<p>right curmudgeon -when I posted originally - I forgot about the students taking photos and video. And my son told me that the JV team is strongly encouraged to be there (maybe even required) to support the varsity. And as of next year, I think the JV Cheerleaders will also be involved somehow.</p>
<p>Total waste of money. when are they going to build the $60M science labs? Or Concert Hall, etc?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Somewhere I read this was part of a $120 million bond issue with something like $55 million going towards a fine arts center…</p>
<p>
When? It looks like “simultaneously” would be the answer. ;)</p>
<p>Remember folks, the people paying for the PAC and the stadium are the local residents in Allen and they voted to spend the money.</p>
<p>Thanks curmudgeon. I knew I had seen; just not sure where :)</p>
<p>And I agree with your second point too… if the taxpayers feel it is important to them, that’s their decision. Who are we to tell them how else to spend their money?</p>
<p>What’s a pep boy? Or a spirit sister?</p>
<p>For us, the Pep Boys are the guys who (1) do funny skits at pep rallies, (2) race across the field carrying flags with the school’s initials before each half of the game, and (3) do pushups every time we score. Due to (1), these tend to be theatre boys, which draws in a component of kids who aren’t typically big football boosters.</p>
<p>Spirit Sisters are senior girls who decorate overalls with glitter, etc. and sit together at pep rallies and games…not a huge resonsiblity, but something to keep girls involved who aren’t drill team, cheer or band.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>They have a right to spend their money, and we have a right to mock their warped priorities.</p>
<p>If you think this is warped priorities because that money should be spent for more and better paid teachers, smaller classes and more librarians and counselors, that’s not the way public school financing works in Texas. Spending for maintainence and operations is capped. Many districts are at that cap. Building new facilities is a different budget “pie” and unrelated to the M&O budget. Allen is building a fancy new fine arts center, a fancy new career and technology ed center, and a fancy new stadium. It’s not just about football. I suspect that some of the parents of the 600+ members of the marching band liked the stadium idea as well!</p>
<p><<i suspect=“” that=“” some=“” of=“” the=“” parents=“” 600+=“” members=“” marching=“” band=“” liked=“” stadium=“” idea=“” as=“” well!=“”>></i></p><i suspect=“” that=“” some=“” of=“” the=“” parents=“” 600+=“” members=“” marching=“” band=“” liked=“” stadium=“” idea=“” as=“” well!=“”>
<p>Remember…the football team is just there to warm up the field for the band! :)</p>
</i>
<p>I don’t know exactly how football in Texas works, but I think I have a pretty good idea, because that’s how HS basketball works in Indiana. There are many benefits to something (and it’s not necessarily bad just “because” it’s sports…) that produces this kind of school participation, camaraderie, and school spirit.</p>
<p>Public school budgets here are very similar–capital projects fund is different than operational expenses (incl teacher salaries, etc.) and what can be spent in each separate fund is subject to state mandates.</p>
<p>The bottom line for me is this was a locally approved levy. It says something to me that it was approved in these difficult economic times.</p>
<p>Thanks for explaining! We don’t have anything like that around here.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Similar here as well. The State of Illinois is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO far behind payments to school districts and it is really causing a lot of problems. We just built a brand new high school ($35million project) and I know the School Board and Superintendent have repeatedly said that our budget issues are not due to the new school because that is money that could only be used for construction.</p>
<p>sryrtress is right. The budgeting here is very compartmentalized. Extra money in one bucket can’t be shifted to another bucket. And it’s often a “use it or lose it” type of situation.</p>
<p>
But mocking the “warped” priorities of voters choosing to spend their money on school facilities is so much more fun. And, lest we forget, school sports are evil. Nothing good can ever come from them. ;)</p>
<p>Sounds to me that the vote goes like this: </p>
<p>a) Do you want new school facilities, including a $60M football stadium?</p>
<p>b) Or nothing?</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Chinese government is worried sick - they will only dominate in engineering, but American football will be the best forever.</p>
<p>Actually, I believe the $60 million dollars was part of a total $120 million package to do upgrades to the school. I don’t remember what the other $60 million was being spent on, but if I remember correctly there was another $60 million being spent on upgrading non-sporting facilities at the school.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>As I understand it, while the voters are given the right to approve or dispprove bond issues for construction of stadiums and the like, they can’t use bond money to pay teachers more, hire more counsellors, etc.</p>
<p>^^^ Correct. Salaries must come out of the general fund. Bond money can only be used for what was stated at the time of the election, and that’s limited to buildings, materials, etc. For instance, a bond can pay for a technology upgrade but not people to maintain all the new technology!</p>
<p>I wonder if it is different in other states. I know that those of in our area vote in favor of every single bond package - we are very supportive of our public schools. However, if it was a check the box thing and I could vote for hiring more GCs in lieu of having the fancy video-screen score board at the stadium, I would!</p>