The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V29
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*************February 28, 2000*************
Recently, I received the following letter from LISD Superintendent Jack Patton:
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Llano Independent School District
200 East Lampasas
Llano, Texas 78643
February 23, 2000
Mr. Tim Chorney
Rt. 2, Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609
Dear Mr. Chorney:
I am responding to your letter dated February 18, 2000, inquiring about
our recognized schools billboards. As I previously stated, there are
currently only two billboards concerning our recognized schools
displayed in this county. Your second question was concerning the
funding of these billboards. They were both paid for by Chuck Fields of
Fields and Associates in Austin, Texas.
Mr. Chorney, I have a few questions for you and I would be grateful if you would respond to the following:
1. Are you against publicizing the great job our students do on a daily basis?
2. Are you against attracting perspective residents to move into
our school district causing our tax base to grow as opposed to no
growth or possibly decreased population which would reduce our school
revenue and possibly result in raised taxes?
3. Are you aware that of the $1.47 M&O tax rate, 17 cents must
be sent to the state in the form of recapture which means our district
is operating on $1.30 tax rate? This is higher than we would like but
still lower in comparison than other area and state schools.
I encourage you to make a point to visit our facilities. For the
most part, they are well maintained but very inadequate, over crowded
and old. I welcome your input on ways to improve our schools.
Sincerely,
Jack Patton
Superintendent
JP:gs
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Public thanks to the Superintendent for quickly responding to my letter
of Feb. 18. Yes, Jack. I'd be quite happy to fully respond to your
questions, and the rest of your letter. ... Then, I'll have a few for
you.
First, I have no objection to "publicizing the great job our
students do on a daily basis", -- provided the taxpayers are not looted
to do so. LISD already receives free publicity courtesy of KHLB and
area newspapers. Should this publication become one, you'll certainly
receive it here.
Sadly, both LISD billboards, however, have absolutely nothing to do
with publicity for our students. The advertising is no more than a
self-serving pat on the back for you, other administrators, and your
cronies on the Board. Indeed, where is your judgement?
How can you accept such sponsorship when taxpayers suffered an
outrageous increase in taxes this past year? Why not give taxpayers a
break and ask Mr. Fields to partially defray the cost of teachers'
salaries, instead of supporting self-serving billboards benefiting
management? ... Or is that not in Mr. Field's best interest?
Readers should understand Mr. Patton knew his letter would be
published. He had the opportunity to thoroughly set the record
straight, and again chose not to. Why? Extracting information from our
bureaucrats is akin to pulling teeth. As usual, the Superintendent's
incomplete response has generated numerous additional questions
requiring investigation such as the following: Has LISD used taxpayer
dollars to promote or encourage population growth? Who is Chuck Fields?
Is he a publicist? If not, what does his firm do? What is the nature of
his relationship to Patton and his cronies on the School Board, or to
other county officials? Indeed, what is his interest in LISD? Has he
ever received financial renumeration from LISD or any other County
officials?
Mr. Patton asserts: "As I previously stated, there are currently
only two billboards concerning our recognized schools displayed in this
county." Were there any others displayed earlier? If so, where and who
paid for them? Are there any currently or previously displayed OUTSIDE
this County? If so, where and who paid for them? The questions could go
on and on. Again, the Superintendent's response is sadly lacking and
incomplete. ... This is Llano County, isn't it? ... It's also NOT the
end of the matter....
Ever bother to think of the taxpayers, Jack? Instead of
questionably using leftover bond funds on new projects, why not do
something truly novel and return the loot to the taxpayers? Remember?
It DID come from the people, didn't it? ... Wouldn't hear of it, would
you?
In response to your second question, Mr. Patton, since when has
growth EVER paid for itself? It certainly hasn't here. I've owned
property in this County since June 1984. For the last 16 years, and
along with other taxpayers, we've only seen our taxes increase, --
despite phenomenal growth. The problem is indeed county-wide.
I resided in Austin for years. Indeed, growth never paid for itself
there either. Nor has it any where else I've lived in the country. On
the contrary. Increased growth has ALWAYS resulted in skyrocketing
taxes, -- usually in direct proportion to one another. Your question is
disingenuous, my friend, and based on theory never seen in reality.
Sadly, such theory, however, is directly responsible for urban sprawl
and egregious inner-city problems. Want it here?
More pointedly, why doesn't growth pay for itself? Simply put,
because of the endless greed of school administrators, other public
officials, and selfish special interests who never get enough.
Regardless of population growth or the lack thereof, our taxes WILL
rise. Count on it. Again, since when have they not? Our corrupt
officials will have it no other way. Just as pointedly, it continues
because we tolerate it. The current LISD budget is some $15,225,384.
Our officials spend approximately 40% more per student than the
national average at private schools. Why? Simply put, it's the
egregious waste and corruption.
In response to your third question, Jack, I'm well aware of
"recapture" or what is more commonly known as "Robin Hood." If you had
taken the time to read this publication, you would have seen it
pointedly criticized numerous times, -- as early as the April 12, 1999
edition.
As repeatedly stated on this website, our area was declared a
property-rich school district due to the egregious over-appraisal of
properties all along the Highland Lakes' chain from Tow to Horseshoe
Bay. ... Deliberately, by our illustrious Chief Appraiser Gary Eldridge
as well as his predecessors. Why? The Lakes' Area is the cash cow for
the rest of the County. Now, we're not only shafted and looted by the
County, but by the State as well, -- to the tune of some $2,271,306
yearly. "Robin Hood." Aren't we lucky? Thanks, Gary.
Interestingly, LISD School Board member Bill Kirkman and two of his
cronies were reportedly appointed directors to the Appraisal District
Board last year. If true (and figuratively speaking), isn't this a bit
too "incestuous" as well as clearly NOT in the best interest of the
taxpayers? ... Don't think Kirkman or his friends will pressure
Eldridge and the "Boys" to end their egregious gouging of the Lakes'
Area, do you? All joking aside and most pointedly, Kirkman and other
LISD officials would be placing intense pressure on our Chief Appraiser
if they were in fact truly concerned about Robin Hood or the gouging.
They're not. As his first two questions, the Superintendent's third is
just as disingenuous.
Having fully answered your questions Mr. Patton, I indeed have a
few for you. Think Microsoft, Intel, Dell, IBM, or any other employer
cares whether our students have lighted tennis courts? Readers are
reminded taxpayers were recently legally looted some $26,600 for this
outrageous project. Think it will make our kids any more employable
after graduation? What about the related windscreen project? Readers
certainly wouldn't want our little darlings to miss a serve due to a
gust, would we? What did it cost, Jack? Again, will it make our
graduates any more employable? As the erudite elite might say, "Tennis,
anyone?" Why stop with the tennis courts, Jack? Let's build a health
spa for our little darlings. ... Why not? ... Wouldn't want to legally
loot the taxpayers? -- Never stopped you or the Board before.
What about LISD vendors? Are they required to be bonded?
Apparently, one was not. Remember the duplicate $32,000 payment for the
press box? Credible sources last year alleged the contractor was
unbonded. Falling ill and then divorced, he declared bankruptcy,
leaving the taxpayers holding the bag. What about it Jack? If untrue,
care to set the record straight?
Sadly, Mr. Patton, there are many other unanswered questions. I
certainly accept your invitation to visit our school facilities. Would
you kindly personally conduct the tour? Besides clearing the air, it
will give us a chance to chat, and more importantly, for you to answer
numerous remaining questions regarding the egregious waste.
Interestingly, the Superintendent called for input on improving our
schools. Sadly, I could write a book. Although not an "educator" with
some twenty years of experience as Mr. Patton, I spent several years
employed as a substitute teacher while attending graduate school. -- A
baptism of fire on the secondary level in the overcrowded, underfunded
"blackboard jungles" of the Northeast. ... Certainly an unforgettable
learning experience, no? All joking aside, many of the problems
currently experienced here had their origin some 25 years ago on both
east and west coasts. Sadly, the rest of the country failed to benefit
from the lessons learned.
Then as now, the roots of our educational problems are two-fold: 1.
Too many parents who couldn't care less and have no time for their
children. 2. Bumbling school administrators who are little more than
governmental bureaucrats, sadly too enamored with their comfy, cozy,
highly-paid positions. More pointedly, these "educators" are guided
only by their own narrow self-interests and over-inflated egos. Equally
pointedly, they've sadly lost touch with reality. -- To say nothing of
the taxpayers' best interests. Between uncaring parents and worthless
administrators, our teachers don't stand a fighting chance. More have
left the profession nationwide due to frustration with both, than
inadequate salaries or poor public image.
Why aren't administrators forced to spend half their professional
time teaching in the classroom? Several problems would be immediately
solved. First, principals and other higher level officials such as our
Superintendent would have a far better understanding of current
problems facing teachers.
Second, they would have far less time to spend generating endless
paperwork. Third, they'd be harder-pressed to find new ways of
egregiously wasting taxpayer dollars. (Less time and energy. Trust me.)
Fourth, there would be far less opportunity to harass students on petty
matters such as pierced ears covered by a child's hair. Jack, be sure
to take a look at Reader Letters V2 for a complaint lodged by Rebecca
Ervi against one of your cronies. -- Apparently, this bumbling
bureaucrat has nothing better to do. Fifth, with administrators
spending time in the classroom, fewer teachers would be required,
saving taxpayer dollars. ... Wouldn't want that. Right, Jack?
More pointedly, how can you improve our educational system when you
can't even keep the kids in the classroom? Readers should understand
students were dismissed shortly after noon Friday, Feb. 25. Why? So our
little darlings could be bussed to Kingsville for a 6pm girls varsity
basketball game. Indeed, what comes first, Jack? Education or sports?
Think any employer truly cares whether students excelled athletically?
As current business leaders might say, "It's the academic skills,
stupid."
Why aren't these distant games scheduled only on weekends? While
sports and other extracurricular activities are truly important to
development, they come second to the classroom.. ... Years ago, they
certainly did. Apparently, no longer. Yet, our employers justifiably
constantly complain of inadequately educated employees. Interesting,
isn't it? Time for our "educators" to finally wake up.
Worse yet, both the elementary and middle schools were also
dismissed early. Why? -- Bus scheduling problems due to the trip to
Kingsville. A loving grandmother, frequently babysitting her 8-year-old
grandson while at work herself, informed me this happens routinely
whenever there is a distant athletic event. Why? What about it Jack?
Care to confirm it? If untrue, I'll certainly publish your response.
_The Ledger visitor count stands in excess of 8400. Sadly, there
continues to be no financial support, despite snowballing readership.
.... Why pay for it when you can get it for "free"? Right? With growing
public interest, our cowardly area businesses will sooner or later take
advantage of the market represented by this expanding readership. While
I can certainly understand the fear and subsequent reluctance of
businesses to advertise, it is the failure of the readership to
financially support this publication that disturbs me most. Indeed,
WHERE is YOUR courage and generosity? When will you do your part,
instead of selfishly taking what you can get? If this publication is
apparently good enough to be read by so many, why isn't it being
financially supported? Damned pitiful.
As repeatedly asserted, the pop-up and banner advertising belongs
to Maxpages. _The Ledger receives no income from either, and remains
non-profit. As always, this publication needs and appreciates donations
from readers. Sadly, no other publication is willing to challenge
corrupt and abusive officials. Readers can expect continued aggressive,
relentless, officious, tireless pursuit of our most egregious
offenders. -- Figuratively speaking, a "take no prisoners" approach,
regardless of whose toes are stepped on, feathers ruffled, tail
feathers plucked, or beak tweaked. Things CAN change in our community.
Be part of it. Help me to help you. Support this publication.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:25pm EDT