In regards to our recent failed tax levies, I feel compelled to comment after reading a passionate father's disgust with the defeat of the athletic facility levy. I have never agreed with property taxes in general. It's simply fascinating " they found yet another way to poke a hole in our savings accounts. If it is your property and you own it, why are you being taxed on it? Well, because you chose to. That's the kicker " we chose to be taxed. As a majority we choose what our priorities are, and fund them accordingly. Well, the majority has decided that elaborate school athletic facilities are not a priority right now. Don't make us feel guilty about it. Heating our homes is a priority. Yes, part of it is economy. We're all broke, so we are attempting to revert back to the basics of food, clothing and shelter. It's not just that we don't have the money to support the levy; we are tired of all these entities consistently extending their hand and burdening the taxpayers. You say the kids are exhausted? So are the taxpayers. We're exhausted and we're frustrated. We also realize there will never be an end to the bottomless funnel (levies) depleting our hard-earned dollars. Perhaps the alleged lucrative proceeds of athletic events should be used to refurbish the facilities.
For many years I audited government and non-profit entities. That was my area of expertise. As far as the schools go, in my days of audit I had never seen so much misappropriation of funds and gross fiscal irresponsibility. Think of it in a logical sense, in a "for profit" company there are a lot of watch dogs. Bottom line - someone is looking to profit off that company's success. Nobody owns the school. If the parents and taxpayers actually had the opportunity to see how schools spend money, and further, the waste that schools incur, I think they would be sorely disappointed, put their kids in private school and never pass another school levy. Believe me, schools have areas that they can cut, and this does not include bussing. Cutting out bus service is never the answer; it is only punishment to the parents that did not pass the unnecessarily costly levy. What does the board need to do? Re-appropriate. Cut some fat. Don't tell me you can't, because I have yet to encounter a public school that can't. Show us how important these extravagant athletic facilities are to you, and you make the sacrifices first. Then come to us. Re-evaluate the levy, and minimize it. It's a huge commitment you are asking us for. Don't just keep throwing it on the ballot every six months until you wear enough of us down to sufficiently pass it. That's not fair. Work with us and we will work with you.
Andrea Hobson - Macedonia