Please scroll to the 54:20 mark to see a ridiculous comparison between a US Representative voting on a law and a school board member deciding the district needs to sell bonds without voter approval. Yes, at the time it was legal, even though the ethics of circumventing the voters to raise public debt is questionable to many. In fact, the practice was so questionable, the law was changed on October 1, 2009, preventing the practice of school boards going around the voters to sell OPEB bonds. How did circumventing the voters work for the Minnetrista City Council in regard to funding the new police station? Two new council members!
To add insult to injury, contrary to the statement, "we didn't have to cut over $1,000,000 because we approved our OPEB dollars," none of the OPEB funds have been used. What was the urgency? To beat the the law change? It's my understanding, the district had and has the ability to pay as we go. To be sure, if Notch, Mailey and Hejna are elected, there will be no taxation without representation! There will also be a full report on our OPEB account. See what the MN Auditor's office has to say about OPEB bonds.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The "B Team" Stability
Please scroll to the 55 minute mark:
http://windowsmedia.alphameetings.com/LMCCMWTSB/2011westonkaforum.wmv
Hmmmmm...draw your own conclusions! Personally I would have misgivings about a plan to spend $42,000,000 coming from a source who publicly displays an inability to focus to this degree. Do you think someone who puts on such a display during a public forum designed to discuss real issues might be prone to over reaction?
http://windowsmedia.alphameetings.com/LMCCMWTSB/2011westonkaforum.wmv
Hmmmmm...draw your own conclusions! Personally I would have misgivings about a plan to spend $42,000,000 coming from a source who publicly displays an inability to focus to this degree. Do you think someone who puts on such a display during a public forum designed to discuss real issues might be prone to over reaction?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A Campaign Promise to You
I have heard the rumblings since I moved to the area. “A lot of kids in the district open enroll to Orono.” “A lot of kids in the district open enroll to Orono…but a lot of Orono kids open enroll here so it’s a wash.” Until recently, I had never researched the numbers for myself. Upon doing so, the results I found are quite unsettling. First, according to the MN Dept of Education, Westonka school district has been losing enrollment since school year ’95-’96:
1996 2428 2002 2241 2008 2249
1997 2435 2003 2268 2009 2232
1998 2409 2004 2272 2010 2030
1999 2396 2005 2250 2011 2029
2000 2354 2006 2264 2012 2035
2001 2299 2007 2263 2013 2015
Further, Westonka school district does the worst job of any area district at retaining students who live within their district:
School District | Resident Pupil Units | Adjusted Pupil Units | Adjusted Pupil Units/ Pupil Units |
001 Minneapolis | 51412.25 | 37390.8 | 73% |
270 Hopkins | 8266.05 | 8376.69 | 101% |
271 Bloomington | 12125.4 | 11788.42 | 97% |
272 Eden Prairie | 11034.52 | 11033.52 | 100% |
273 Edina | 8506.2 | 9683.43 | 114% |
276 Minnetonka | 8617.07 | 10341.77 | 120% |
277 Westonka | 2922.47 | 2584.21 | 88% |
278 Orono | 2445.67 | 3133.86 | 128% |
279 Osseo | 26643.53 | 23830.73 | 89% |
280 Richfield | 5360.75 | 4839.41 | 90% |
281 Robbinsdale | 14255.39 | 13954.6 | 98% |
282 St Anthony | 1105.39 | 2038.05 | 184% |
283 St Louis Park | 4856.35 | 5122.35 | 105% |
284 Wayzata | 11419.38 | 12220.99 | 107% |
286 Brooklyn Center | 1684.69 | 2449 | 145% |
Source: Hennepin County Taxpayer Services
The chart above is simple to follow. Residential Pupil Units indicates the potential enrollment from within a district's borders. Adjusted Pupil Units, indicates how well a district is capturing potential pupils from within its borders as well as attracting open enrollment. If the second column figure is lower than the first column figure, the district is a net loser of enrollment. At 88%, Westonka School District 277, has some analysis to do, yet we never hear about this dynamic!
If elected by you to the Westonka School Board on November 8, I promise to delve into this long-term and important issue to find causes, answers and create a plan to reverse this disturbing trend.
Pupil Unit definitions:
http://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2010/120-129B/126C/126C_05.html
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=126C.05&year=2009&format=pdf
Give the graph below which was constructed by the MN Dept of Education and its meaning a few moments of consideration:
Tom Notch
I know some members of our community have mixed feelings about Tom Notch. This is probably due in large part, to the considerable amount of time spent during school board meetings that are dedicated to attacking him. Why does this occur? Because those who control the school board, do not like being questioned, challenged or exposed to transparency. Watch a board meeting at http://www.lmcc-tv.org/westonka-school-board.html or watch the League of Women Voters Forum [OPEB]. They certainly feel they were elected to make decisions, and never be questioned.
Recently, [10/10/11] another school board meeting was interrupted during debate on the referendum before us. A board member screamed at Tom Notch, that he [Tom Notch] was only on the board to protect his own pocketbook and keep his property taxes low. Think about how preposterous this statement is! First, we have been told over and over how this bond referendum is only going to cost a few dollars per month. For the hours Mr. Notch invests in school board endeavors, he would be better served getting a part-time job at PDQ, if his motivation is to save a few dollars. Secondly, in an effort to save the district money, Mr. Notch does not accept his annual $3000 stipend for serving on the board. Does this sound like someone who serves on the school board merely to save a few dollars each month by derailing a referendum? To me, no, it sounds like someone who is an engineer by training and needs the numbers to make sense to himself and to all stakeholders in the Westonka community.
We never hear about the thousands and thousands of dollars Mr. Notch has saved the district over the years with his expertise. We never hear about his broad spectrum of volunteerism throughout the community. We never see Mr. Notch retaliate or respond in kind to the flagrant attacks cast upon him for simply asking questions. Why? Because he is interested in doing the job he was elected to do instead of playing politics. A large part of that job is insuring accountability. If you would like to see a more transparent, accountable and community centric school board, vote for Tom Notch, Gary Hejna & myself on November 8!
Recently, [10/10/11] another school board meeting was interrupted during debate on the referendum before us. A board member screamed at Tom Notch, that he [Tom Notch] was only on the board to protect his own pocketbook and keep his property taxes low. Think about how preposterous this statement is! First, we have been told over and over how this bond referendum is only going to cost a few dollars per month. For the hours Mr. Notch invests in school board endeavors, he would be better served getting a part-time job at PDQ, if his motivation is to save a few dollars. Secondly, in an effort to save the district money, Mr. Notch does not accept his annual $3000 stipend for serving on the board. Does this sound like someone who serves on the school board merely to save a few dollars each month by derailing a referendum? To me, no, it sounds like someone who is an engineer by training and needs the numbers to make sense to himself and to all stakeholders in the Westonka community.
We never hear about the thousands and thousands of dollars Mr. Notch has saved the district over the years with his expertise. We never hear about his broad spectrum of volunteerism throughout the community. We never see Mr. Notch retaliate or respond in kind to the flagrant attacks cast upon him for simply asking questions. Why? Because he is interested in doing the job he was elected to do instead of playing politics. A large part of that job is insuring accountability. If you would like to see a more transparent, accountable and community centric school board, vote for Tom Notch, Gary Hejna & myself on November 8!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Consultants, YES People & Leaders Asleep At The Switch
Please take a few minutes to read this article and browse the comments. Draw your own conclusions as you count the CYA's. Who couldn't see this coming in 2005, when gas first hit $3 a gallon??? Outer ring real estate markets shut down over night. The contraction of the metro inward was inevitable! Sure makes a person wonder where we would be today had the Bott's and Bremer thrust to spend $125,000,000+ on expansion come to fruition? How much cheaper is land today? How much cheaper is debt today? Guess we got off easy with that wild goose chase only costing the district $250,000+ to kick the idea around a bit! That $250k+ sure would have been useful in the preventative maintenance kitty!
On a side note, do you think some of the issues discussed in the article might have something to do with Minneapolis having a higher school tax load at $300k assessed value than Westonka?
On a side note, do you think some of the issues discussed in the article might have something to do with Minneapolis having a higher school tax load at $300k assessed value than Westonka?
Friday, October 21, 2011
Hard To Understand How The "Career" Incumbents Who Are In The Majority Have Allowed This To Happen
While spending your money chasing $125+ million dollar referendums instead of taking care of short term and preventative maintenance needs?
The video is correct in that, "we can do better!" Lets cut out the outrageous waste in the current plan; or at least insure a greater percentage ends up where it belongs, and get this done! All YES and the district want to talk about is the cost per month....the cost per month. Have they not heard, one of the biggest financial mistakes a person or business can make is focusing on the monthly payment instead of the the big picture [total cost]? Ask someone who once had a 1 year adjustable rate mortgage, but is now a renter. Why does a low monthly payment make it ok to leave money on the table? Money that could go to support the facilities and mission of the district instead of to soft costs, inflation contingencies and internet phone systems! Think it through, guys, we are on your side!!
Additional Thoughts On Question 2
The district and YES, describe question 2 as:
Explain to me which category a new, $566,988 [line 388] internet based phone fits into? The $151,640 for new netwok switching [line 389] and expanded wireless $100,000 [line 390] to integrate the new system? Total and add 31% for soft costs and inflation contingency and we are at $1,072,403 that must be financed. 4.6% of question 2.
You can do your own research and determine if you think VoIP is a reliable, cost effective replacement for the district's existing traditional system; which by the way, still works fine. The troubling point for me, is we are being pitched a multi-million dollar maintenance bond to fix leaky roofs, parking lots and boilers and here in the middle of it all is $1,000,000+ of debt for a new phone system.
ns] 
- It would address roofs, exteriors, mechanical/electrical systems, and parking lots.
Explain to me which category a new, $566,988 [line 388] internet based phone fits into? The $151,640 for new netwok switching [line 389] and expanded wireless $100,000 [line 390] to integrate the new system? Total and add 31% for soft costs and inflation contingency and we are at $1,072,403 that must be financed. 4.6% of question 2.
You can do your own research and determine if you think VoIP is a reliable, cost effective replacement for the district's existing traditional system; which by the way, still works fine. The troubling point for me, is we are being pitched a multi-million dollar maintenance bond to fix leaky roofs, parking lots and boilers and here in the middle of it all is $1,000,000+ of debt for a new phone system.
main·te·nance
[meyn-tuh-nuhns] noun
3.
care or upkeep, as of machinery or property: With proper maintenance the car willlast for many years.
4.
means of upkeep, support, or subsistence; livelihood: to provide a comfortable maintenance.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Green Signs Are Disappearing In Westonka
In some countries, people are too afraid to display an election sign for their candidate of choice. Way to honor the men and women who gave all so we can display any sign we choose without giving it a thought................
Thoughts On Question 2
Yes, our facilities have roofing needs that need to be addressed in the near term. If elected, this will be a priority of mine with or without passage of the 2011 bond proposal on the ballot. I don't enjoy having my daughters come home after working out and tell me the weight room leaks any more than anyone else. It is hard to understand how the leaking issues have continued with the 2004 Capital Projects Levy still in place.
Consider for a moment, roofing the district's facilities makes up 15.3% of the Question 2 hard dollars from Line 488 of the KA estimate dated 7/13/2011. [2,725,928/17,786,259] Next, add 31% for inflation contingency & soft costs to bring the total cost estimate to roof the district's facilities to $3,570,965. [1.31 x 2,725,928] Inflation contingency and soft costs are effectively increasing the cost to roof the district's facilities by $845,037. Keep in mind, KA's profit margin is already factored into the original $2,725,928.
A 6% inflation contingency [line 415] tacked onto this portion [roofing] of the estimate?? Wouldn't the work start ASAP/weather permitting spring 2012? Assuming the work will start in April 2012, and the estimate was done in July of 2011, this is assuming an annualized inflation rate of 8%.
25% tacked onto roofing the district's facilities for soft costs [line 417]? What are soft costs? I have been trying to get a detailed answer to that question from the district. I was supplied with this list:
Consider for a moment, roofing the district's facilities makes up 15.3% of the Question 2 hard dollars from Line 488 of the KA estimate dated 7/13/2011. [2,725,928/17,786,259] Next, add 31% for inflation contingency & soft costs to bring the total cost estimate to roof the district's facilities to $3,570,965. [1.31 x 2,725,928] Inflation contingency and soft costs are effectively increasing the cost to roof the district's facilities by $845,037. Keep in mind, KA's profit margin is already factored into the original $2,725,928.
A 6% inflation contingency [line 415] tacked onto this portion [roofing] of the estimate?? Wouldn't the work start ASAP/weather permitting spring 2012? Assuming the work will start in April 2012, and the estimate was done in July of 2011, this is assuming an annualized inflation rate of 8%.
25% tacked onto roofing the district's facilities for soft costs [line 417]? What are soft costs? I have been trying to get a detailed answer to that question from the district. I was supplied with this list:
Architectural Fees for Remodel (different than new) 5.5 to 7%
Mechanical and Electrical – 2 to 3% (pending scope)
Permits – 1%
Testing – 1%
Misc Survey – 1% (varies on area)
Bond – (in today public bid economy) 1%
Misc Owner costs (Staff and misc needs during the project can be charged to a project if district chooses) – 2%
Legal Fees – .5%
Insurances - .5% (depends on your policy in place)
Commissioning per the State of MN – 1 %
Plan Reproduction/advertising for Competitive bidding – .5%
Design Contingency – 5% (highly recommend for remodel)
Construction Contingency – 5% (highly recommend for remodel)
Someone needs to explain to me how some of these costs above can be extrapolated across "roofing" in addition to margin? Here is one answer I received when attempting to get detailed information on this topic:
"The facilities committee spent several meetings on the topic of what the appropriate soft cost percentage should be. At these meetings questions were asked, details were given, and other school district comparisons were used."
Why do we need a middle man + 31% on a roofing project that is such a large portion of the total package? Keep in mind we are financing 100% of the costs of this project. I know an excellent private roofing company in the metro that does industrial/commercial roofing worldwide. What are the chances they can do this for a lot less? Even if we could save $100,000??
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Dream Big Tops 1000 Visits!
1006 and counting! The only blog that gives you the voter a chance to voice your thoughts! Forward this site today.
School Board Election Fun From Other Districts
I wonder if he had secret email lists to which he sent messages scathing the competition? Nevertheless, I did like this partial quote from one of the commentors on the story:
"Berger's website had the most content of any candidate about himself and his platform. He was the only one to provide online access for voters to ask questions."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Speaking Of Innovators
Check out our QR code!
Give it a try! Surprising the "B Team" has not incorporated this leading edge technology into their campaign.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Analyse The Issues Heavily This Year
Since this is an odd year election, everyone has plenty of time to look through the data and verify it for themselves. Please visit the newly launched site WestonkaBeSmart for additional reference and go from there. Look beyond the tie cutting stunt pulled by the "YES" team during the League of Women Voters forum. Education is a serious business, so please do not allow yourself to be distracted by tactics like this during our televised forum.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Has The "B Team" Been Delivering a Grade B Product?
The chart below is simple to follow. Residential Pupil Units, indicates the potential enrollment from within a district's borders. Adjusted Pupil Units, indicates how well a district is capturing potential pupils from within its borders as well as attracting open enrollment. If the second column figure is lower than the first column figure, the district is a net loser of enrollment. At 88%, 277 has some analysis to do! For some reason, the general public does not see the district as the ship of innovation, long-term incumbents Bremer and Botts painted at last week's League of Women's Voters forum.
NOTE: The data appearing in this post was supplied by Hennepin County Taxpayer Services upon my request. Any conclusions or inferences derived from or developed by its use are strictly the opinion of Don Mailey and not Hennepin County Taxpayer Services!
| School District | Resident Pupil Units | Adjusted Pupil Units | Adjusted Pupil Units/Resident Pupil Units |
| 001 Minneapolis | 51412.25 | 37390.8 | 73% |
| 270 Hopkins | 8266.05 | 8376.69 | 101% |
| 271 Bloomington | 12125.4 | 11788.42 | 97% |
| 272 Eden Prairie | 11034.52 | 11033.52 | 100% |
| 273 Edina | 8506.2 | 9683.43 | 114% |
| 276 Minnetonka | 8617.07 | 10341.77 | 120% |
| 277 Westonka | 2922.47 | 2584.21 | 88% |
| 278 Orono | 2445.67 | 3133.86 | 128% |
| 279 Osseo | 26643.53 | 23830.73 | 89% |
| 280 Richfield | 5360.75 | 4839.41 | 90% |
| 281 Robbinsdale | 14255.39 | 13954.6 | 98% |
| 282 St Anthony | 1105.39 | 2038.05 | 184% |
| 283 St Louis Park | 4856.35 | 5122.35 | 105% |
| 284 Wayzata | 11419.38 | 12220.99 | 107% |
| 286 Brooklyn Center | 1684.69 | 2449 | 145% |
NOTE: The data appearing in this post was supplied by Hennepin County Taxpayer Services upon my request. Any conclusions or inferences derived from or developed by its use are strictly the opinion of Don Mailey and not Hennepin County Taxpayer Services!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The "Estimate"
I'll start with the final page [8] so you can see how quickly $29.9 million becomes $22.8 million--see lines 415 & 417. {Remember, with debt service, we are paying nearly $42 million for these funds} Granted, some degree of the numbers deducted via lines 415 & 417 are normal; but 25 & 6 percent in the current economic environment? Sure, "YES" paints these numbers as estimates, however, if they accept a single estimate with a 31% starting point, where will reality be?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Misleading?
Don't listen to a thing I am going to tell you, call the source: Hennepin County Taxpayer Services @ (612) 596-9124 and ask them:
1. Was this graph created for the purpose it is being used for?
2. Is the manner in which it is being used misleading?
3. Is the data statistically relevant to the case being made?
There are so many things wrong about the use of this data piece for its intended purpose, my list will be a work in progress so check back often. Again, please contact HCTS at the number above and get their impartial take as they created the document. Otherwise, consider:
1. The statistical integrity of Westonka having 3478 homes assessed above $300k, while Brooklyn Center district has..........8.
2. Comparing the Westonka district to an enormous, sprawling school district like Elk River, which is located in a different county.
3. Here's a shocker: Hennepin County Taxpayer Services now says they didn't even prepare the graph as indicated by the district and Yes Westonka--"The attached graph was not "prepared by the Hennepin County Taxpayer Services" as indicated under the title. While the data supporting the graph may have been provided by our office, it is inappropriate to attribute the graph to Hennepin County Taxpayer Services."
Yes Westonka's site and brochure:
http://yeswestonka.com/taxes/
1. Was this graph created for the purpose it is being used for?
2. Is the manner in which it is being used misleading?
3. Is the data statistically relevant to the case being made?
1. The statistical integrity of Westonka having 3478 homes assessed above $300k, while Brooklyn Center district has..........8.
2. Comparing the Westonka district to an enormous, sprawling school district like Elk River, which is located in a different county.
3. Here's a shocker: Hennepin County Taxpayer Services now says they didn't even prepare the graph as indicated by the district and Yes Westonka--"The attached graph was not "prepared by the Hennepin County Taxpayer Services" as indicated under the title. While the data supporting the graph may have been provided by our office, it is inappropriate to attribute the graph to Hennepin County Taxpayer Services."
http://yeswestonka.com/taxes/
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