Blogs

Changes in bond money spending plan.....did the district authorize this, or just the board?

Valparaiso Lady said… I have recently found out from a reliable source that although the voters were told that all rooms would be worked on in the school, that is no longer the case. No work will be done to any classrooms except for the FCS room. No other room will be remodeled in any way. Nothing will be done to the ceilings in any of the rooms, the plumbing won't be fixed in the art room, or any other room in the school. Also, I am wondering why we are building a paint booth. The IT teacher… Continue

Added by Valparaiso Lady on November 8, 2009 at 5:27pm — No Comments

the Great SIGN WARS

WOW if you travel anywhere in the area you have been bombarded with campaign signs made by students

Here is one from the spring 09 election

Here is another of the student signs

I guess so. the lack of maintenance and abuse adds up over time. Look at this BARRACKS block wall falling… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on September 4, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Raymond Central Bond Issue Fall 2009

No matter how flat you make a pancake it still has 2 sides. Here is a look at the other side of this project

I have been a strong supporter of improving the facilities at RC since I moved in the district over 30 years ago. My support has always been for projects that make the school system more efficient. The current plan lacks some necessary improvements to increase energy efficiency and reduce operating expense. Poor security and poor ADA access are also concerns. Cost is always a… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 30, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Lets Take A Closer Look

OK, Let me tear this thing apart. First, the location. The area for the addition is the south parking lot. it has a huge drop off on the east side. In the budget is over 1/2 million to level this hole. Building in this area creates several problems that need to be dealt with. To provide access to the east side of the building, replace the lost parking space, deal with the drainage, Access to the fuel tank for heating fuel located on the south side of… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 21, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

The Great gym controversey

I have had one person tell me they would not vote for the bond if the gym was not included. I have many MANY district residents tell me they will not vote for the bond because it includes a 4th Gym. I personally do not believe this is a necessary item. since we already have 3 gyms we need to invest in improvements we do not have or that should have a high priority such as efficient heating, cooling, lighting, and additional insulation to reduce operating costs. Instead adding more specialized… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 21, 2009 at 6:40am — No Comments

Letters to the editor Fall 09

Waverly NEWS

Published 8-20-09

Step up, vote yes for proposed project

The Raymond Central School Board has proposed a 9.9 million dollar bond issue to improve the junior/senior high School. The RC Facilities Task Force has performed admirably in scrutinizing each proposed addition and renovation. Each dollar has been considered for the value it yields. There is no waste in this project.

Please do not be taken in by the “we can do better” crowd. That is just… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 21, 2009 at 2:30am — 5 Comments

LINKS TO NEWS COVERAGE and other sites

JOURNAL-2-09

WAVERLY NEWS 8-13-09

WAVERLY NEWS 8-20-09 BOND REPAYMENT…

Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 20, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

MIS information and other propoganda

Boy that is some funny koolAId they got there

Much of this is directed to my letter from 3-09 "a pig with lipstick" and the followup

I have to call Bravo Sierra for most of this. I guess this is what desperation looks like.

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Answers to mis-information from previous Referendum - Fall 2009

A few examples of the information… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 20, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Public Informational meetings, not so public

Just wanted to pass along my experience at the august 12-09 "informational" meeting at the high school

The sign indicates a public meeting at the public school open to the public, "for all INTERESTED patrons" Well I am interested. I got the notification in the mail. I checked the serial number on the meter against a letter from the school.

No question that postage was paid by the school the message on… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 19, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Research associates survey

This is the phone survey that was done after the 2007 referendum failed. This was authorized by the board. Cost was approximately $12,000, one half was paid by Ameritas the financial agent retained by the district for the project. Keep in mind Ameritas has a financial interest in the passage of the bond issue and the subsequent issuance of bonds. It is my understanding that the agent worked with research associates and superintendent Oxley to develop the questions used for the survey. The board… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 19, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

FISHY stuff at RC Schools

No particular order, just thought as I think of stuff.

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the 2007 Kids Task Force used school funds to mail out surveys that were for a citizens group. this is not allowed as I understand the rules.

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Why did taxpayers spend $175,000 to construct a bus maintenance facility, then as soon as it was done eliminate the bus mechanics position? Patrons pay for heat and utilities for a building used to store junk while bus… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 17, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

TAXES

The current tax levy for 2008-2009 is $1.22 per $100 valuation. the spring 2009 bond would have added 18.5 cents if passed for a total of $1.405 per 100.

The estimate for the levy increase for the September 15, 2009 referendum is 16.5 cents. $1.385 total

So currently for every $100,000 of valuation you now pay $1220 for the school portion of your tax bill. that will increase to $1385 if the bond is approved by voters.

According to superintendant Paul Hull per… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 17, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Here We Go Again

Its Emotion vs Common sense again

I certainly disagree with another attempt at what has been rejected already by voters

I do not understand why I should have to fight anybody to get the job done right

Insanity = Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result

Same plan

Same architect

Same problems

Same lack of common sense

I guess I can't call this one a Pig with lipstick because that ruffled some peoples… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 14, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

MAP of district 161 and board member info

click on map for a full size image Board of Education Kay Maresh President 2007-2010 ward 4 David Grimes Secretary 2009-2012 ward 3 Jennifer Lorenzen Vice President 2007-2010 ward 2 Mark Christensen Treasurer 2009-2012 ward 1 Bradley L… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on August 14, 2009 at 4:30am — No Comments

Summer 09 concrete work

More TAX money wasted Approval of Concrete Work " Superintendent Hull received concrete work bids from Macintosh Concrete, Inc. and R and B Contractors, Inc. Motion by Christensen, second by Maresh to approve the concrete work by R and B Contractors, Inc. for repairs at the Junior-Senior High School and Valparaiso Elementary School at a cost of $6,910.00 RCV 5-0. Motion carried." From the 6-15-09 board meeting Superintendent Paul Hull… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on June 17, 2009 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

My Plan

Just a note here, the drawings I have posted are my own doodlings I use while brainstorming. If you can't understand what I was thinking contact me and I'll try to explain it better

I spent lots of time looking over the 2007 proposed plan. I spent many hours looking at the various options presented. I stared at the aerial… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on May 20, 2009 at 4:30am — No Comments

ELECTION RESULTS

Well another one has went down. FOR

932 AGAINST

1,013 A difference of 81 votes About 60% of the ballots mailed out were returned Here are the reports from local papers

Waverly News

Wahoo Newspaper…

Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on March 11, 2009 at 2:30am — No Comments

ENERGY USE AT RAYMOND CENTRAL SCHOOL

Attached is an energy audit by Norris Public Power and Nebraska Public Power completed in 2000. Some of the lighting has been updated since the audit was done. Parts of the HVAC system in the Main Building and some of the Barracks used for the junior high wing was replaced in 2004. No work was done with the admin building or the wrestling building. It might be difficult to get through all the numbers. Here are the highlights. 1999 energy use 76,116 btu/sqft, Total cost $52,189 cost/sqft $0.67… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on March 9, 2009 at 5:30am — No Comments

Letters to the editor

Here we are battling it out in the paper. Here are some letters from the Waverly News ================ (note, this was from the journal-star and was also in the Waverly news) Invest in kids’ future Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 - 12:18:09 am CST The Raymond Central School Board is being fiscally responsible with our tax dollars while attempting to provide, to the best of the district’s ability, the highest quality education to our students. With bond costs down and construction contractors hungrier… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on March 9, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

Auditorium / performance hall

I think a auditorium or performance area is a very important part of any improvement project at Raymond Central, after all the speech team has just won another state title. This makes 14 consecutive state championships. that record is unmatched by any other school in the state! Think about that for a moment.... if the Nebraska football team won 14 national… Continue

Added by Eldon McFarling on July 21, 2008 at 10:40am — No Comments

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