This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE

This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.

What is the progress in the county-city school discussions?

At the outset of these joint meetings the foremost issue was that of consolidation of the districts into one unit. It was felt by most that such a union could result in considerable savings.

However, the issue of consolidation was dismissed early in the discussions. The city group, particularly, were against the idea, and discussions resulted in a statement that it would not prove to be great financial savings.

Now the main issue appears to be separation of the two districts into a more cohesive city and county districts.

Klamath County is a big county and location of schools is of great importance to population.

Both seem to agree on Mazama High being transferred from the city to the county, and discussions continue on other schools.

While not privy to the discussions, it seems to us that the group is proceeding in a manner that would prove to be best for both city and county school students.

We note also that there are many issues that must be considered in these discussions. These would include the issue of future growth of the community as perhaps the most important of the judgement issues, although student issues as well as employee issues also come into play.

The discussions themselves are an outgrowth of the failure of several bond issues in the last election. These included bond issues for both the city schools, particularly a $48 million dollar issue to replace KUHS, as well as other bond issues for county schools. The public, we feel, indicated that the two systems would be better off unified with potential savings.

Any future bond issues will have to assure the voting public that the group has thoroughly explored the issues and made a workable solution that will provide education systems that are as financially responsible as possible.

In the meantime we have to commend the group for the effort they invested. We will await the final results, although most, at the moment, are disappointed that the unification question was negated early in the discussions.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.

Text Box:
This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.
What is the progress in the county-city school discussions?
At the outset of these joint meetings the foremost issue was that of consolidation of the districts into one unit.   It was felt by most that such a union could result in considerable savings.
However, the issue of consolidation was dismissed early in the discussions. The city group, particularly, were against the idea, and discussions resulted in a statement that it would not prove to be great financial savings.
Now the main issue appears to be separation of the two districts into a more cohesive city and county districts.
Klamath County is a big county and location of schools is of great importance to population.
Both seem to agree on Mazama High being transferred from the city to the county, and discussions continue on other schools.
While not privy to the discussions, it seems to us that the group is proceeding in a manner that would prove to be best for both city and county school students.
We note also that there are many issues that must be considered in these discussions.   These would include the issue of future growth of the community as perhaps the most important of the judgement issues, although student issues as well as employee issues also come into play.
The discussions themselves are an outgrowth of the failure of several bond issues in the last election. These included bond issues for both the city schools, particularly a $48 million dollar issue to replace KUHS, as well as other bond issues for county schools.   The public, we feel, indicated that the two systems would be better off unified with potential savings.
Any future bond issues will have to assure the voting public that the group has thoroughly explored the issues and made a workable solution that will provide education systems that are as financially responsible as possible.
In the meantime we have to commend the group for the effort they invested. We will await the final results, although most, at the moment, are disappointed that the unification question was negated early in the discussions.
This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.