When the label does not fit

It is interesting that when one has an opposing view they become labeled as a community basher. Exactly the way one might expect a closed minded individual to react. Amazing that opinions opposite are considered to be bad. To my knowledge there are no postings on this site bashing Pittsburg, Camp County, PISD, teachers, school administration, children of the community, etc. All original postings existing on this site are factual and based upon information supplied by the PISD, Southwest Securities, Eubanks, Harris, Roberts, and Craig, Texas Education Agency, US Department of Education, etc. If you want to interpret the challenging of policies, data, analysis, practices, procedures, etc. as bashing then you are entitled to your opinion.

One writer to the local paper this past week has labeled those questioning the bond election as community bashers. Perhaps this is the same as a party crasher! Really makes no difference in this regards. Interesting that the writer would mention a new hospital. There is a difference in the fact that the hospital is not being constructed by taxpayer funds. This is the right of private enterprise of which has come under attack on this site. The writer calls into question the validity of self-pace learning. Why? Self-paced learning is practiced at all levels of education. Perhaps the writer should check out www.K12.com. It could be an eye opening experience as to how self-paced learning is being used by students in public education in remote locations of the country and world.

The writer states "On your site you have given false, misleading, and negative opinions and information." The writer is being challenged to prove that statement. Perhaps the writer does not have a clear understanding of the issues! The writer suggest that "We have open minds to every opinion." I would say her written response is a prime example of one with a closed mind and not willing to consider the views of those who have a view opposite the writer's. Sensible reason and actual true data that was provided by the PISD have been utilized on this site to make people think in regards to the PISD bond election. The fact is the tax rate is 43 cents without state participation per the report supplied by Southwest Securities. The fact is the tax rate could be 32.5 cents if the state participates. It is a fact that the number of people moving into the community will have nothing to do with the actual tax rate going higher are lower. This is dictated by the total property values of the PISD. It is a fact that the tax rate associated with the bond debt will not be reduced for the 30 year term of the bond. The bond debt tax rate will only be reduced once the bond is paid-off are retired in 30 years. It is a fact that if this bond passes PISD will have one of the highest school tax rates in the area. This was proven by the letter submitted by Torres and Arana. Mt. Pleasant was the only school district mentioned with a higher tax rate of $1.58 as opposed to the PISD proposed rate of $1.54. Mr. Hendricks got it right when he stated "Our taxes are going up." No fairy tales, make believe here - These are REAL facts!

One finds it hard to believe that students and teachers will suffer if they do not receive a new building. The PISD has been in business many years and will continue to be in business. May not be in business the way some wish, but progress will go on with or without a new school building. The world in Pittsburg will not come to an end if a new building is not supplied. The Texas Education Agency is not going to come knocking down the doors of the PISD with the intent of taking over. The TEA does not operate in this manner!

The building will make things smoother, but it will not degrade the quality of education provided by a fine teaching corps. The PISD will be measured on the quality of the product it graduates and how well the students do on the TAKS exams. Many have agreed that the PISD has needs and are willing to provide, but they want something more reasonable.

One writer even goes into the rumors (some of these rumors have been floating around for over three years)about growth. New Sonic, new hotel and restaurant (new hotel signs have gone up and down in this community over the last few years like one of those 'chipmonk games' that you hit on the head as it pops up), expansion of PaPa Nachos (this is a three year rumor - no action to date), mentions something about new car dealerships (there have been no new dealerships just name changes), church buildings (they pay no property taxes - they take property off the tax rolls), etc. The question for consideration in regards to this writer is - if it is not about a new high school then why not a new middle school? Perhaps a new intermediate school? We want really know for these options were not part of the analysis under consideration.

Open minded folks see this as a challenge. Closed minded folks call this community bashing. For those who think we don't participate in the community, some volunteer at the museum, some volunteer with literacy programs, many have given to the Pitt Band, purchased candles and Pitt Pride T-shirts, advertised to help support Hew Haw, contributed to summer league sports programs, etc. Before you make a statement of this nature you need to be very careful about what you perceive.

Each reader has to decide for him/herself........Is challenging the establishment considered community bashing?