That's right.

I have learned that our local middle school just installed five large "plasma" (flat-screen) TVs, along with DDR machines.

In the gym.

"DDR", for those who are not aware, is a video game played with one's feet.  It's rather popular.  The "pedestrian" (civilian) version of the dance pads last about 5 minutes in "heavy" use (especially by kids who might have shoes on!) - the metal, heavy-duty versions that will stand up to the sort of abuse that would be found in a school gym are god-awful expensive (like $500+ each.)

This is what "belt-tightening" is all about folks.  Instead of a handful of soccer balls or utilization of the already existing track (to run on, natch) we now are installing flat-screen televisions hooked to video games in the local middle school gym.

Yes, you can get a "work out" playing such a game.  We have it here in our home and it's not a bad way to expend some calories.  It is, however, rather less fiscally responsible than the alternatives which produce even more caloric output per unit of funds consumed, with the track being the obvious one since it's already there and thus costs zero.

Believe me, Ms. "I know how to blow the taxpayer's money with wild abandon" Tidbits, the next time you come crying poverty and "fiscal responsibility" in this county you're going to face some rather strong opposition from this taxpayer.

When your local school boards tell you they need more money, while you are expected to tighten your belt and stop spending more than you make, tell them that they can begin their fiscal responsibility program by firing the superintendent!

A call to the middle school failed to reach someone who could tell me where the funds came from - but they did confirm the presence of the machines.