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March 12, 2008
BBCHS Superintendent Mike Hogan Changes His Story On The Need For Passage Of A Multi-Million Dollar Referendum! OUTRAGE Proven Right!
Funny how the truth comes out in the fullness of time.
BBCHS Superintendent Mike Hogan, without public input, spent $3,000,000 of taxpayer money on 120 acres of farm land several miles east of Route 50 on Larry Power Road. Land, which according to the drainage district in the area, would require a huge lake to be dug because 4000 acres of farm land drains on to the property. Then Mr. Hogan put two huge property tax increase referendums on the ballot in November, 2006. One for borrowing $41,000,000 to build a freshmen only building and a second question asking for on told millions to increase spending on operating the district. All the while telling the voting public how dire the need was for millions of dollars in property tax increases. Statements were made about student enrollment growth projected to be 100 students a year and up. More money would be need for teacher salary increases, pensions, etc.. More teachers and administrators would be needed. Thankfully the voters and OUTRAGE did not buy into the hype. Both referendum questions were voted down.
Superintendent Hogan came back to the voters April, 2007 with a single referendum asking for $41,600,000 for a new school while telling the voters the same stories as he told in the fall of 2006 accept no property tax increase would be needed for increase spending on operating the district. Once again OUTRAGE and the voters did not buy into Mr. Hogan's hype. This time turning down the referendum in every precinct. Fall 2007 enrollment only increased by 17 students. No where near the 100 plus the voters were told would happen. (This fall enrollment is likely to be flat or down)
Now at the March 10, 2008 BBCHS school board meeting, Superintendent Hogan announces there is no need for passage of a property tax referendum. Seems they have plenty of money coming in under their current level of taxation. Further more they can meet their needs by building 5 new classrooms, a new restroom and a weight room in 2009 at the current location on North Street. Funny how the truth comes out in the fullness of time!
What will happen with the 120 acres of farm land the taxpayers have $3,000,000 invested in at $25,000 per acre? With the bursting of the real estate bubble and farm land selling for farm land use at around $5,000 per acre, taxpayers are likely to take a huge loss on this deal. Superintendent Hogan has misled the voters about the financial needs of the district and his action, without voters consent, to purchase farm land for $3,000,000 is likely to be sold at a huge loss. In the private sector when a CEO misrepresents the financial needs of the company and makes bad investments with company funds, the board usually asks for the CEO resignation. The same applies to the BBCHS Board and Mr. Hogan. Time for him to go.