To the editor:

People who keep their head in the sand letting events of the day go by unnoticed and become history will not notice when events have come full circle.

This is not an original thought, but it does seem to fit the Mehlville school board.

When I first noticed the Mehlville school board in the Call, the topic was Proposition P. I believe there was something about more money being spent than had been authorized. In the Call February 28, 2008, it was reported that voters in November 2000 approved Proposition P, a nearly $68.4 million bond issue. However, a final budget re-vision approved by the board in December 2005 raised the Proposition P budget to $89,137,440 — a roughly 30.3-percent increase — more than 20.7 million over the nearly $68.4 million building-improvement program originally envisioned.

I also remember the Call reporting on March 20, 2008: “Noble taken aback by ’09-’10 operating-fund balance projection.” I remember a quote from a memo by Superintendent Terry Noble that stated, “… Also, I think it would be wise not to be too open with the current budget situation in our public discussions …”

I remember a February 2006 vote when the school board was telling the voters that if they didn’t vote for a 30-percent tax-rate increase they would take buses away from the children. The voters said “no.”

Recently in the Call, I read how the Mehlville school board has made Mr. Noble a millionaire — per board President Tom Diehl, “Because he deserves it.”

I have either heard or read that the state has notified the school districts that they will not be receiving as much support as last year. It has been reported that many school teachers are becoming unemployed.

Now I understand we are coming to the close of another COMPASS phase and the school district will be asking for more money — “Participants eye 94-cent tax hike at final session for COMPASS II.”

Perhaps the people who voted to push our current debt — 15 years — off until our children and grandchildren can pay for our spending — 30 years — will vote for this new money. Keeping in mind that this was done so the school district could have money to spend, I will not.

Novis D. Adkins

Concord