Public Forum:
Was the district's commitment of stimulus dollars a false start? I wondered as I read a recent article if the district jumped the gun by announcing that much-needed renovations will take place at Fairview South. District officials said planned renovations will now be completed in two years instead of the seven originally scheduled. They also went on to say that money will be freed up in the district's budget in later years if the money is allocated now and can be spent on special education later.
The district has not filed a construction application with the Department of Public Instruction to allocate stimulus funds for Fairview South. After this application is filed, DPI must determine the validity of the application. Some of the questions on the application specifically ask the number of students this project will serve and how this keeps with least restrictive environment for students. How can the district say they are spending this money before they have even begun the process?
Next is the buy-in of the other districts that send their students to Fairview South. Have each of those districts agreed to pony up their stimulus funds for this plan? This is still an outstanding issue in the district and a deal-breaker if other districts don't come along.
Finally, how can we anticipate that this $430,000 will be spent in the years to come on special education? Our district is facing a $10 million shortfall over the next 10 years, and I am supposed to trust that this $430,000 will be held in escrow for special education students throughout the district? Originally, this stimulus funding toward Fairview South was a way to reduce the overall district budget for the next five years. Why should we believe district officials when they say this will remain?
Special education has been underfunded in the United States since its inception. The stimulus funds are one way to help even the field in schools around the country. Ask the teachers and parents: What are the needs of all our students in the district? Our district has yet to respond appropriately to people asking questions. It is time for stakeholders to ask the district to be transparent about Fairview South construction. The federal government and the state have created oversight, but for some reason district officials want to tell the newspaper that all is good and they are moving forward as planned.
Sally Flaschberger
Brookfield
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