Follow the lively online discussion here
Bravely, I will bear the burden of being proven right.
One week ago this column predicted the St. Joseph School District proposals would be defeated. I thought the levy renewal, which required only a simple majority, stood a decent shot at passage. But alas, 170 people spoke very loudly.
The reasons why voters decline new taxes are complex and myriad. Or so say school board members at election rallies that turn into mourning sessions.
Having predicted this outcome, I feel confident to detail the reasons why the issues failed:
- Johnson Controls laid off 54 workers at its Pear Street facility last week.
- The Dow is trading below 8,000.
- BlueScope, aka Varco-Pruden, cut a shift and 53 employees at its plant in February.
- Supporters think the bond would mean sacrificing one latte a week, when for many people it means the difference between filling the car with gas or walking to work.
- Ivy Steel and Wire eliminated some 20 jobs in December.
- Putting two measures on the ballot seemed greedy in this climate. If the school board had prioritized and chosen one issue to focus on, it would have stood a better chance.
- Smurfit Stone closed its factory and laid off 80 striking workers.
- People feel out of control with many economic factors and this was a rare chance to do something to keep money from flowing out of the household budget.
- Gray Manufacturing laid off 57 employees in two segments.
- Threats about laying off staff and closing schools grated on the ears of so many residents who live under the daily threat of layoffs and shuttered businesses.
- American Family Insurance instituted a hiring freeze at its regional office.
- Energy and utility rates keep climbing steadily upward.
- Prime Tanning sold its business and sharply curtailed operations.
- Teachers in the St. Joseph School District earn about 95 percent of what teachers in the Kansas City area earn. You just can’t say that about very many other professions in this city.
- At Altec, 50 workers lost their jobs this year.
- Congress is spending tax money like there is no tomorrow.
- Snorkel has laid off many employees in Elwood and doesn’t offer much hope for a productive future.
- Visits to the Missouri Career Center are double what they were last year.
In order to succeed, the next school measure will require evidence of comprehensive planning by the district and, more importantly, a strong dose of empathy.
