Bond group didn’t learn anything

Just like a petulant toddler screaming for candy at a checkout line, supporters of the school bond are back with the same proposal to say, “But I want it!”

They didn’t cut down costs or remove wasteful and unnecessary gyms.

They didn’t learn anything from a vote of over 60 percent no that needed to pass with a “60 yes” in a record-high-turnout school board race.

They concluded that the problem was that the voters weren’t “educated.” They are arguing from a position that they are right and if we do not agree it is because we are not smart enough to know they are right.

So for the sake of their edification, we know.

We know that this isn’t just a new burden to farmers and it will raise the rent and cost of living in Greene County for everyone.

We have done the math and know that raising our taxes doesn’t “save” us money in the short or long term.

We know that the population of students continues to get smaller and there is no capacity issue.

It seems that those pushing the bond didn’t learn anything last year except that they were going to have to spend more money to try again to make it pass. But they apparently didn’t learn last year when I called foul on them spending public money to pass a ballot measure to raise our taxes.

A domain search reveals that Tim Buenz, the director of technology for the school district, registered a website on behalf of his organization, GCSD, expressly advocating a yes vote on the bond.

The Iowa Code states under 68A.505 Use of public moneys for political purposes: The state and the governing body of a county, city or other political subdivision of the state shall not expend or permit the expenditure of public moneys for political purposes, including expressly advocating the passage or defeat of a ballot issue.

Under 721.2 NONFELONIOUS MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE. Any public officer or employee, or any person acting under color of such office or employment, who knowingly does any of the following, commits a serious misdemeanor: By color of the person’s office and in excess of the authority conferred on the person by that office, requires any person to do anything or to refrain from doing any lawful thing.

The superintendent, Tim Christensen, is either directing or negligently allowing employees to break the law.

His ability to serve as a leader in our community and set an example for our children has been compromised.

The school board had a duty to refer this matter to the county attorney for investigation and Christensen needs to resign.

John Thompson, of Jefferson, serves on the State Central Committee for the Republican Party of Iowa.