BISD BOND ISSUE LETTERS: What is your opinion?

By The Enterprise

10/08/2007

Updated 10/09/2007 05:14:53 PM CDT

Beaumont has never had a better opportunity to become a model city. Few areas in the nation have the economic development coming our way.

Fifteen billion dollars in petrochemical development will require up to 20,000 high-paying jobs. Normally, half leave when the work is finished; the other half remain. Will they live in Beaumont?

We have improved significantly among the top 200 best cities. The Beaumont ISD has also improved. All schools in the district are academically acceptable, but we do have unacceptable school buildings. We must approve the upcoming bond issue to complete the package.

How great it will be to get rid of all the portable buildings and the high maintenance costs of half-century-old dilapidated buildings.

We have one of the lowest debt rates in the state. Now is the time complete the last piece of the puzzle. Do not be misled. Some of the opposition has never voted for any bond issue. We can do better.

C.L. (SONNY) SHERMAN
Beaumont
Published: Sat., Oct. 6

Beaumont City Councilwoman Nancy Beaulieu's negative comments at a recent public meeting on the BISD bond issue regarding South Jefferson County resorted to fear-mongering as a tool to encourage support for the proposal. Rather than present the facts honestly and clearly, her words show how desperate the proponents are.

Why would anyone feel the need to disparage another city, its school district, its citizens, in order to further his or her goal? I'm reminded of the saying, "It's a mighty low person who needs to tear someone else down in order to build themselves up."

If you really look at it, Beaumont and Port Arthur have a lot in common. Both have allowed their educational infrastructure to fall on hard times before acting in the best interests of children. The cities are more alike than the population differences would indicate, and as a result of their past inaction, they chose to "pimp" children in the name of education.

The fact remains, adults, for all their bluster, will use each other, and children, to further their narrow agenda, while all children suffer educationally. If the goals are sound and true, there is no need to use fear as a weapon. Let the facts speak for themselves, let the people decide.

It is my hope that the city councils and school districts of both cities will seek an apology, or at the least comment, and ask that both sides of the issue refrain from disparaging comments in the future, lest their ugly little warts be placed on exhibition. However, don't hold your breath.

JOHN BEARD JR.
City Council member
Port Arthur
Published: Sat., Oct. 6

The recent rhetoric about the BISD bond issue has become more emphasized to this parent. Goals Night was a revelation, as I walked the campus and saw the flock of portable buildings. I realized that we as a community might need to listen closer to the issues affecting our schools.

I sat in one of the portables listening to an enthusiastic educator speak about their policies, curriculum and expectations. The buzzing of the window air conditioner in the background, the heat seeping from the floor and the wind shifting the building caused me to ask myself:

How as a parent I am to expect my child to succeed in these conditions? It is horrid, and these were the good ones.

I traveled to another local school for a football game. As I approached the facility, I was impressed with the condition of the building. I turned down the street leading to the field and there like a herd of cattle were portables, lined up so neatly.

I thought, how could this be. How have we allowed our students, our future, our best and brightest, to linger in such conditions?

As a parent, I have an obligation to my children to provide them the best possible education and conditions to thrive. As a community, we also must realize that these buildings are what we are giving to our youth.

Ask yourself in good conscience, is the improvement to our schools worth the investment? If you answer no or undecided, take the time and visit one of local schools, and you should realize what decision to make.

DAVID PICKETT
Beaumont
Published: Tue., Oct. 2

Here's my take on the BISD bond issue: The last one failed because people thought it was too much money, so what does that August school board do? That's right, they are all asking for even more money.

This school board has never been very frugal with taxpayer money. They have that superintendent who I think is paid way more than he's worth. BISD officials never heard of the word "maintenance." Their mindset is once it's been there a while, we'll just tear it down and build a new one. After all, it's just taxpayer money.

Instead of a new football stadium, why don't they use Lamar's football stadium, which is largely unused. Oops, I forgot, the grass has grown up and it needs a new coat of paint, so forget about that because it's outdated.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to vote against that thing.

RICHARD D. ROTHENBERGER
Beaumont
Published: Wed., Sept. 19

It appears that the Beaumont Independent School District board and administrative staff have finalized plans for the potential bond issue. It also appears that the board and staff are continuing to be elusive and evasive respective to the South Park High School building. Terms such as "saved, if possible" and "as much of the façade may be used as possible" still do not succinctly address this issue.

The question remains, "Is the BISD board going to recommend demolition of this historic structure?" This elusiveness leads me to believe that if the bond issue passes, then BISD will be able to do whatever it chooses with this money, including tearing down this building. At this point, it would be too late for citizens to save this building.

A greater question arises out of this controversy, one that has not been asked. As a former member of the South Park ISD district, it was always noted that the South Park ISD impeccably maintained all of its properties. It appears that the current BISD board and administration have allowed some buildings to become run down from not receiving adequate annual maintenance.

Why should I think that any more money would be appropriately spent this time around to maintain all buildings? Do not throw good money after bad.

Accountability should be paramount here. Vote no.

DON WADE
Beaumont
Published: Thu., Sept. 6<

In its infinite wisdom, the BISD school board and administration chose to ignore the recommendations from The Enterprise editorials to split the bond package if it had any chance of passing.

I am in favor of a bond package. However, I am not in favor of this bond package. There have been too many fluctuations over the year in the dollar amount the BISD is requesting. The BISD has yet to explain "unrelated expenses" and who will be trusted to manage this large sum of money. The voters should have been informed of this before they were asked to vote on this size of a bond package.

The creditability of the BISD has been diminished by conflicting statements and inconsistent dollar figures.

According to statements made by co-chair Dr. David Teuscher in the Aug. 31 Enterprise, "Now it's up to us to help educate the voters."

I ask Dr. Teuscher how can a $30 million athletic complex and natatorium educate anyone? Don't you think $30 million could be better spent on education in the class room? That is where the future of our children lies.

I strongly urge the voters of Beaumont to turn out in force on Nov. 6 and vote to defeat this bond package.

ROBERT THOMPSON
Beaumont
Published: Wed., Sept. 5<

Well, the BISD has finally called for a bond election. I don't know if they have all their ducks in a row as yet, but they should have followed The Enterprise's suggestion and present the bond request as several different proposals.

To me, a hugely unpopular part of the package is what is referred to as the athletic complex. The football stadium included in this complex is absolutely unnecessary.

I have written previously that there are very, very, very few school districts, if any at all, in Texas that provide a football stadium for each high school. Yet there are many districts that provide but one stadium for the use of as many as eight or nine high schools.

Beaumont already has a stadium, namely the Babe Zaharias stadium that was purposely built at a neutral site for the use of all present and future district high schools.

While the proposed complex includes a natatorium, and that may sound nice, voters should remember that the largest part of this item is the unnecessary and wasteful expenditure for a stadium whose only purpose is to satisfy certain people's egos.

People, be careful what you vote for.

AL PROSSER
Beaumont
Published: Wed., Sept. 5

Updated 10/09/2007 05:14:53 PM CDT