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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us May 19, 2005 It will be interesting to see what’s next Similar to the outcome of November’s council election, voters again gave sweeping victories to the majority of candidates representing grass-roots opposition to the establishment. Such a phrase in Ashland needs layers of caveats coupled with a grammatical gymnastics routine in an effort to label this so-called cadre of new candidates. We know most of those endorsed by the local Green party won, but they aren’t Green candidates, per se. It’s not that easy. Grass-roots suggests a certain anti-establishment vote, but in Ashland, these folks wield a powerful voting block and exert a significant amount of influence on boards, commissions and the council itself. If they weren’t the establishment before this vote, they are now. All of this muddies analysis of who just won and what they are all about. Based on endorsement letters, a slate of candidates touting greater community input on board decisions and greater openness were those who, for the most part, won staggering victories. Board Chair Amy Amrhein’s victory was the one exception, but that likely had far more to do with her opponent than any political position. The big question is what this decidedly different group of school board members-elect will do once they take office. As is often the case with grass-roots candidates, the actions that most mobilized them are in the past. Briscoe elementary is closed. Lincoln will be before they take office. Even Superintendent Juli DiChiro’s contract will most likely be renewed. So what’s left for this new group to get ahold of and change? Not much of the aforementioned issues. The fate of the physical buildings will likely change, as selling the property is clearly not popular with the incoming board. Based on election promises, more “creative” solutions to budget woes and declining enrollment could be offered, but this is easier campaigned than accomplished. It remains to be seen if new leadership can provide different solutions. The one thing that will change is the process. Expect more residents getting involved in ad hoc committees, review boards or feasibility studies. That’s a good thing, so long as it doesn’t bog down vital decision-making. Greater openness during the decisionmaking process is something we can all hope will pan out. Also, the new board is less likely to look at the system as a whole as a sacred cow that can’t be improved upon. Ashland schools are solid. Other districts might love to swap their problems for ours. But the fact remains, budget reductions are taking their toll, enrollment is declining and creative solutions are needed. The direction of the new board is uncertain. But the board will have new goals, or at least it will offer a change in approach, and that’s probably a good thing for all concerned. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Free Musick Downloads Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks Heloc Calenders 2005 Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Memory Foam Mattress tcg student loan consolidation Home Equity Loans teleconferencing W2 Forms cortisol weight loss Diamonds Futures Broker Bad Credit Loans Auto & Personal Loans Mesothelioma Free Home-Loan Referrals Sports Betting Website Design & Marketing Student Loans African Safari Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems Helzberg Diamonds Currancy Exchange Online Casinos Community Student Loans Bonus Casino Poker Games Homeschooling Auto Insurance Mortgage Calculator Mailing Lists Mystery Shopping Jobs Debt Consolidation Loans Payday Loans Click Here .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams