School budget needs priority adjustments

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:49 AM EDT

We have heard a great deal of propaganda from our school district promoting turf. However, many colleges are removing turf from their playing fields because of the injuries athletes are sustaining. They are replacing the turf with a special type of sod which cushions players when they fall.
I believe that the cost of this expense is not justified in view of this new development.

If we have funds to spend, a more widespread advantage would be to provide drivers' education to every student. This would increase the safety of all of our citizens and also reduce premiums to auto policy holders. Anybody who has driven by the high school early in the morning when students are rushing to class, knows that driving too fast in a reckless manner is the order of the day.

Finally, I would like to mention that New York students cost almost twice as much as any other state in the U.S. It doesn't take much intelligence to add 5, 10, 15 percent to last year's budget, but to reduce the cost per student in our district would require a creative leader.

The only way to teach this lesson to our school leaders is to vote down this year's budget. We must get back to operating from local school up, instead of from the state director down.

Robert Body

Auburn

The Citizens' Say

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There are 6 comment(s)

tlb4 wrote on Apr 16, 2008 3:46 PM:

" What is also a "kink in the rail" is the secretive way in which lobbyist influence our lawmakers. Why can't the governmental processes be open as intended and the public can see the "big three" in Albany negotiating behind the scenes. What also is a shame is lawmakers more worried about their campaigns and pleasure trips financed by lobbyists than acting on behalf of the constituents who elected them. "

nature lover wrote on Apr 16, 2008 2:55 PM:

" Education lobbyists lobby more for compensation and benefits rather than what education really stands for. That is a kink in the rail that shows teachers and administrators are ALL about themselves. "

tlb4 wrote on Apr 16, 2008 2:01 PM:

" School drop-outs are prevented by increased parental involvement in their childs education. The system fails because too many parents avoid their responsibility of making sure their kids stay in school and complete their education. The truth does hurt sometimes. Don't blame the school system. Some of the best students in any school district are athletes who have, along with their parents "figured it out". "

tlb4 wrote on Apr 16, 2008 1:55 PM:

" Mr. Body would you please list what universities are actually removing synthetic turf and replacing it as you wrote? My internet search found 0. The Syracuse Chiefs removed their old antiquated "Astro-Turf" because it was worn- out and the major league club desired natural grass. There is no greater incidence of injuries on synthetic turf versus real grass. Real grass has more head and neck injuries, Synthetic turf players show ligament and extremity injuries.
The Holland Stadium renovation is really a small part of this project, the larger part includes work on all the district schools for plumbing, air handling, boilers, fixing bathrooms,replacing doors etc. The funds made available by the State for this project, listen carefully,CANNOT BE USED FOR DRIVER EDUCATION, BOOKS,OR HIRING TEACHERS.
I do know how we can save some $$. If we had an all-weather synthetic playing field the Auburn Athletic Dept.would not have to pay so much in field rental costs to other districts all Spring. The 1st month (every year) of the Spring Season is spent "out of town" for our athletes because our field (Holland) is unplayable. "

brew1234 wrote on Apr 16, 2008 1:22 PM:

" Show me some data that shows that colleges are removing turf. You are stating false information. Pro teams and colleges are switching to turf by droves. The only ones that are removing turf are the ones that are switching to the more modern turf that protects players from impact with the surface. A choice of drivers ed or turf is not being offered by the state so to suggest that choice is foolish and not possible. Act like you know business and make a business like decision and support turf but not with the expenditure of local tax funds. Make a donation to the fund for turf instead of making up false statistics. "

vinmeister1 wrote on Apr 16, 2008 1:13 PM:

" Robert,

I agree with you 100%. Once again Auburn schools have their priorities wrong and the children will suffer for the shortcomings of those in charge. They also fail in that all that money they spend on these children is returned to the community with a massive percentage of high school drop outs. To me the system is a proven failure and all people want to talk about it turf. Those people should be ashamed. "

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