School Bond Issue/Millage

Why I will likely vote against the upcoming bond issue for the local schools:

A local school was given free pencils (that is, free, at no cost!) by a local business. But, teachers complained that the pencils weren't good enough. So, they insisted that other pencils, Ticonderogas!, be purchased to the tune of $1000 or more. Remember, this is only one school. How many other schools or even this one did similar things with freebies? What do they care what they spend? It's not their money and, remember, "It's for the kids."

Reminds me of the incredible boondoggles I witnessed, such as the TV sets that were purchased at 4 or 5 times the cost that could be found at Ollie Fretter's, ABC Warehouse, etc. The justification was that it couldn't be assured that the cheaper sets (the exact same sets, just at another store) were safe (be careful with your own sets; they might not be safe!). And how many computers are at each school, sitting idle most of the time? I watched several teachers this week give tests on Scantrons--those aren't cheap. And, explain, exactly, how Scantrons are "for the kids!" Hey, aren't they supposed to be learning to write????

Can someone assure me that the boondoggle public pools and athletic facilities at the local high schools are revenue neutral, that is, they pay for themselves, instead of taking money from the general fund? Those, too, I suppose, were "for the kids." Certainly they weren't for administrators' ego-gratification, nope.

Too many teachers and administrators are too arrogant, thinking they are doing noble work (some, but too few, of them actually are!) and shouldn't be subjected to silly things like budgets. After all, it's not their money!

There are lots of ways to cut money without touching employees' salaries or benefits, but nobody will listen. It's easier to just call names, isolate (quarantine?), etc. There, then, is the reason I will likely vote against the upcoming school bond issue/millage. (And, I hope I get a call from someone in the district asking for my vote; I'd love to discuss it.)