Rockwood School District school buildings will be closed Tuesday to accommodate the building being used as Nov. 6 elections' polling places.
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- Is the election board reimbursing the district (and thus, us the tax payers) for the costs associated with closing of the schools, when the principal reason for the schools is teaching our kids, not having a place to vote?
This question was not addressed by Rockwood School District Chief Communications Officer Kim Cranston. Responses to other questions follow. - What is the cost to the district (and thus us, the tax payers) in the schools being closed?
"Rockwood students have a school calendar consisting of 180 school days. This day is not one of the 180 days. There are other days students don’t attend school, such as Martin Luther King or Labor Day. These holidays also are not included in the count of 180 student days." - For those parents who work and will not be at home during the day, will alternative arrangements be made to care for the kids that otherwise would have been in school?
"Holiday Adventure Club provides a full day of care (6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on many of the district holidays, such as Election Day. The children will participate in a fun-filled day of special activities in a well-supervised environment. Children are provided a morning and afternoon snack but must bring a sack lunch. Please refer to the district website for more information. - Will district employees, now who will have the day off, be allowed to pass out literature, brochures, outside of the polling places promoting their candidates and causes?
"Per Board Regulation 0380: Employees may distribute campaign literature, work at the polls, telephone prospective voters, assist with mailings, and otherwise participate in the political process as permitted by law, so long as employees engage in such activities outside of working hours.” - Have the teacher's unions endorsed candidates, causes, that they will have district employees passing out literature at polling places for?
This question should be directed to Suzanne Dotta, RNEA president.
Editor's Note: Dotta's contact information is president@rnea.orgor 636-394-7777, extension 105.
Becky H
7:51 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
The schools go to great efforts to keep the premises safe and secure during school days. Sadly, this is necessary due to individuals who may be criminals, may wish to harm/abduct children, or participate in other nefarious activities. If the school is used as a polling place on election day, the doors are open and literally anyone/everyone is allowed to walk in the doors. As a mother of two elementary school age children, I am glad the school they attend will not be open tomorrow in what seems to be quite a contentious election.
Julie Brown Patton
8:01 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
Thank you, Becky H, for that personal perspective. I know in the past, hectic/more dangerous school parking lots for days such as this, also have been questioned by parents.
Jim Descher
1:43 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
I agree with Becky. On a related note, I think Election Day should be a national holiday and have plenty of absentee ballot days to accommodate people who cannot usually vote on Tuesdays. The military, restaurant workers, police, firemen, retail workers, etc would all benefit from this move!
Kerri
2:00 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
I do think that the schools should be closed on voting day. If a school is used as a polling place there are far too many individuals in the school. It is too much chaos. I am the mother of two small children and I would be nervous having my child attend a polling school on voting day.
Debra Rogers
2:45 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
Yes, they absolutely should be closed -- It's safer for everyone. After working in healthcare administration for 20 years, I made a career change to teaching (part-time)... And I will be a poll worker for the first time this year (doing it more to learn about the process & for community service than for the $150 for 15+ hours I'm required to be at the polls -- they do not change staff after 8 hours!). The polling staff does not include a "security" person to keep an eye on the facility. So as a Teacher, I firmly believe it's best to close the school to focus on facilitating the voting process. Schools are public facilities, owned by the taxpayers so it makes perfect sense to use them for such a basic individual right of voting.
KM Kramer
3:33 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
I am sorry, but it does not make perfect sense to me to close schools so as to have a place to vote. Schools are for teaching our children - THAT should be the first priority. Yes, security at the schools with strangers coming and going is an issue - but one easily resolved - have the voting place somewhere else.
KM Kramer
3:56 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
Rockwood did a great job (again) of dancing around the issue of costs, and being accountable for our tax dollars. What is the purpose of the District and the schools - provide an occasional voting place, or do the best job possible of teaching our children in the most cost effective way possible? Security is an issue at the schools on voting days, and all more the reason the schools should not be used as polling places. The District is quick to charge outside groups to use the facilities - why shouldn't the Election Board pay at least the costs associated with closing the schools? There are plenty of other places that could be used for voting - libraries, city halls, police stations, fire houses - even renting a vacant store front in a shopping center for a day would be more cost effective than closing all the schools in the District. Let's get our priorities straight and stay focused on teaching our children.
Debra Rogers
4:07 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
KM Kramer~. Where do you suggest?? We, the people, are the givernment. If you have solutions, speak up and get involved in the process. It's always easier to throw darts and put things down after the fact -- being involved in the process is where effort is required. You seriously can't take responsibility for your children for one day?
Grow up and quit relying on others to carry your weight.
KM Kramer
4:34 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
Debra- Well, I hope you don't drink as much caffeine tomorrow or those going to your polling place will really be in for a hard time! I am glad you have gotten involved in the process and am working at the polls - for me, I have been involved in Rockwood and Chesterfield for over 20 years - pushing for strong, responsible and fiscally sound government. Having served on Rockwood Committees I can tell you this is not the first time this issue has come up, and only through open, sensible dialog can a consensus be reached as to what direction the Rockwood Board should take in the future. With a free, open press one should be able to speak and voice their opinions, without worrying they may be bullied or intimidated by someone who dislikes their point of view.
As to my children, both are now grown, after having attended Rockwood pre-K through 12th grade. There are, however, others in the District that work and now must find other means to see that their children are taken care of for the day.
Debra Rogers
4:08 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
*Those you mentioned are already being used. There are over 455 polling places in STL County alone!
Debra Rogers
4:19 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
**As RSD explained, kids are not missing a day of instruction (they're receiving all 180 days). Take them to the polls with you, they're allowed to go with you, and teach them the importance of voting.
Becky H
4:24 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
I believe that schools only receive state and federal monies based on the head count of the days that they are actually in school. I would love if someone with more knowledge regarding this would chime in. Rockwood had the foresight to adjust their calendar to not include the Presidential election day as one of their 180 school days per year, and allow the voters who live nearby to have to the school facilities as a polling place. I am guessing that the costs associated with this are equal to other times when the school is not in use, like during winter, spring, and summer break. The school that my children attend is ranked #51 out of 1051 elementary schools in Missouri. I think Rockwood is doing a fine job educating my children. If you want to look up your school, go to schooldigger.com.
FedUpVet
5:50 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
No way. They were not when most of us were growing up and they shouldn't be closed now. The sooner our youth are exposed to the responsibilities of voting, the better. Have extra security on the premises and teachers should discuss the process with their students. If we teach them civic responsibility from the beginning, it will sink in and be remembered.
Jo Beck
6:45 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
We vote at LaSalle Springs Middle School. The voters are directed to one of the side doors and have no contact with students or staff. I agree with FedUpVet. Kids should be exposed to voting.
Becky H
7:32 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
Unfortunately, not all schools are set up in such a way that separate entrances can be used. And it is a sad statement on society that we have to consider things like school shootings, pedophiles, and other acts against innocent people. But we do--no one is given admittance into the school without being cleared by the office staff via cameras/door buzzers. The schools are on lockdown during regular hours. I agree that children should be exposed to voting, and mine will be going with me to the polling place tomorrow. My kids also participated in the Kids Voting program. My 4th grader actually made a video with her whole class about the importance of voting. Check it out: http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/news/Pages/10252012ElectionDay2012.aspx