While we're asking questions -- one more.

Houston Elementary cost about $11 Million. Maybe $15, by the time you figure in the cost of tearing down an old building and hauling the pieces away.

So we could build about 4 more just like it for less than the $62 million being called for (out of $215 Million) in phase one alone. We could build 4 new schools and have money left for a bus or two and a cop car or five.

Why aren't we voting to do that?

Why are we putting off constuction of elementary schools that we are assured are desparately needed until phase 2 and 3?

Why, if we are "bursting at the seams" and "stuffing kids into portables", are the phase 1 budget priorities anything other than classrooms?