Press

Here I have gathered articles relating to projects in which I am involved. Sometimes I just posted things to share, sometimes I share my comments in my blog. Click on the "read my thoughts" link when you see it to be taken to the related blog entry.

School board set to vote on secondary boundaries

Published: Sunday, February 12th 2012 in the The Columbia Daily Tribune

...“My perspective on this is we’ve been doing this for almost a year, and we’ve had a lot of opportunities for community input,” board member Jonathan Sessions said. “We had dozens of forums before the maps were drawn and after the maps were drawn.”

The committee even tweaked the maps after the second round of forums, he pointed out, addressing issues such as students in the Gentry, Lange, or Oakland boundaries that would have walked past one school to get to another.

Even if it’s too late to change the lines, Turner said a more lax transfer policy for the small number of students affected could solve the problem. Sessions, however, said creating exceptions for the policy could lead to unbalanced numbers at the schools.

“While individuals might be very glad they got the exception to go to the school of their choice, they might be frustrated by the fact that they’ll be in crowded classrooms and buildings,” he said....

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REDI backs school tax issues on ballot

Published: Thursday, January 12th 2012 in the The Columbia Daily Tribune

...Regional Economic Development Inc.’s board of directors signaled its support yesterday for Columbia Public Schools’ proposed tax levy increase and bond issue.

After a presentation from school board member Jonathan Sessions, REDI’s board voted unanimously to support a 40-cent tax levy increase and a $50 million bond issue that would likely equate to a 12-cent property tax hike. REDI, made up of area business and government leaders, works to recruit new businesses and expand existing businesses, often crafting packages that include property tax breaks for the companies.

Voters will have their say on the school district’s request April 3, and if the measures pass, an average homeowner would see around a $150 hike in annual property taxes. The 40-cent levy would pay for operating costs, such as salaries, while the bond issue is earmarked for a new elementary school, an early childhood center and additions to existing buildings that would reduce the number of trailers used by the district.
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