- Posted by David on November 18, 2009
Some random thoughts about the levy, in no particular order of importance. More to come, as time permits or as questions arise.
1. The mean spirited nature of the anti-levy, anti-teacher, anti-public education...crew continues to spew forth even after the resounding results of the levy passage. See last week's edition of the Suburban News. I don't believe a single, allegedly, conciliatory word of it, not a one. Show me by action, not by empty word which is all that I have seen thus far, that you mean what you say and I'll moderate, maybe, my views. Until then, keep with the specious analogies and hiding behind letters to the editor and guest columns, it suits them best.
2. The levy passed, IMHO, for several reasons. One was that the district took control of the message and rejected attempts by the anti-levy forces to narrow the focus. Worthington Schools has much to be proud of but, for reasons I will keep to myself, school administrators seem almost fearful about tooting their own horns. So, while vicious lies and half=truths get spread on the internet, in letters to the Editor and through anonymous postcards, we have, in the past, grinned and borne it.
This time was different, very different, we had a message and we were not going to let a small group of never-contents control it. I think passage of the levy was a foregone conclusion once we stood up and got out to the community the message of the wonderful school district that was in peril. So many people came up to me and told me that they hadn't realized, because the last 2 operating levy campaigns were so subdued, the financial problems besetting districts like Worthington. Many, many seniors and empty-nesters told me that they were voting for the levy for a number of reasons [grandchildren, property values, support public education] but a common thread was they were proud of the schools that they had invested their time in, that had educated their children/grandchildren and they were not going to let that valuable asset be destroyed. This correlates to the result that the Worthington Wards passed the levy by a higher percentage than the Columbus Wards. Most of the seniors I spoke to lived in Worthington City and were, and are, very proud of the District [as am I].
3. The levy passed because we clearly communicated the consequences of levy failure. Of course, the anti-levyites [laughably identified by the Cols. Dispatch as "watchdogs" arf, arf] labeled such a list as a threat list. Bah! I advocated for such a list since January. As a parent of children in the district, I have always wanted to know what I was voting for and what would happen if the levy passed or failed. Not a threat, information. Surprising how those who clamor for public engagement then clam up and cry foul when information is actually provided that lets the public know what is at stake. I suppose spreadsheets and pie charts with forecasts of doom and gloom in 4 or 5 years are a different breed of animal. But that's just me. The teacher's union and school administrators got "it" and clearly communicated such through a salary freeze and salary giveback.
4. I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the most important reasons the levy passed - the volunteers. Parents, children, teachers, administrators, seniors, empty-nesters all banded together to protect the children of this district and this community. The wonderful, positive energy that was generated is frankly something I have simply not seen before. Even during the levy repeal campaign, there was not this much positive energy. These folks knew that teachers and programs were at stake and they were willing to fight for what was right. Their energy kept me going even as the anti-levyites pounded away at me. I knew I couldn't let these people down. Lit. drops, phone banks, tailgates, celebrations, coffees, teas, buttons, stickers, cookies [yes Issue 49 cookies!], Mine +9... the list is exhausting and, yet, we never got exhausted. I made so many new friends, and renewed acquaintances with so many old friends. What an experience! I thank each and every one of them.
My Email
- Posted by David on November 11, 2009
Columbus Data Below. Data for Perry, Riverlea and Worthington [very interesting #'s indeed!] coming soon
| PRECINCT | FOR | AGAINST | TOTAL | %FOR |
| COLS 53 | 71 | 64 | 135 | 52.59 |
| COLS 60 | 505 | 320 | 825 | 61.21 |
| COLS 65 | 1,667 | 1,036 | 2,703 | 61.67 |
| COLS 71 | 987 | 692 | 1,679 | 58.78 |
| COLS 72 | 1,787 | 1,242 | 3,029 | 59.00 |
| COLS 74 | 199 | 158 | 357 | 55.74 |
| COLS 80 | 990 | 857 | 1,847 | 53.60 |
| | | | | |
| TOTALS | 6,206 | 4,369 | 10,575 | 58.69 |
- Posted by David on November 8, 2009
Since many have asked, I wanted you to know that my thoughts on the 11/3/09 levy results are coming soon. I am gathering data as I write and hope to have something in the next week or two.
As I put these thoughts together, I must thank those of you who contacted me over the past months with questions, concerns and compliments. While true that there were a few very visible leaders in the levy campaign, this tremendous result could not have been accomplished without the unsung efforts of hundreds of volunteers and the votes of the thousands who showed up Tuesday. As Board President this year, I was determined that my legacy would not be that this District faced multiple levy defeats, and the resultant emasculation of our District, without a fight. As we beat back the anti-levy, anti-public education, anti-teacher, anti-teacher union forces [although they vociferously denied all of my descriptions and, in fairness, these were not the only folks who opposed the levy, just the most vocal and most disingenuous] and preserved this District, I came into contact with so many wonderful, energetic, positive people [parents, recent empty-nesters, students, seniors, long lost friends] that my belief remains that this District will continue to achieve its educational mission for many years to come. Thanks.