Priorities, not personal agendas, for Dysart schools

OPINION — Dysart Unified School District families deserve thoughtful leadership — not rushed decisions driven by one person’s vision. Yet that is exactly what we are seeing from board President Steve Skvara.

Without forming a committee or seeking meaningful public input, Skvara took it upon himself to draft a $71.4 million bond proposal.

That alone should concern every taxpayer. Even more troubling is that roughly $13.1 million of it appears to be made up of “wants,” not urgent needs.

Let’s be clear: Dysart has real, immediate needs. Anyone paying attention knows that student transportation is among them. We need buses. Reliable, safe transportation is essential to getting kids to school every day. It is not optional. It is not a luxury. It is a core function of the district.

Instead, this proposal includes funding for items like auditorium upgrades and concession-stand improvements.

While those may be nice additions, they should come after the basics are fully addressed.

What is perhaps most frustrating is the process, or lack of one. The public has rejected multiple bond proposals over the years. That should send a clear message: Voters want transparency, collaboration and prioritization of true needs.

Yet here we are again, with a top-down proposal developed with minimal discussion and no broad-based input.

Leadership is not about assuming you know best. It is about listening, engaging and building consensus. When decisions of this magnitude are made in isolation, it erodes trust and confidence.

Concession stands are not bathrooms, Steve. No committees, no PAC, not prepared!

To her credit, board member Dawn Densmore pushed back and asked the right questions. That is the kind of accountability our district needs.

Dysart students deserve better. Taxpayers deserve better. Until this proposal reflects real priorities — like buses — and a transparent process, the answer should be simple: Vote no.

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