VOX POP

Only in Crosby would a school board stubbornly cling to a superintendent who, for whatever reason, enjoys no support from her faculty. I'm retired ex-military so I've lived in a number of states and communities, and I don't think this sort of thing would have happened in any of them. But then it isn't just anywhere that a community turns its most important educational decisions over to the local disc jockey. The good folks of Crosby-Ironton need to wake up and assume some responsibility for what sounds like an intolerable, almost comical situation.

Let the debate begin

'Debate and dialogue are the yeast of a functioning democracy.' Why does the Board of Education at Crosby-Ironton take the same path with the union as they did in the recent contract negotiations and strike? They refuse to meet, go public through local media and lie to discredit the educators who work so hard? Why does this board fear dialogue? Are they afraid of the truth? Are they unaware or unable to answer the questions? Are they unable to serve in the positions they were elected? Do they dislike educators that much? Let the debate and discussions begin.

C-I and Bush administration similar

It's interesting to compare the approach of area school districts as they prepared for budget cutting and how one district is similar to the Bush administration. Brainerd, Pine River and others have a systematic plan using community/staff input, while Crosby-Ironton used the "shock and awe" approach. C-I cuts, slashes and burns and then tries to revive the casualties of numerous mistakes by restoring positions. Now the "Secretary of Defense" Kile attempts spin control by going public early with misinformation. By the way, Secretary of Defense does meet with the troops occasionally.

Billboards are wrecking scenery

As a traveling salesman in central Minnesota, it appalls me at the amount of billboard signs along our roads wrecking the scenery. Now I see someone on the north end of Pierz has started wrecking that area also. I think it's a shame that the state allows all these signs go up along the roads and wreck the beauty.

Surprised by support for Lawrie

I'm surprised by the Vox Pops in support of C-I superintendent Linda Lawrie because I didn't think she had any support here in town. I feel Linda Lawrie isn't good for the school or the community. People who I have had conversations with about our schools have also not felt that Linda Lawrie is a good leader. I would not presume to speak for an entire community as some Vox Pop callers have done but in my circle of friends and relatives, we feel a change is badly needed so our community can get back to educating our children.

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