Public meeting attendance
February 19th, 2008 by 
Alica
On Monday, people from Gateway demonstrated tablet computers, and high school administrators talked about getting one for each of the high school students and teachers this fall. The kids would use the computers during the school day and take them home at night, too.
This would cost the school district about $1 million over three years. Maybe a little more. Depends on whether the district buys the computers or leases them, and how much it would cost to make the school wireless. The state would add about $400,000 to the $1 million to make the project happen.
Only five members of the public came to the demonstration.
Talcott wasn’t surprised at such low attendance. A few months ago, before the $23 million school bond vote, only a dozen or so people came to the public information meetings.
It’s not just the school. Only a dozen or so people attended an open house at the fire department recently.
Why do you suppose that is? Are Brandon residents so satisfied with the way the city and school are run that they don’t feel the need to attend informational meetings? Or is there some other reason?
Posted in Uncategorized | 
February 20th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I don’t question students having laptops but I do wonder if a tablet laptop is the way to go.
A couple reviews of this laptop listed it as a good machine but a heavy one (7 lbs)to be carrying around all day. Also I wonder about the durability of these type of laptops.
A basic Windows laptop or Macbook might be a better choice.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I think there are many reasons people don’t attend meetings. Lack if interest, busy with other things, LAZY, too many meetings (work, school, city, county, leisure, etc.). I personally am not really comfortable in large group situations or being around people I don’t really know. Many people also believe “they are going to pass it/do it anyway”, why bother wasting time attending a meeting.
I think there are many others ways to spread a message in our world today. Newspapers, blogs, newsletters, e-mail, etc. I feel the school really uses every method available to spread their message - at least those messages they want to spread.
The city could improve in this area a lot. It is great they are FINALLY going to be televising the city council meetings. Where I grew up they have been televising their meetings for over 28 years (around 30 miles from Brandon).
The fire department also needs work on sharing their message. Sitting in the FD waiting for people to come to you just won’t work.
Back to the laptop situation. I personally could go either way. There are studies that show it helps students learn and there are studies that show otherwise. I think it comes down to the teachers and their ability to keep the students on track with the true purpose of the laptops.
Of course, there is also the cost. Unfortunate timing with the $23 million bond issue.
Finally, way off topic, but did anyone else catch that the BV school district and SF Parks Dept. have had talks about adding a new park and Community Center to the new BV elementary school being built? I am curious who is paying for this. I TOTALLY agree that Brandon needs a community center, just not 3-4 miles from Brandon. I hope it is ALL SF dollars and nothing from Brandon. It is unfortunate that the BV School district and the city of Brandon didn’t work together to build a center on the high school. It would have been a wonderful thing for our growing community. It is also something that has been “promised” for 10+ years now……
February 20th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Nice post #2, I’m the first to admit that I’d like to know more about things like this computer plan, but am just too lazy and/or preoccupied with other things to attend a meeting.
Seeing what happens to the laptop at my house, I worry that these school computers will not get the care they should; and even if they do it seems like the cost of keeping them all updated will be high. The bottom line for me on this, though, is that I trust our school board to take in the information they need to make a good choice.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:51 am
I would like to respond to #2’s question about the community center planned for Assam Elementary.
All costs associated with the community center (including costs for an expanded gym)and park are paid for by the Sioux Falls Parks Department budget. They also pay a portion of the streets and parking lots which helps save the school district money on these items. Once the community center is in operation (probably 3 to 5 years after the school is built) the SF Parks Department will pay the district for maintenance and utilities in the facility and they will take care of lawn care for the park area. The partnership is a win-win-win for the district, SF parks, and that neighborhood.
The community center approach has been used by Sioux Falls successfully both with the SF School District and Harrisburg. While we have had talks with the City of Brandon and have worked together on some projects (i.e. library, tennis, and some parks)the economy of scale in Brandon is just not the same as SF and the city budget is very tight. The City of Brandon is a good partner with the school district and we continue to discuss ways we can work together.
Hope this helps.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:13 am
#4. Thanks for the the additional information on funding. It certainly does sound like a big win/win for everyone.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:51 am
The new elementary school already has a name? Assam? What does that mean and where did it come from?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:54 am
It is the last name of the family that donated the land.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Wouldn’t the community center be a Sioux Falls community center? I thought the school district and town boundaries were different. I thought the new school was outside of Brandon town limits and in Sioux Falls.
Getting back to lack of attendence at the public meetings. I had a brief look at the tablet at the meeting the 8th graders had at the High School. I’m not technically compentent enough to argue pro or con on the selection of the notebook. It seems similar to the ones some colleges are now requiring. Why would I go to look at them up close and say they look impressive? (or much better than what I have at home!)
The fire department open house is similar. My knowledge of fire departments is nil. I can agree they need a new truck - I don’t know enough to argue against it. My issue is creating another level of taxation that basically goes to what is a private company. I wouldn’t raise that issue with the people that own the company.
People do not attend issues they don’t feel qualified to discuss - the school bond meetings for example. You either trust them to spend the money or you don’t give them the money. People do attend if the issue strikes a nerve. The police department outsourcing and the ambulance issue come to mind.
The bottom line is blogging is easier - you can do it when and where you want. You can express unpopular opinions as ANON!
February 24th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
As far as the laptops, I think it is a waste of the schools resources. I think in a community like Brandon, most kids already have computer access and most of them are not going to improve their computer skills through this. Also, it’s not just a one time $800,000 cost to the district. There is also hiring at least 1 FTE to maintain them, along with replacement costs down the road. A trained computer tech will require a salary somewhere in the neighborhood of what we pay our principal. Unless there is solid proof of improved test scores, why spend the money? Just to take advantage of the states money? That’s like buying something that you don’t need just because it is on sale.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am
FYI - Posts #2, 4, & 7 are mine. Post # 9 is a different Anon…..I’m changing my name.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Sorry, I’m #9. Should have looked first. Wasn’t trying to impersonate you #10.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:45 am
The school wonders why people never attend meetings??? Mainly because the school board and administration will do what ever they wantanyway.
Question, when the vote for the 23 million was going on was there any talk of the city of sioux falls haveing a community center in the school????? I don’t recall any. Since the city is now involved does that mean that the school does not need the full 23 million as the city will bear some of the expense of the elementary school?
As for the lap tops it’s a done deal, I’m sure there already ordered.
March 5th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
To #12: The SD Senate rejected funding for the laptops, so Brandon Valley High School will not be ordering them. Not for the 2008-2009 school year, anyway.