Dearest reader,
Dr. Don Killingbeck apparently believes this week's Hemlock discussion is still about the shocking revelation that he is married to Nurse Becky.
Sir...... We are several spreadsheets past Becky.
I looked at that question. I found information showing safeguards were put in place. I have not accused Nurse Becky of wrongdoing.
Then Hemlock residents started sending receipts. A LOT of them......
Since then, we've looked at:
• The $41.9 million bond voters approved in 2022, followed by the district saying there was "nothing else in the current forecast" beyond routine operating renewals and a possible sinking-fund renewal around 2030.
• By 2024, the district was already discussing additional expansion and future space needs.
• The new $17.75 million bond proposal and repeated "0.00 mill net increase" messaging.
• The elementary-space argument, followed by enough MiSchoolData spreadsheets to make Lady B cross-eyed. From 2021–22 to 2025–26, K–5 enrollment grew by 72 students. 48 of those 72 were Schools of Choice. Districtwide enrollment grew by 100 students. Schools of Choice grew by 92.
• School Administration spending increasing from $728,532 to $1,491,211 - 105%.
• Gross capital assets increasing from $34.8 million to $65.6 million.
• Questions about the Fieldhouse, its funding and access.
• A Superintendent contract paying $15,000 annually for "additional duties," with a separate Board-approved job description that the contract says exists.
• That $15,000 equaling 35.5% of a new teacher's $42,230 starting salary.
• Hemlock telling its community to "GET THE FACTS," "Just don't make up the answers," and "Know the facts" - and then telling a voter, "we're required by law to pass this" operating-millage proposal.
And my inbox is still going.
Dr. Killingbeck also took a swipe at the "anonymous personalities" asking these questions.
So let's clear that up too.
My anonymity doesn't change a single number in Hemlock's audited financial statements.
It doesn't change a superintendent contract.
It doesn't change a Board record.
It doesn't change a MiSchoolData enrollment spreadsheet.
It doesn't change what Hemlock told voters in 2022, what it was discussing by 2024, or what it is asking voters for today.
A receipt doesn't become less accurate because you don't know the name of the person holding it.
In fact, for a district currently telling its community to "GET THE FACTS," I'd suggest focusing on the facts rather than the identity of the person reading them.
This isn't about whether Dr. Killingbeck loves his wife. I sincerely hope he does.
It's about public money, public decisions, public records and questions coming from the community he serves.
Dr. Killingbeck ended his post with:
"The fruit can speak for itself."
Perfect.
So can the ledger.
And Lady B has plenty more pages left.
With receipts and respect.
Hemlock Schools
#LadyBudgetdown #HemlockPublicSchools #GetTheFacts #FollowTheMoney #PublicMoney #SchoolFinance #SchoolsOfChoice #TransparencyMatters #PublicRecords #WithReceiptsAndRespect