Q the Eye/03.14.11

Dear LakeCountyEye,

So the great and powerful LakeCountyEye thinks our public schools should boost their revenue streams by franchising out space on school property to the likes of beer distributors and payday loan sharks. And you have the impertinence to call yourself a non-partisan blog? There's an old saying where I come from -- probably where you come from too that says -- fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, Oh the humanity!

The Thought Police

Dear Party Pooper,

It's no secret that most Lake County public schools are cost centers that hemorrhage revenue at the taxpayer's expense. Last week this blog published a range of options for school administrators and trustees on how they can turn their operations into revenue producing cash-cows for their constituent stake holders:

Coming Soon: Child-Proof Schools!

And already those with the foresight to invest in your LakeCountyEye's advice are reaping big dividends for their taxpayers. The Daily Herald covers the lesson learned by some schools ...

While most suburban school districts continue to struggle with a weak economy and unreliable state funding, a few have combined strong local tax bases with frugal spending to generate annual surpluses even before their state and federal funding arrives. Districts at the top of that list describe their approach to aggressive budgeting as a culture that permeates the thinking of not only board members and administrators, but teachers, parents and other community members.
Some school districts generating surpluses

But the point is well taken, your LakeCountyEye should cast aside the partisan goggles, and stop trying to pretend to be moderate and non-partisan. Only some ultra-liberal county-club conservative would expect his public school to generate him a surplus by merely operating under budget. A true conservative would want much more, a healthy, double-digit positive cash-flow from out of his child's school, and direct to his wallet.

The free market is all about transforming resources into profits. And what resources do the public schools have in abundance over all other competing units of government? That would be lots of pupils and lots of time. So your LakeCountyEye asks: Why aren't these abundant resources being put to good use? They would be if the free enterprise system wasn't crippled by onerous government regulations that go by the name of: Child Labor Laws. Your LakeCountyEye says it is high time these antiquated laws are finally eliminated from the books. Then the Lake County taxpayer will be looking at some real money!

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com