So that is 57 percent of Jordan Public Schools' voters casting ballots in favor, while 43 percent were against referendum question No. 1.

And 52 percent favored question No. 2, while 48 percent voted against it.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

So where are all the anti-tax republicans today? they sure did not show at the polls, it must have been all those nice signs and little business cards that were handed out. More taxes for schools that under perform. Time to move.

It frustrates me how I, the student, who sees the schools from the inside every day has to watch voters try to solve our underperforming school by handing them money. They had plenty of money 5 years ago and blew through it and now they're crying. More importantly, throwing money at the district is NOT going to fix the problem. In a high school with way too many bad teachers and a far too easy curriculum, money is NOT the problem!!!

Contrary to what you suggest, the correlation between property values and the quality of schools is not pulled out of someone's keyster.

http://www.cyberhomes.com/content/news/09-08-13/home-value-school.aspx

http://www.econ.yale.edu/seminars/labor/lap04/staiger-040506.pdf

http://cherokee.agecon.clemson.edu/wp040203.pdf

http://www.realtor.org/library/library/fg307

http://www.principalspartnership.com/propvalue.pdf

This is just a quick review of what is available online without going to any journal sites.

I too am glad that this is over. It was close. This means that about half the people went in and said no. This is no overwhelming mandate. It is an opportunity to rebuild.

All I ask is that our board members, new and old, put thought into every decision and not just reinstate all the cuts. Our schools did operate without the money. Please don't just throw the money at every new craze in education or every new contract that comes up. Use this money to invest wisely in the schools and the educational opportunities for the students of the district.

With 10% unemployment there are lots of people to fill shoes if you need to get rid of a few or a few decide to leave.

Ray Sandey

Good response Jason. It was printed in the JI under one of the candidate's forum that he felt so many people running for positions on the school board must mean the community has a desire for change. The outcome of this election obviously says the majority feel our school board is doing a good job of managing the district. All 3 board members that ran for re-election were elected by a WIDE margin and the co-chair of the referendum committee was as well. That says the majority of our community supports our school system. Thank you to our community for having faith in the board and our schools!

In response to jtwonnerd, it is difficult for a school to purchase new textbooks or add classes that are higher in difficulty etc when there isn't enough money to maintain what we have, much less make additions. This money will help things... we need to support our schools, it's our civic duty in my opinion. Without money to operate them, they won't exist, much less have anything 'great' to offer.

look at the test scores and how they rank locally, and as to the school board raising taxes at will, I am glad you are obviously wealthy enough for that but there are people in this town who are being taxed out of there homes.

Exactly ... wouldn't be as bad if there weren't 4 agencies wanting tax money. It's not that residents do not want to support the schools but there is too much competition for the same dollar. Some other answer - other than property tax increases - is needed in this state for sure.

I have been following this referendum very carefully as have most of the people I have seen posting on this site. A significant number of you disagree with my position and the converse is also true. However, there are a couple of sentiments I have read which give me optimism. As well as illustrate why this process works.

First, it seems that most everyone who has posted has prefaced their statements with an endorsement of the faculty, students and/or importance of our schools. Sure there are a few exceptions but it seems most have a heartfelt desire to see our schools and students excel.

Second, I can find points on which I DO agree with the other perspective. Passing this referendum is not the end. What is done with this funding will determine the success, or failure, of this vote. How effectively and efficiently this money is alloted will be the yard stick used to measure success.

That is alot of pressure, however I (we) have voted for the school board through a democratic process and I, for one, trust these people 100% to do what they have been charged with doing - spend this money wisely to assure that our schools continue to improve and our students (our future) benefit. Congratulations to all those who were elected on Tuesday. Thank you for your involvement in our schools and our community. Know that I trust all of you to do your best.

From a "it's about the kids"(students) perspective,
It is my understanding that the teachers are almost settled. It has generally taken until November every year to finalize contracts. Usually it seems to be the wording inside the contracts is the largest discussion. There are many districts that have not settled.
I am sensitive to the frustration that some feel about the economy. My husband had a great job with health care benefits of $275 for family. That is unheard of, but life was grand (er). Then, in April he was laid off, as was the rest of Minnesota, right? It came down to paying the mortgage or trying to carry the health insurance offered at school. For me, it has been the mortgage. So I pray everyday that my children stay healthy. Now my husband is "back" to work; he had to accept a a temporary job, which will hopefully turn into benefits again soon.
I still go to school everyday with a smile on my face. I still sing to my students to help them to learn. I still stay after school until 4:30 or 5:00 almost everyday to help students without extra compensation because IT IS ABOUT THE KIDS. No matter what anyone says, Jordan teachers have always "CARED ABOUT KIDS". I have a certificate from when I was a kid that says so. I even laminated it. Thank you, Jordan teachers for yesterday, tomorrow, and for a long time into the future.