Sunday update
A few thoughts and tidbits:
- I want to clarify some numbers that seem to have confused at least one person (and maybe you, too). In a post a few days ago I compared the $1300+ it would cost our City to hold a special referrendum election to the $1032 it would cost the City to operate the Daycare, on average, for all of 2006. Here’s an explaination of my math: On the “quick facts” page, I shared the most recent numbers from the City (a net cost of $732 as of Sept. 16). Dividing $732 by the 8.5 months of operation so far this year (Jan. 1 – Sept. 16), you get the $86 per month. Now take $86 per month times 12 months for the whole year and–whammo–you get $1032 as the estimated net cost for the City to run the Daycare for 2006. There’s the math, bare naked…
- I’ve intvited MC Daycare director April Johnston to join the Soundboard as an author, so look for a post or a few in the near future. Welcome to the Soundboard, April. I’m open to adding other authors too, so if you’re interested and have something to say, let me know!
- The comments so far on Soundboard have been all in favor and support of a City-managed facility (like we have now). If you disagree with me or any of the comments, please speak your piece! This site isn’t intended to be an argument, but it is for healthy debate and learning from both sides of the story. So, comments are open–please post no matter what your opinion is on the issue! Thanks.
- Friday was a busy day on the Soundboard. As of right now, this blog has enjoyed 424 views since it launched on the night of September 19. Friday was the best day ever with 224 views.
Thanks for reading the Daycare Soundboard…now I need to get ready to watch the Vikings wallup the Bears…[Sunday night update: oops!]
3 comments so far
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The approximate cost of $1300.00 to bring this to a vote will be a one-time expense. The loss of revenue at the daycare thus far, is an annual event of approxmately $1000.00 or much more! I have seen those figures but I’m not sitting on top of them at the moment.
Nancy,
True, the election expense would be one-time. And you’re right about the Daycare losing money each year over the past few years. The important thing I look at is the upward trend. Each year the deficit has been less and less, and now it is at $618 with a good shot at breaking even or better for this year unless something unforseen happens. The City Council has, this year at least, done a great job of being responsible with tax dollars in regard to the daycare. They have taken steps to be sure daycare spending is more frugal and revenues are up. They haven’t done a perfect job, of course, but they’ve been responsible and worked hard at it for the first time. And most importantly, they now realize how child care is a part of an economic development strategy for our community.
I’m not sure if many people realize the struggle that took place over the past couple of years. A year or two ago I was the one leading the charge to privatize the daycare (create a private non-profit that could manage the daycare for the City) because the Council at that time had been very irresponsible with it. I think this community owes the former Daycare board a lot, and nobody realy knows it. Now, we have a Council who is very engaged in managing this project and making sure tax dollars are not wasted in the Daycare. In previous years, the City realy took an “at arms’ legnth” approach to it’s responsibility.
I don’t want to appear like I’m a spokesperson for “the other side”, I’m just trying to point out other ways to look at this situation. I come from a long line of debaters. I believe that to have a well rounded discussion, you have to look at both the pros and cons. Cons are not just evil things that the other side comes up with. They are the facts that raise questions about the pros and vise versa. I try to fully inform myself before I vote in any kind of election. I read Consumer Report, Kiplingers, etc. before I buy a car or appliance. That’s just how I do it.
I agree with you that the daycare is looking better all the time. It looks like they are set to have a great 2007.
I do remember the struggles of the last several years. I used to babysit for one of the committee/board members when she attended meetings. The daycare was just an idea then. That’s going way back. I know that Jamie(sp) worked hard for the daycare and probably almost single handedly turned it around. It’s unfortunate that the board has been reduced to advisory capacity only, I think it was working. If the council is dedicated that can work too.