Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

I am writing to inform voters about the reasons I am seeking re-election to the Sisters School Board.

I care about our children and have a demonstrated record of that caring. I've served on the School Board for four years and on the School Budget Committee for five years. Beyond these responsibilities, I have contributed at least 100 hours a year in our schools.

Much of this time has been as a volunteer coach for the high school and middle school wrestling teams. Amongst other things, I've also been a SMART reader and Site Council member for both the elementary and middle schools.

My four years of service on the school board provides a wealth of background information about local school issues. Before my election four years ago I spent a year attending board meetings -- learning more about the policy questions before the board.

My board colleagues chose me to be the board chair in this very busy year. We've just completed a thorough process to choose a new superintendent and will complete the new high school ahead of schedule and on budget.

I also serve on two statewide committees for the Oregon School Boards Association. In early May I will complete an eight-day leadership program offered by OSBA. In addition to the information gathered at these workshops, I've made friends on other school boards throughout the state.

These relationships have been exceedingly helpful in our recent superintendent search.

My professional background provides a good fit with school board service. As a college professor, I teach courses in public finance and public policy analysis. As a teacher for 35 years, I understand classroom issues.

I hope you will support my bid for re-election to the Sisters School Board.

Sincerely,

Jeff Smith

Editor's note:

"Letters to the Editor" provides an open forum for candidates for elective office and their supporters to state their views. Letters will be selected to give an equal opportunity and fair treatment to all candidates as space constraints allow.

Jim Cornelius

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To the Editor:

At the April 7 School Board meeting a discussion evolved with the board members, the Project Manager Bob Martin and Superintendent Steve Swisher. It became embarrassing!

Apparently, only a few weeks earlier the board voted 4-to-1 "that no funds (for school furnishings and equipment) be spent without prior board approval. (The Nugget, April 2).

During the April 7 meeting, comments, questions and dialogue by Mr. (Steve) Keeton centered on his being adamant about seeing and approving any expenditure on the estimated $110,000 for telephone equipment. Mr. Keeton reminded Mr. Swisher and Mr. Martin of the 4-1 vote.

Then the GULP happened! It slipped out that the yet-to-be-approved telephone equipment was already on order! There was obvious squirming and embarrassment shown by Messrs. Martin and Swisher. The board appeared shocked that the recent 4 to 1 vote had been ignored.

When it was learned that the equipment had been ordered only three or four days prior to the "4 -1 Board Approval" vote there was dismay that the board had not been advised at that time of the already on-order equipment.

It seems that all processes for the new high school are ramrodded full steam ahead by the superintendent's office.

Resignations of good board members and departures of a high school principal and the superintendent, right at a critical time of the new school's opening makes one wonder about more new surprises, i.e., new bond measures.

Closures of schools in Ashland have occurred due to too many retirees moving in and sending housing prices out of reach of young families. Their "affordable housing units are being bought by people who want to rent them out or who want weekend homes" (The Nugget, April 2). Is this going to happen here?

The Nugget's reporting of the 4-1 vote was comforting -- but then to learn what happened at the board meeting and then not have the $110,000 equipment order reported in The Nugget -- well?

Dave Kell