Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2017, Page 10

Description:	RALLY FOR THE REFERENDUMIn the November 2016 election, the MCCSC Referendum will be an option on theballot, determining whether or not the school system will receive more funding.Bloomington South takes pride in its variety ofextracurricular activities, in which students are highlyencouraged to participate. With over forty clubs andtwenty sports, after school commitments are just as mucha priority as school academics. However, this staple of theschool and of the whole county may be at risk ofdisappearing. In November of 2016, there will be anationwide referendum vote that will determine whetheror not the Monroe County School System will be given thefunds to sustain programs such as sports, theatre, andlibrary.A similar situation occurred in 2010, when the firstreferendum was passed. Seven million dollars was grantedto the Monroe County School System. They were able tosave certain teachers and all librarians jobs. Junior LaylaMoore recalls seeing the librarian at her elementary schoolpack up, as MCCSC had cut library funds. However, afterthe the referendum vote passed, Moore saw the librarianagain. Moore believes that the referendum should passagain because the school day shouldnt consist of onlyacademics.For senior Ellie Pemberton, the referendum hitshome since she is involved in theatre and has taken manyart classes at South; her favorite being photography withMs. Jennings. Pemberton said that because she is verypassionate about art, the idea that people wouldnt want toput funding behind [it] baffles [her].The 2010 referendum required $0.14 out ofevery $100 in property taxes, while the 2016 referendumrequires $0.1150 out of every $100 in property taxes,such that no matter the results, Bloomington inhabitantsproperty taxes will go down this year.Many people believe that the additional increase inproperty taxes that would be brought on by thereferendum is a worthy trade off. Freshman AlexanderConiaris said that although [he does] not know muchabout taxes, [he knows that] it is still a decrease in taxes,except we still get more money for the school. Everystudent interviewed expressed thoughts along thoselines. While students understanding of the economicsinvolved may be minimal, each of them supports thereferendum for what it could provide for the schools.Coniaris considered the funds a definite plus side thatthe schools could keep growing if the referendum waspassed.The Yes for MCCSC campaign, which advocatesfor the passing of the referendum, has been workinghard to spread awareness. Among prominentcampaigners are parents, teachers, students, and eventhe mayor of Bloomington, John Hamilton.On November 8, in addition to the presidentialelections, the people of Bloomington will decide whetheror not to continue the programs supported by thereferendum. - ZOE BERENSZTEINzOuoz\£>IOoCN-—~»r^>-Q_H<LL_1 1 1oGO101 AcademicsThis year, the presidential election has been flooding thenews, but a surprising twist in this election year is thepopularity of third party candidate, Gary Johnson. Johnsonwas first a Governor of New New Mexico (1955-2003), andthis year has been making waves and has almost begun to beconsidered part of the mainstream media. The coverageJohnson has been receiving has led him to 3 million dollarsin fundraising and impressive poll numbers at 10%. Thispolling will put him on the ballot in all 50 states. PHOTOCOURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS[Having third partycandidates] is good becausethere are more options forpeople to have their interestsrepresented.SOPHOMORETHOMAS BEGGSjTHE RUSSIAN PARALYPMIC TEAM IS BANNED IN DOPING SCANDAL 8/07 [A BOMBER AT A PAKISTANI HOSPITAL
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/9389
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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