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| April 2, 2007 Rank and File by Nova Stubbs, insurgent49 Not Just Another Bond
On Tuesday, Anchorage residents will once again cast their votes on various issues regarding the welfare of our city. The statewide advisory vote regarding the Legislature’s decision on whether or not to amend the constitution against state employees’ eligibility to receive same-sex partner benefits is something that will illustrate the progressiveness of our state. Are we a state that is stuck in some sort of 1950’s time warp that rejects progressive change, or are we a state that believes in equal rights? That will essentially be determined by the outcome of this vote … and I sure as hell hope we are progressive one. All of the bonds and issues on the ballot this time around have my wheels spinning in some way or another, but there are two issues that I am truly invested. The first being of course the same-sex partner benefits issue, and the other being Proposition 4, the Clark Middle School Renewal and Replacement bond. Sure, to some this is yet another education bond, which are always on the ballot. But this one is different. Clark Middle School is notorious for being on of the most rundown schools in the entire city. Call it ignorance, but I only know the name of a handful of middle schools in the area, and Clark is one of them. This bond is a pretty hefty one at $65,000,000. The Anchorage School District would like to tear down the original school and build a new one. Clark was originally built in 1959, and has only seen minimal upgrades. The gymnasium floor is severely water damaged, the roof leaks in many places throughout the building, the lighting is inadequate, and the school is forced to rely on ten portable buildings due to overcrowding. In fact, Clark’s capacity is at 134% and, according to the ASD website, the school does not meet modern educational standards. It is necessary that this old rundown school be replaced. Clark is located in Mountain View, one of Anchorage’s economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The impact of a brand new school could be great for its students, teachers, and the collective neighborhood. Many studies have been done on the topic of whether or not school facilities impact the outcome of academic performance. Scholars do agree on the fact that simple human comfort, meaning a clean and orderly environment that has a pleasing appearance and functional furniture and equipment, has an impact on the occupants sense of well being, and thus, an impact on the ability to teach and learn. In comparison to the rest of the district ,the 2005-2006 report card shows that Clark students are well below the average in all areas that they were tested: reading, language, and math. Clark students also have a reputation for being “gangsters and thugs.” For crying out loud, they are thirteen and fourteen year old kids! It’s true that many of these students don’t necessarily have an ideal home life and living circumstances, but why should they be punished further by going to a school that has piss poor facilities? Those who vote against the bond, are generally those who don’t really give a fuck about our community anyway. Yes, property taxes will rise some … but I assure you that this time it is definitely worth it. Do it for Mountain View. Do it for Anchorage. Nova Stubbs is a freelance writer and activist, and is co-founder of Insurgent49. Nova resides in an undisclosed location in downtown Anchorage and may be contacted at nova@insurgent49.com. 'Rank and File' appears on insurgent49.com every Monday. |
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March 26, 2007 March 19, 2007 March 12, 2007 March 5, 2007 February 26, 2007 February 19, 2007 February 12, 2007 February 5, 2007 January 29, 2007 January 22, 2007 January 15, 2006 January 8, 2006 January 1, 2007 December 25, 2006 December 18, 2006 December 11, 2006 December 4, 2006 November 27, 2006 November 20, 2006 November 10, 2006 November 3, 2006 October 27, 2006 October 20, 2006 October 13, 2006 October 6, 2006 September 29, 2006 September 22, 2006 September 15, 2006 September 8, 2006 September 1, 2006 August 25, 2006 August 18, 2006 August 11, 2006 August 4, 2006 July 28, 2006 July 21, 2006 July 14, 2006 June 30, 2006 June 23, 2006 June 16, 2006 June 9, 2006 June 2, 2006 May 26, 2006 - also by this writer - The Protest Of Petty Power Kings and Pawns Outside My Anchorage Window Prevoland Stop Requested |
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Reserved. in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership. |
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