MCC Schools Refuse to Learn a Lesson

[XLFD]

Yesterday, over 60% of the voters in the Ludington Area School District (LASD) voted to raise their operation millage effectively to 38%, while the Mason County Central (MCC) school district voted down two bond proposals seeking $34,000,000 in bonded debt.

It seems the school board and the superintendent didn't learn anything from the first two bond proposals that failed in May 2022 and 2023.  The May 2022 proposal heralded a 'performing arts center' remodeling around the auditorium with additional improvements on the high school.  The May 2023 proposal put the auditorium work in the background, delayed its construction, stressed security upgrades over reconstruction, and was reduced by $3M, part of that reduction came by dropping the notion of artificial turf at Spartan Stadium and a couple of other small projects.  

Immediately after their defeat six months ago, they made some quick decisions; in their defense they needed to be quick to get it on the November ballot and they had little time to figure out why they went down to defeat again-- nor did they seem to care as they effectively put the same bond in front of the people again with two changes.  They split the bond in two, separating the auditorium project from the security/construction upgrades and they jumped the price back to the $34M mark, nearly half a million more than the first bond issue that failed miserably.

In marketing their two retread proposals, they focused on stained and falling ceiling tiles:

One wonders why they didn't spend a few hundred dollars on replacement ceiling tiles and have a maintenance worker put them up when they noticed these  two years ago before the first bond was sought.  Why do that when you can use them to sell citizens on the need for a bond, while in the same breath telling the public what good stewards they are with the many millions they get each year?

Similar short videos have Sheriff Kim Cole talking about security systems needed, while showing adequate, already-in-operation security systems and the musical director claiming the current auditorium is currently used as a storage room.  It's amazing how bad the marketing was this time around; you think they would learn something from failure.  

But they didn't, and I honestly thought the voters would allow the first proposal to pass by a slim margin just out of frustration and/or appeasement.  But it didn't happen, its defeat squeaked by with about a dozen vote margin, and the second proposal only scored less than 36% of the vote.  Had you told me that Prop 1 would have won big in the City of Scottville, modestly in voter-rich Amber and Riverton Townships, but still lose, I wouldn't have believed you.  But it did, and the people pushing for it have nobody to blame but themselves, once again.

But don't expect them to learn their lesson.  Knowing that it won't pass in the presidential election of next year, expect them to spend another $60,000 of money they could be using partially for replacing ceiling tiles in holding another special May election.  Expect most of these three time losers to shoot for May 2024 and hope for voter fatigue with a similar proposal with cosmetic changes and a new focus on marketing they haven't tried.  Rather than take an extra year and figure out what the voters want and can afford at these uncertain times. 

Rather than scold taxpayers who won't pony up a few hundred dollars more each year, an amount which can be the difference between keeping a roof over their children's heads, maybe figure out why you professional idiots can't devise a more palatable proposal that sells itself, even to the outlying townships.  But will this happen.  Not likely.  

Head cheerleader Rob Alway reports:  "The majority of voters in the Mason County Central School District sent another message Tuesday that supporting education is not a priority as they defeated both millage proposals."

“Proposal 1 was dedicated to needs that will not be going away,” Superintendent Jeff Mount said. “A large part of our high school is in need of a major upgrade. It’s disappointing to hear that people voted no because they no longer have children in the school district. Who do they think supported the school when they were students? A community needs to take responsibility and provide safe and adequate facilities for its children to learn in... It’s just a really sad day for our children.”

It's a real sad day for our children when our superintendent and their media sympathizers have no empathy for the taxpayers and parents of the district who do their best to provide the best for their own children.  Do not scold them for their decision to keep some of their own money to replace their own ceiling tiles and provide security and more at the place where their children spend a lot more time in than their school.  Understand them and fashion a better proposal with that understanding at the forefront.  Let us know what each improvement costs and argue over whether it's a good purchase.  Next time around. 

[Freedom Seeker]

Excellent. I think you should start a radio program called "THE OTHERSIDE OF THE STORY." Although I have no ponies in MCC, I had to read your story. Shame on Rob Alway for belittling the voters. Is his wife a teacher? MCC lazy to fix the ceiling ... shame on you. Teach the children a lesson about using taxpayer money frugally.

[XLFD]

That reminds me of a story that I've pretty much had to keep under my hat regarding former WMOM owner Patrick (Martin) Lopeman.  He occasionally had issues with the City of Ludington while starting the WMOM tradition of allowing them plenty of free airtime each week to talk about city issues and weekend happenings in the downtown-- most of that came from the community development director and the DDA communications and marketing director who, through their attitudes and actions, made it a lot easier for him to sell his station shortly after WMOM was honored as the MI radio station of the year.  

Anyway, he noticed early on that even though I was a bit of a firecracker inside of a loose cannon that I had an interesting point of view that definitely clashed with the city but was generally well thought out, researched, and sometimes even entertaining.  He saw the Ludington Torch/Pitchfork as a viable source of information, me as someone whose views were often akin to his, and my voice as an alternative to the often-bland pablum the city would dispense.  When comparing notes at times about local events and policies, he seriously considered giving me a weekly program to air my viewpoint at a couple different times.

While I definitely have a face made for radio and think that I could have had enough information to fill a slot or two each week, in the end of such discussions we would mutually conclude that it would potentially upset too many people to make it a good business venture on his part.  I was too truthful of a friend of his to get myself on the radio and make things worse for him, and that's OK. 

The guy had a great sense of humor, shutting his station down on April Fool's Day without any explanation of what was going down, and keeping it off the air for a year when new owners restarted his baby.  I just checked up on him through his social media page, and he's still doing crazy stuff over there in Wisconsin, but none as crazy as bringing a second radio station to the Ludington airwaves and making it a roaring success for twenty years through a lot of innovations and community outreach efforts.  

The current WMOM owners blocked me from their social media and have totally ignored my efforts to make the city better, because they are wise enough to know who to cuddle with to get more butter on their bread and who to turn their shoulder on to curry even more oleo from city hall.  

[Barney Reinberg]

"Wake the town and tell the people"

[stump]

  Many years ago when I was a kid there was a segment on the WKLA radio station called I believe  ludington Speeks ? Mom and Dad would listen in to see what the latest info that people were complaining about that was not published in the News Paper. Don't know when that stopped on the station as I moved away but I think it was a popular program at the time. 

[XLFD]

You are not mistaken, there was a "Ludington Speaks" and Big George Wilson reminisced about it about it in the COLDNews column he wrote.  In these hypersensitive times, you won't likely catch something like this unless it's been pre-recorded and content-edited by the media outlet in control.  I wouldn't mind doing something like hosting Ludington Speaks (FYI, I already am but not over the radio), but I would need a sympathetic broadcaster that was invested in it.  Call-in radio still works in most markets.

[stump]

 To ad another note , where I'm at today the local news paper has a  daily column that allows citizens to Sound Off on any subject that they feel needs attention or at least they think it does .  What they think of political adds , business procedures , city government and more.  Of course this wouldn't work for the  Ludington Daily News as nobody reads it.  Times have changed and what used to be the days of Walter Cronkite where we heard the news and trusted what he said to be true are over .  As per examples , Did you hear what happened at the Nations Capital last weekend on the major news stations ?, Nope ,why?  

[Barney Reinberg]

X:

I had the same feeling about Prop. 1 as you.  I thought it was almost certain to pass.  After reading through the proposal, I think I understand why it did not pass.  Also, mileages in Whitehall and Grand Haven failed as well.  I guess those voters sent the message "supporting education is not a priority" in those districts as well.  Cheer up Rob, much more ad revenue for you in the upcoming month.  On a personal note, I voted "yes" on prop 1 and "no" on 2.

[XLFD]

Please share your thoughts on why you think Prop 1 failed and why it was ballot language that ultimately did it in. 

When one considers that MCC has an annual budget over $18 million, mostly through taxation of local property, they should be highly offended by MCC's most prominent spokesmen (Superintendent Mount and Rah-Rah-Rob) lecturing to them about their priorities and responsibilities.  Converse thinking shows that If the school tightened its belt and was able to spirit just 5% of what it brings in per year to put towards wish-list bond projects, they could fund Prop 1 and Prop 2 over the next 30 years with plenty left over.

[woodsman]

Well the reason I feel it failed was because the talk was the security was the big most important issue is what we heard . I talked around and most where behind that issue pertaining to security and the leadership agreed security was number one issue.  OK then the Props come out and security was held hostage just like the other 2 votes we could only get the most important issue if the loaded up prop is pasted. That did not work in the previous 2 votes when we where told security was #1 importance.  Would think Christman Construction [C.C.] is guiding the school officials and are relied upon to get the vote through, they services would not be needed for a small security update but a loaded up prop would suit C.C. much better. Talked to a engineering company rep. not anything to do with C.C. and was told the more the voters know about the issue the least chance it gets approved on a vote, might I add this is a huge engineering firm. The retired community got blamed for not caring about the kids is what MCP and Sup. Mount went right to for the failure. But the parents of the school kids must not have been out in force to support the prop 1 or 2 and that lies on them.  Also the news said the average family sends over$1200 more per month these days than a few years ago and could just be the finances are just not there for many right now.....

[Barney Reinberg]

Upgrades to Spartan Community Field.  More specifically, new restroom facilities.  I went into the voting booth and read over the proposals making sure I voted correctly.  When I read over Prop 1 with the new bathroom facilities, I had a feeling this was not good.  It is almost like Mount and the board cannot help themselves.  They tell the citizens here is our "needs" bond and they throw bathrooms into the proposal.

I'll never vote "no" when it comes to improving athletic facilities.  I held my nose and voted "yes" on the first bond vote even though it included the "Theater" (English Accent).  

While I'm here, the security improvements are a bit confusing to me as well.  They want to upgrade the entrances to the buildings.  OK, who is not going to vote "yes" for increased security?  Even the most hardened "my kid no longer goes to school"   could be easily swayed to vote yes.  After doing a bit of research on school shootings, none of the assailants came through the front door.   The closet was Sandy Hook where the assailant shot out a window next to the front door to gain access.  Other shootings were side doors.  Excluding Columbine due to a homemade bomb (that did not detonate) was the initial plan.

X, as you pointed out in your column these are uncertain times.  Current economic trends seem to be going in the wrong direction.  Cost of living for the average American is ever increasing.  Gas prices continue to be high.  The get Covid money grab is all but gone.  Now the bill is due, and taxes will increase.  It's difficult to maintain a household and pay out more in taxes.

Unfortunately, at MCC a bond proposal that includes anything related to athletics is nearly an "insta no".  Thats why Prop 1 went "down the toilet" in my opinion.

[XLFD]

 

The primary idea the vote this last Tuesday settled was that MCC voters were in agreement with President Lincoln.  Remember, however, that when you are trying to convey "theater" in an English accent on print media, you should use the English spelling "theatre", otherwise your British pedigree will be in question. 

The primary lesson relearned this time around was that the outlying districts are still not on board with seeing value in the core projects.  As you note, a school can have the best security systems and even SROs, but still fall prey to a school shooter dedicated to his vile craft.  

I would disagree that athletic facilities included in these millages doom them to failure, I actually believe they would help get it over the top.  As you know, the COS has let McPhail Field deteriorate over the years, the tennis courts I used to play on regularly as a youngster over decades ago have never been upgraded since that time and have been unplayable for a long time.  COS leadership views McPhail's Field as a drain on their revenue already, and aren't likely going to do anything in the foreseeable future.  People in the districts served by MCC need to go to Ludington to play tennis or its trendy cousin, pickleball.

For about $600,000, the school could install 4 tennis courts, convertible to 8 pickleball courts with minimal effort.  In summer, Ludington's pickleball courts at Oriole Field fill up quite often that they want more courts around Ludington.  A lot of these people, mostly in a high-voting demographic, live in the MCC district and may support a proposal with this in it, even if they see no other reason for supporting their school otherwise.  The students can once again play racket sports during PE and someday maybe MCC could have a tennis team.  The only maintenance required is resurfacing, which should be done about every 8 years at what would be a cost of around $30K total for all courts, much less than the annual care of a quality grass football field (and way less than a fake turf field).

You have to appeal to the likely voters and those in the outlying areas, this is just one reasonably cheap (in terms of $34M bonds) idea to do both.  Having a breakdown on the actual costs of each proposed project would help the citizens see whether these bonds are of value to them, or just of value to Christman and the architect GMB.  MCC alumni apparently are smart enough to see that, unlike those in Ludington's school district who blithely spent a lot of money to make a lot of problems in their 2019 bond and haven't realized much of value, as I see it.