Citizens Taskforce
Dear Editor: The proposed “Grand Bargain” revealed this week is no bargain and should be renamed to ‘‘Grand Theft Auto.’’ The following explains why. The first goal of the Citizens’ Taskforce on City Services, Revenues and Fees (CT) is to “Recommend what core services CBS must maintain.”
Considering the State of Alaska Constitutional mandate, it would seem that schools would be at or near the top of the list of core services.
‘‘The Alaska Supreme Court and the Education Clause McCauley v. Hildebrand (1971).
‘‘The constitutional mandate for pervasive state authority in the field of education could not be more clear. First, the language is mandatory, not permissive. Second, the section not only requires that the legislature “establish” a school system, but also gives to that body the continuing obligation to “maintain” the system. That the legislature has seen fit to delegate certain educational functions to local school boards in order that Alaska schools might be adapted to meet the varying conditions of different localities does not diminish this constitutionally mandated state control over education.’’
In fact, Sitka schools are not even listed in the Core Designation Chart provided in the CT “Grand Bargain” draft. Sitka Schools are only mentioned in the CT Draft as the one and only specifically targeted reduction in funding in this proposal, and targets the Sitka School District by decreasing funding by $600,000 over a three-year period.
On the other hand, streets (including parking lots) are listed as being CIPS (Core Infrastructure), CR (Core Regulatory) and CCV (Core Community Value). Wow, a Hat Trick! Then, the “Grand Bargain” proposes to increase funding to Streets & Parking Lots by $1,650,000 over a three year period.
Obviously, the CT and my family’s value system are not the same. Money talks and the CT has spoken loudly. I consider it pathological to value habitat for motor vehicles (machines) over habitat for humans, especially children. Our school age children spend more waking time in school than they do at home. I find it reprehensible to even have a discussion involving the comparative values of people and machines. Therefore, I will refer to the “Grand Bargain” in any future discussions as Grand Theft Auto. In its current iteration, the CT Draft is dead on arrival. Drastic change will have to occur for me to vote in favor of an increase in the property tax mill rate to fund this misguided nonsense. “Schools trump roads.”
Dr. Ronald E. Dick, Sitka
