Jayson Brall believes in a well-rounded education with a diverse list of extracurricular activities to build self-esteem and strong social skills in students, and up-to-date technology that teaches students about what people are doing today, not what they did yesterday.
“I hate taking anything away from kids’ education,” said the resident of Boyd Street in Brookfield. “I just don’t want to see it go backwards.”
But, as to whether he will support the 1.9-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy Brookfield Board of Education has placed on the Nov. 6 ballot, he hasn’t decided.
“I’ll have to look into that a little more, see what the money can be used for,” Brall said.
According to school officials, the levy, which would raise about $250,000 a year, would go for security upgrades at the school, new school buses, computer server blades for storing information, repairs to the bus garage and repairs at the Addison Road football stadium.
A permanent improvement levy can only be used for things that last longer than five years, making salaries and operational expenses off-limits, said district Treasurer Craig Yaniglos.
“I’m for the school levy, because I have a child in school and they’ve already stripped the school of a lot of things,” said Tracie Hunter, also of Boyd. “There’s no home ec. A lot of art programs aren’t there. That takes away from our kids.”
“I’m for the school levy,” added Ruby Longwell of Kimberly Street. “I don’t have any children; I have grandchildren. I think education’s very important for our children, if they use the money the right way.”
Art Bailey said he’s not sure the district used the money the right way when it abandoned the traditional schools and built the current, all-grades building in 2011. Plus, the pocketbooks of district residents are only so big.
“People in this community are not wealthy,” said Bailey, of Kimberly Street. “I think they need to keep that in mind. I understand that schools cost money and everything, but they should have thought of that before they built a big school like that.”
Joe Buckich, another Kimberly resident, said you can’t underestimate the role a school plays in a community.
“My wife and I are of the opinion that any money for school is better,” he said. “We vote for zoning, police and fire and the school. Those are the things that are going to give you a good community.”
