote for the first road bond but did vote the second time after some promices, and accouintability, that usually happens after first refusal. I am surprised at how many family's move out of Clawson, before hogh school, I was out of touch till told last summer. as afr as taxes? I already voted, A V, also, don't judge the book by it's cover .....
I am in favor of the tech school bond. Schools struggle for every penny and rely on citizens to support them. We certainly have options to turn down bonds when the request seems unnecessary or frivolous. I do not believe this is the case with this bond. The technology or lack of technology in the schools is an issue that needs to be addressed. We live in a rapidly, growing, global, ever-changing society. We are surrounded by technology. Companies, households and schools are always trying to keep up with the latest “version,” not only to stay competitive but out of necessity. Think about the simple, everyday technology you are surrounded by…do you own an analog cell phone or do you have an “older” flip phone or newer smart phone…do you have cable offering the 100s of digital channels…do you use the web or email on a daily basis…do you use a laptop or an older desktop computer --- you encounter technology every day. You have the choice to use these elements and decide when you want to upgrade each. The school has used their current technology for the past 10 years. You know you don’t have the same cell phone, cable, computer you had in 2001. I would assume that many of us have updated/upgraded some form of their everyday technology in the past 10 year…probably multiple upgrades within the last 10 years.
I want kids and families to WANT to go to Clawson schools. Most schools in the area are Schools of Choice. We want our schools to be comparable and competitive with surrounding schools. We want our community to be desirable and draw in new families, which bring in revenue for our community. I do not want families to choose other communities to live in or other schools to attend. One way to improve our property values is to improve the schools within our community. One way to improve our schools is to improve our offerings. We cannot wait until the economy turns around; we have to turn the economy around ourselves. We have an opportunity to make a simple, inexpensive step to improve the school system in our community which would have a tremendous impact on the everyday lives of our children. We have to provide our schools with the resources and tools to make our children successful. I know families are struggling. I know the economy is harsh. But if there isn’t change and improvement, then we are stuck in the current situation. The Tech Bond reaches out to every single Clawson resident – it is asking us to pool all our resources together to make a lasting impact. Together we can make a difference to improve an area in need. Please vote YES on the Tech Bond on Tuesday, May 3.
To under stand where clawson stands on totem pole, when Troy gets too pricey, Royal oak too full, then the trickle down startes, think, only so much people will pay for one of the ranches, cost per sq. ft. It is not based on the DDA, the Schools, The roads, combination of some, yes, but not like a new bath or kitchen, emotion Kids G kids, about the Grand kids, theres a host of family's who have their 4 or more generation still here. I moved here in 70, so I wasn't swayed by local schools, decision, I could use school of choice, 'Private school'. Det. Count Day, all stud's on their own computers, back in the mid 90's all grades above 4th. Gent above Q's my accurcy on the headlee vote, and "my honesty" on C M, just ask the politiacal Icon still around.