Editorial from Jon Olinger – Candidate for Fort Wayne Community School Board
Posted by AWB in City & County Government, Health & EducationThis election, at all levels, will be one of the most significant elections of a generation. The race for School Board is no different. Over the past four years as standardized test scores have remained stagnate and our property taxes have been in a state of economic flux Fort Wayne Community Schools has tried to redefine itself.
” Two and a half years ago FWCS paid a consultant $150,000 to come into the district and measure the educational suitability of our buildings (information we should have already known.) I voted against it.
” Two years ago the school board, at the direction of the administration, paid another consultant almost $400,000 to provide “political cover for the board and superintendent” during their attempt do create a massive building project. I voted against it.
” A Short eighteen months ago, the School Board passed a bond that would have lead to $500,000,000.00 dollars of new spending. This bond would have caused the largest tax increase in district history. I stood up for the taxpayer and voted against it.
Over the past twelve years you have seen me stand up for the tax payer and oppose out of control spending. But now let me tell you what I support.
First and foremost being on the School Board is about creating a learning environment in which kids can be successful. It’s about academic achievement, not brick and mortar. It’s about working to enrich our students, not our architects. It’s about creating scholars, not new logos. Academic achievement must be the main focus of our school district.
Second, we must continue to create a safe, disciplined environment for our staff and students. Discipline is a key component to academic achievement.
Third, the district must be accountable to the public. We have made great efforts toward public accountability since the petition drive. The balance scorecard initiative will provide the public with a yard stick to measure our success and I will work to institute more transparency within the district.
Finally, yes, we must maintain our facilities. We need to work toward a responsible facilities plan that repairs the infrastructure of our buildings without asking the tax payer to pay for a wish list of things that are not necessary to improve student achievement.
Over the past twelve years I have stood up for you. Now I ask you to stand up for me. Please Vote for Jon Olinger on November 4th.
Jon J Olinger
FWCS Board of Trustees, District 3
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Are you happy with how our schools are run?
Schaab, Olinger and Mol for the FWCS board
Hello fellow Fort Wayne taxpayers,
With November 4th just days away I wanted to take just a minute to discuss the very important openings on the Fort Wayne Community School Board. If you are not satisfied with the way the current school system is run you have an opportunity to vote for change.
Lets keep in mind that board members, Wendy Robinson the superintendent, school officials and FWCS employees are paid with our hard earned tax dollars. If we are not pleased with their performance we need to let them know!!!!!! It is our children and our money.
Even if you do not have school aged children it is still your money and shouldn’t you get your moneys worth!!!
Schaab, Olinger and Mol opposed the bond issue and in my opinion electing these three to the school board is our best chance for positive change.
The following is from the News Sentinel site:
There are two views of public education in general and FWCS efforts in particular. One view holds that things are generally going pretty well and just need to be tweaked a little. The other holds that things are seriously wrong and need to be turned around dramatically.
It is not universally true, but those for the bond issue tend to hold the former view, and those against it tend to hold the latter one.
you can view the entire artical at:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081020/EDITORIAL/810200316
The following is a portion of an editorial written by Jon Olinger:
” Two and a half years ago FWCS paid a consultant $150,000 to come into the district and measure the educational suitability of our buildings (information we should have already known.) I voted against it.
” Two years ago the school board, at the direction of the administration, paid another consultant almost $400,000 to provide “political cover for the board and superintendent” during their attempt to create a massive building project. I voted against it.
” A Short eighteen months ago, the School Board passed a bond that would have lead to $500,000,000.00 dollars of new spending. This bond would have caused the largest tax increase in district history. I stood up for the taxpayer and voted against it.
You can view his entire editorial at
http://www.fortwaynenews.com/index.php/2008/10/28/editorial-from-jon-olinger-candidate-for-fort-wayne-community-school-board/
Please join me this November 4th in voting for positive change in our school system. We will not have another opportunity to make a change in the school board for anther two years which is why I feel it is so important to let our voice be heard this coming election.
If you agree please cut and past to your email and send to everyone you know in Fort Wayne
Well gee Where was this kind of thinking when the Library jammed 75 million dollars down our neck with nary a care about the public?? Then they have the nerve to name that stupid main hall after Krull…. Jon why aren’t you running for Mayor?? Keep up the great work, but I really don’t mind spending money on schools.