Farmington Schools Bond Opponents Hope Officials Re-Evaluate Priorities

Opponents of two Farmington Public Schools bond proposals say district officials "didn't understand where people stand on large sums of money." 

Voters defeated Proposal 1, $154.6 million for safety and security, infrastructure improvements and technology, by 248 votes. Proposal 2, $31.6 million for artificial turf replacement and track resurfacing, high school auditorium improvements and a technology refresh, went down by more than 1,300 votes. 

"We're hoping they'll re-evaluate their priorities, and understand what those of us who are opposed feel about fiscal responsibility," said Sue Burstein Kahn, the group's treasurer. 

Linda Stulberg, also a member of the group, said people at the polls told her they were "surprised at what wonderful condition the schools were in," after seeing photos the district distributed of areas that were in poor condition.

Burstein Kahn repeated something her husband, board member Murray Kahn, said about the two-part bond. 

"He voted (to put the proposals on the ballot) because he felt it was up to the voters, but he also said he believed this would be a referendum on the school board and the administration," she said, "and that's what it was."

A number of issues over the past few years, Burstein Kahn said, have left residents with "very little trust" in the district's decision-making. She also cited the "venom that was out there in the community ... and that starts at the top." 

"They've divided this community, and it's now time for them to bring us back together as a community," she added. 

Farmington Kids 1st will remain in place, and their next move, Burstein Kahn said, depends on what the school district does next. 

"They need a long-range plan," she said. "They need to have that, before they ask for the money."