I've had several inquiries from readers questioning whether Rick Santorum paid for the use of the Capital High auditorium and gym, including janitorial services, electricity and security.
No, he didn't, in keeping with the district's policy for facilities regarding events of general public interest, said Boise School District spokesman Dan Hollar.
Hollar said the district already had staff on hand Tuesday, including janitorial, and that Santorum was treated in a manner similar to a state or local official holding a free and open public meeting. "It's a public building, taxpayer supported, so we treat everybody evenly," Hollar said.
Borah High School, for example, is used monthly by the District 17 all-Democrat legislative delegation for meeting constituents. Lawmakers and statewide elected officials hold public meetings at schools. Candidate debates are held at schools, including a congressional debate at Eagle High School in 2010.
Had there been extra costs, Hollar said Santorum might have paid a fee. "Had it been on a weekend and there were additional expenses we would have looked at charging."
What about additional litter and electricity for TV cameras and laptops, like the one I had hooked up at the Capital auditorium? "I don't think we got down to that point to be honest with you," Hollar said.
Thank goodness. Santorum's visit was a boost to Idaho, as will be Mitt Romney's Friday and Ron Paul's Saturday. Paul is renting CenturyLink Arena for his Boise rally, but in Twin Falls today he appeared at Twin Falls High School.
Among the crowd watching Santorum were students -- imagine that -- who were learning something memorable about their country and self-governance.
Paden Munson, a Capital senior, will vote for the first time this year. His government teacher and football coach had the audacity to suggest that students attend. Good for Coach Todd Simis.
Calvin Furhiman, another Capital senior, honored Santorum's sartorial taste. "I think Santorum's funny -- that's why I wore this sweater vest."
For those who oppose using a public resource to advance public discourse, sorry, I think you misread how public institutions work together to advance community good. End of sermon.
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Why is letting a loser in with 100's of friends...
good for Boise schools?
It's good for the janitor though
OVERTIME
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Believe in yourself. At least you won't troll yourself in blogs.
Popkey, you left out
that schools are also often used as polling places during elections. I like the use of public buildings for voting, I've never really felt comfortable voting in a church who's views I disagree with. There is a big difference in "publicly owned" and "open to the public".
Republicans claimed he would pay
My girlfriend called the Republican party with this question and was told that Santorum would pay "just like anyone else."
And so he did.
Anyone else would pay nothing, too. Right?
Wrong
See my comment below. If a local non-profit organization like the Boise Philharmonic has to pay, even for a education concert, these politicos of any stripe should pay, and pay more. They are not educating, but agitating.
It seems
that the only ones that have opposed using a public resource to advance public discourse lately, has been the Idaho State Legislature. If they don't like people using a public resource, they just pass a law and have them evicted.
TV cameras
They run off batteries - and aren't generally plugged in. The TV crews have generators in their trucks which would have supplied power for any light or the small TV monitors they use.
Candidates should pay
Debates between TWO or more differing candidates/opinions, already elected local/state officials holding listening/info. sessions, guest speakers, and other public groups needing meeting space sound fine, and a good use of school facilities.
But Candidates giving their uninterrupted spiel while running for office? - Presidential or otherwise- raising ungodly sums, spending it on tv, radio, print, travel, etc., but can't pay a nominal fee for use of the public tax supported school auditorium and janitorial overtime/extra work?
Yes, it's better he spend all that dough elsewhere. God forbid Idaho and the patron's of the Boise District get their fair share. We could always have another levy to help...oh wait we already are!
Holding this at an Educational facility
seems a little funny for Rick InSanitorium, who wants people to stop funding higher education. Did he urge students to drop out, so they could stay uneducated enough to vote for him?
Thanks
thanks for the follow up on this Popkey.
reasonable
Here is a link to the District policy
http://www.boiseschools.org/board/policy/4000/4320.pdf
Church use of school property
http://www.boiseschools.org/board/policy/4000/4321.pdf
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The use of school facilities for currently elected and ongoing elections and other necessary events is a no-brainer.
But when the alternative for *a candidate* is renting a banquet hall, a private concert hall, it brings the value of that High School to light. And when a single person Superindentent has the approval or denial power (subject to a timely appeal process), it could be a slippery slope.
"Sorry our high school in the highly liberal neighborhood is not available, but the one on the other side of the tracks is available".
"Hey his was free, why isn't mine?"
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Well, if we're gonna build million dollar clock towers, we might as well use em!
if that was their standard practice
then I have no complaints. Thanks for researching the issue.
FOUL!!!!!!
I was executive director of the Boise Philharmonic for 10 years until 2010, and every time we played a concert, even an education concert, in any high school gym, we had to pay around $750 for the privilege.
Now, along comes Santorum (IMHO a rabble-rousing bigot and dirt bag) and because he's running for President (Buddha help us!) he gets the place for free???? FOUL!!!
Not a surprise....just business as usual
The difference isn't surprising. It's just the club taking care of its own, considering public property to be their own.
Yes it is! When the scandal erupts they won't be tied further.
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Believe in yourself. At least you won't troll yourself in blogs.