The issue:Taylor’s movement toward establishing a New Tech high school this fall.
Our view:All stakeholders deserve praise as they explore ideas to improve academic performance.
Until January of 2009, Taylor Community School Corp. seemingly had been in a state of financial crisis in perpetuity. And its situation never was more dire than in 2006.
Taylor petitioned the Indiana State Property Tax Control Board for a one-time, $1.7 million emergency increase in its tax levy that November. The tax board turned down the request. School officials were forced to begin considering consolidation with another school.
Later, the state Department of Local Government Finance granted Taylor an emergency tax levy of $425,000 per year for two years. Still, we believed the school district had until the end of 2009 to get its fiscal house in order before facing what it did in 2006.
Taylor Superintendent John Magers put aside that possibility last year. In his State of the School address, a first for the school corporation, Magers reported a cash balance of 16 percent of the school budget at the end of 2008.
It was a significant accomplishment. We praised Taylor’s present and former superintendents, school board, teachers union and residents. Such a fiscal turnaround would not have happened without the participation of these stakeholders.
Taylor again is involving all parties as it works to establish a New Tech high school this fall.
New Tech Foundation representatives of Napa, Calif., say such schools use student-directed, project-based learning to teach state content standards. They focus on developing skills like collaboration, communication, problem solving, work ethic, critical thinking and technology literacy.
Magers is expected to discuss the development of the New Tech high school at 7 p.m. Thursday, during his second State of the School address.
All stakeholders at Taylor deserve praise for the reasoned and respectful approach they’re taking as they explore ideas to improve academic performance.
Opinion
The process to progress
- Opinion
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Cast a vote for centers
The issue: Vote centers in Howard County.
Our view: Centers are less expensive to operate and more convenient for the average voter.
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White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.
Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.
Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.
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Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.
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If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.
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Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’
The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:
“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.
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Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.
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Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.
Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
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Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.
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Cast a vote for centers
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