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What upsets me are tele-marketers, reality shows and school boards and administrators that make decisions without researching all possible consequences.

Closing the Longville campus more than likely will be the demise of ISD 118. Board members were warned by more than myself that closing Longville would cause an exodus of students (actually more than I thought), and a loss of support of the taxpayers that fund the majority of the property tax revenue to the district. Any type of referendum would not be supported and would never pass.

I've talked to numerous people from all walks of life and I'm still waiting to have one person say they would support any kind of referendum.

Mr. Lilyquist pointed out that the current board over the last year has cost the district $835,000. At the time of his letter those were all the numbers available. In the last two weeks that number is closer to $1,197,000 and is still growing. I don't know what the 2010-2011 budget projected deficit is but adding $1,197,000 to that number is devastating.

I've heard certain board members have been chastised for perceived deviation from their oath. Board members do have an oath to provide the best education possible to our students; however they also have an obligation to protect taxpayers investments. This board hasn't done either. Students are leaving and we now have a piece of property that appears can't even be given away.[[In-content Ad]]The sad part of this story is that is was totally avoidable. However, certain board members were set on closing the Longville campus at all costs. Was is worth it? I honestly don't know how ISD 118 can survive. The board was told a savings of $322,000+$454,000 could be realized. I don't know how that's possible - previous administration had the building operating at $540,000. Approximately $480,000 is more realistic for the past year. Insurance, property maintenance, sewer fees, and minimal utility expense will still be incurred.

The closing of the campus with the "Cute" little tombstone should have been put in place right under the ISD 118 sign. That P.O's a lot of people.

There were multiple strategic planning committee meetings (made up of mostly people set against keeping Longville open) with one goal in mind, close Longville, with no plan on how to keep students in the district, and no explanation of how money saved would be used to the benefit of Longville area parents and taxpayers. What's the plan? What about the School Forest? A tremendous amount of time and effort went into securing that property for the district. Is that gone too? School forest, school building, school property, exodus of students. Can't wait to hear your plan.

One of the most confusing mistakes is the teacher fiasco. I guess that no one on the board has ever dealt with a union or looked at tenure and certification of the teachers being put on leave.

I know for a fact that the Ojibwe Tribe offered money to help keep late buses operational. The last conversation with the tribe member in charge said no letter had been received from the district.

Here's the problem - $975,000 at the time of this letter is lost for the next 1 to 13 years, plus an additional $107,000 sparsity aid.

If you have an idea on how to save ISD 118 - let's see your letter to the editor with a solution. As I understand there were 67 students in Longville (15.4 percent of the student population) at 7.2 percent of operating costs.

I have a suggestion but I'll save that for a future letter. Let's see your ideas and maybe the board and administration will pay attention this time.

Sincerely,

John Dufner

Owner - Independent Auto Parts and

Former Board

Treasurer

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