Reader comments
Canyons School District spends $2,400 on party
25 comments | Read story
Shirts? | 8:43 p.m. July 1, 2009
Their matching shirts costs more than $2,800.
True costs | 8:55 p.m. July 1, 2009
I'm having a really hard time believing this is all that was spent. What
about all the advertising that was done? The cost of the newsletter that came
to my home? What about their new signs, the doormats I saw on TV? The shirts
that everyone was wearing on TV? How can 7 buses only cost $16? Seems this list
is really only the tip of the iceberg. I don't really care how much they
spent, but as a taxpayer I want them to be honest about the real costs. Why
does the Canyons feel it even has to defend this? This whole article is very
weird.
Chuck | 11:27 p.m. July 1, 2009
Other big districts probably spend that much to kick off the year. Why not put
that in the article for perspective. This is a once in a hundred year event,
though I hope it doesn't take another 100 years to happen again.
Comments continue below
BYU REPORT | 1:31 a.m. July 2, 2009
The next time Canyons School District shells out cash like that, it better be on
out-dated textbooks!
checkitout | 7:40 a.m. July 2, 2009
$16.00 to run an entire fleet of buses throughout the city? Where are they
buying their fuel? I want in. How much did it cost for hundreds of employees
to take yet another day off to party? Let me guess, only $7.42. What a crack
up! Hey, I know, we will tell the public that this entire split only cost
pennies and they will believe it and say how responsible we are. After that, we
tell them that we are going to lower taxes, lower class sizes and renovate all
of their school buildings for free, and they will believe that also. Finally,
we will tell them that a $400 million dollar bond won't make a difference
on their property taxes either, and like a bunch of lemmings, they will believe
us. Wake up people! You have been duped.
sob | 7:48 a.m. July 2, 2009
it's ok east siders can afford it, that is why they split
Very Telling | 8:06 a.m. July 2, 2009
It looks like the Canyons school district not only got stuck with the old east
side buildings but they inherited all of the "dead wood" teachers and
administrators that were the root of so many problems in the old mega school
district.
Obviously the primary concern of the administrators/teachers in the new district is not the children but "what's in it for me?".
Obviously the primary concern of the administrators/teachers in the new district is not the children but "what's in it for me?".
The real deal | 8:13 a.m. July 2, 2009
That is the reason for the split. They would rather pay for a big party than
help some disadvantaged kid on the west side. The problem in America is that
we've now become more economically polarized and selfish. What made this
country strong was the effort to pull together and provide for the common good.
I predict that eventually, America will have an education system like most third
world countries (one for the wealthy classes and one for the poorer classes).
We are already moving in that direction in Utah, so it will be interesting to
see where we end up in 30 years. If history is any predictor, it won't be
pretty.
get over it | 8:22 a.m. July 2, 2009
Why was this even news? A kickoff event for a new school district isn't
worthy of an expose.
Scandalicious | 8:32 a.m. July 2, 2009
this article is just one more example of why working for the public sector bites
the big boot. Every little expenditure is put under the microscope, and then
when something even looks marginally suspect a huge scandal erupts. Corporations
hold parties for their employees. Churches spend church budgets on more than
just scriptures. But if a school has a party, the whole world comes to an end.
No wonder no one actually wants to work for this sort of organization. You get
low pay, kicked around by parents and the state for not being a miracle worker,
and when it comes to esprit-di-corp, the public cynics put your head in the
public toilet and flush... nice hairdo.
Jason | 9:05 a.m. July 2, 2009
I wish the article would have shown the value of donations made by businesses.
I was more than happy to donate for the event. I just wish I could have given
more.
Voter | 9:15 a.m. July 2, 2009
Unfortunately, instead of creating an efficient, new school district focused on
delivering quality education to our students, we seem to have ended up with a
clone of the inefficient monster bureaucracy we wanted to leave.
If this initial self-serving publicity event, and the blatantly inaccurate reporting of costs is any indication of the way the new district will be run, it may be necessary to fire the entire top management in the coming months.
People have already noticed that the new district's bureaucratic structure is top heavy, bloated and overpaid.
Keep an eye on these people, they are not serving the taxpayers or students of the new district in the manner expected of them.
If this initial self-serving publicity event, and the blatantly inaccurate reporting of costs is any indication of the way the new district will be run, it may be necessary to fire the entire top management in the coming months.
People have already noticed that the new district's bureaucratic structure is top heavy, bloated and overpaid.
Keep an eye on these people, they are not serving the taxpayers or students of the new district in the manner expected of them.
You Get What You Pay For | 9:28 a.m. July 2, 2009
By the looks of the events, you should have hired a professional. This comes
from a marketing professional with 20+ years of experience. You should not
apologize for spending money to showcase a day as historic and significant as
this. To the Canyons administration -- you get what you pay for!
Anonymous | 9:39 a.m. July 2, 2009
As Marie Antoinette said, "let them eat cake."
Webster | 10:22 a.m. July 2, 2009
Lighten up, folks. I'm a taxpayer, too and I believe the launch of a new
district is cause for celebration. I commend the district for spending so
little - it's actually quite amazing they could pull it off on such a tight
budget.
And to everyone who continues to think the district is just for rich, east-side snobs, I live on the east side and am by no means rich. My children will go to Midvale Middle and East Sandy Elementary. I'll look around for rich snobs when school starts, but I don't think I'll find many at either school.
And to everyone who continues to think the district is just for rich, east-side snobs, I live on the east side and am by no means rich. My children will go to Midvale Middle and East Sandy Elementary. I'll look around for rich snobs when school starts, but I don't think I'll find many at either school.
BIASED Media | 11:13 a.m. July 2, 2009
Canyons will always get bad press. You won't ever hear that Jordan spent
more on its logo than CSD did on its entire opening day ceremony! A child could
have made that logo on Publisher for free. CSD spent about $350 on their logo.
BUT, What matters is that our children are getting a great education, no matter
what district they live in. I don't believe they could get a quality
education in a district that had to deal with 90 schools. CSD has great
intentions and I think the press is only stirring up undue resentment. I wish
they would stop already. Both districts have a common goal. Put away the
magnifying glasses and get to business.
yeah right | 12:07 p.m. July 2, 2009
yeah you on the east side get no increase in taxes the west side over 200
dollars average on property. And you have the gall to say you built the schools
on the west side when I was kid draper was farms and farm houses, Riverton was a
city long ago and so was south jordan and west jordan. We built your schools and
your rich buddies took the vote from us. And the poor kids on both side of town
will lose. Have more partys. anyone that reads knows how low life things worked
out.
Transparency? | 12:41 p.m. July 2, 2009
So, is this what the new Canyons District means when it promises transparency?
These numbers are ridiculous. Why would they think that anyone would believe
that a "parade" of seven buses cost $16.31.
As a patron of Canyons School District, I do not care what the District spent on the "inauguration day" events. I do, however, care about class size, teacher compensation, and education technology. I truly hope Dr. Doty and his oh-so-happy team can stop the celebrating begin to work on the fundamentals of public education.
As a patron of Canyons School District, I do not care what the District spent on the "inauguration day" events. I do, however, care about class size, teacher compensation, and education technology. I truly hope Dr. Doty and his oh-so-happy team can stop the celebrating begin to work on the fundamentals of public education.
Laurels | 1:26 p.m. July 2, 2009
I attended the party, rode a Canyons bus, had a piece of birthday cake, and
talked with many district personnel that were in attendance. It was fun!
I know that the Board of Education and the CSD administration have been working long hours to get the school district up and running. CSD administration members were culled from several districts and the USOE. They have good ideas. They will build on what has been done well and will make it even better. Because they come from several districts and varied backgrounds, they have first hand knowledge of what has worked in those districts and can tap into that knowledge.
The atmosphere at the celebration was positive and definitely "can do!" Will it be perfect? No. Will mistakes be made. Of course. Will a new culture be established? I think so. I like the ideas that Dr. Doty has been writing about in his "Between the Lines" articles. His desire to increase academic rigor and improve students' preparation for college is right on. The desire to address safety and seismic issues at the CSD schools is long overdue.
Forge forward. Good luck!
I know that the Board of Education and the CSD administration have been working long hours to get the school district up and running. CSD administration members were culled from several districts and the USOE. They have good ideas. They will build on what has been done well and will make it even better. Because they come from several districts and varied backgrounds, they have first hand knowledge of what has worked in those districts and can tap into that knowledge.
The atmosphere at the celebration was positive and definitely "can do!" Will it be perfect? No. Will mistakes be made. Of course. Will a new culture be established? I think so. I like the ideas that Dr. Doty has been writing about in his "Between the Lines" articles. His desire to increase academic rigor and improve students' preparation for college is right on. The desire to address safety and seismic issues at the CSD schools is long overdue.
Forge forward. Good luck!
re" BIASED Media | 1:36 p.m. July 2, 2009
You're too funny!
This is not a story propagated by the media - biased or otherwise. This is a hyperbol laden press release straight from the district itself. What reporter would go to such great lengths to "prove" that the district is being oh so frugale? Sheesh! This is such an obvious cut and paste job received from the district; I'm surprised that Amy K. Stewart actually signed her name to it!
Then again, I guess if you call comments on this string, pointing out how ridiculous the district claims are, as biased media. I guess you're right!
This is not a story propagated by the media - biased or otherwise. This is a hyperbol laden press release straight from the district itself. What reporter would go to such great lengths to "prove" that the district is being oh so frugale? Sheesh! This is such an obvious cut and paste job received from the district; I'm surprised that Amy K. Stewart actually signed her name to it!
Then again, I guess if you call comments on this string, pointing out how ridiculous the district claims are, as biased media. I guess you're right!
Creative Accounting | 1:49 p.m. July 2, 2009
So, only things that you get receipts for are considered expenses? Can we
assume that the bus drivers, the nutrition services workers, and all the
administrative stuffed shirts were all donating their time at this celebration?
What about all the planning, marketing, chaperoning at the Real game, and
grovelling for business handouts; was that done for free too?
It's no wonder that teachers are undervalued by the administration; they're merely donating their time to teach our children.
It's no wonder that teachers are undervalued by the administration; they're merely donating their time to teach our children.
Anonymous | 2:15 p.m. July 2, 2009
School administrators are almost as bad as politicians.
Anonymous | 11:51 a.m. July 3, 2009
This thing cost at least $20,000 when you figure in all of the salaries out
there for a whole day unless they are giving back one day of pay?
Pastor88 | 1:00 a.m. July 22, 2009
It is obvious that the CSD hired several accountants to cook the books or ride
the gray area.
How long did the buses idle for a/c?
What is the cost per mile on these buses? Not just fuel, but maintenance,insurance,the driver and his compensation package.
Cost of personnel to set up minature golf. Why not just go to a minature golf course with cheap fuel it could have been donated.
Cost of janitorial staff to clean up.
How about the fuel for the motorcycles and escort sevices. I did not see that expense listed.
As I did not see cost of advertising, hourly breakdown of each employee that was being paid to be there. Who benefited from the breakfast? was it open to aall the public? or just school administrators and select dignateries.
Best guess is that when all numbers are added up, which I doubt we will ever see, estimates around 17-26,000 fpor the event.
Now Dr.Doty show us the money!
How long did the buses idle for a/c?
What is the cost per mile on these buses? Not just fuel, but maintenance,insurance,the driver and his compensation package.
Cost of personnel to set up minature golf. Why not just go to a minature golf course with cheap fuel it could have been donated.
Cost of janitorial staff to clean up.
How about the fuel for the motorcycles and escort sevices. I did not see that expense listed.
As I did not see cost of advertising, hourly breakdown of each employee that was being paid to be there. Who benefited from the breakfast? was it open to aall the public? or just school administrators and select dignateries.
Best guess is that when all numbers are added up, which I doubt we will ever see, estimates around 17-26,000 fpor the event.
Now Dr.Doty show us the money!
Pastor88 | 1:08 a.m. July 22, 2009
I wonder how many pencils,library books,paper and other teahing needs could have
been purchased for thaty amount of glorified wasted money
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