Thursday, November 6, 2014

Think It Thursday: When the School Levy Doesn't Pass

Recently our local school district had a seven year emergency levy on the ballot for $8.9 million, that would generate $1.57 million a year. It was voted against at the polls & for the first time ever, I was furious. 


You seem our district has already cut all the corners that they could. Positions have been eliminated, wages have been froze & programs for the students have been eliminated as well. But thanks to the amazing staff, the students have not suffered. Actually, they're all thriving. 

But what does the failure to pass yet another levy mean? That means that the gap remains from the loss of about $1.2 million in state & federal funding & the loss of tangible personal property tax. That means that the elementary & middle school teachers will continue to integrate art class into the weekly curriculum themselves. That means that varsity soccer will have to wait. That means that schools security is still left to the very small local police department. That means that new technology will most likely depend on fundraisers. That means that "pay to play" is most likely going to happen. That means that busing for grades 7-12 may be eliminated for a district that covers 100 sq. miles. That means that a 47 year old high school will need to forgo maintenance issues. 

All because homeowners don't want to pay an extra $300-$500 in taxes every year. Because that's about what it would amount to for the average $100,000 home. And when you put it that way, it doesn't seem so bad, does it?


21 comments:

  1. Property taxes are always a touchy subject. It's especially hard to convince homeowners when they don't have school aged children, or have already finished raising their kids, and all they see is increases in taxes year after year.

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  2. This is so hard to see school funding getting cut. It really just is hard for the kids!

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  3. People are always going to complain about giving money to the 'government' no matter the cause. While it doesn't mean a huge dent to some, to others, that could mean them losing their home if they have to pay that much more in taxes. Some are barely getting by as it is. Not everyone has their taxes rolled into their mortgage. Some pay out of pocket easy season. So, it really is a lot to consider even when looking at the $100,000 balance.

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  4. Ours did pass, but we're worried about how much our taxes are going to go up now. There was no set things of caps, etc. Sometimes it's a good idea, other times, they need to make the wording make sense!!

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  5. We've had things like this come up around here, too, and they never pass. I don't get it.

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  6. Sounds like things need to change in your school district. I think everyone is in trouble financially right now... Including many homeowners. Not sure what the answer is. Sorry this is happening in your district.... I am sure it is happening lots more places.

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  7. I think it's so sad that people can't see the big picture and realize how important education is for our country. $500 a year in extra taxes seems a small investment for raising an educated generation.

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  8. It's always frustrating when schools don't get enough funding. It can really affect the education that kids get. I am glad that the staff at your schools have gone above and beyond, but I am sorry they have to.

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  9. My kids aren't in school yet - but I always vote for tax increases in favor of education. It's sad that adults can't see the benefit in funding our future.

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  10. Some people don't see things the same, but education is definitely important. How are the test scores? Is it related to that?

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  11. It is always very disappointing when people don't back the school systems in the elections. I know that there can financial waste in the school districts but it seems wrong to not support education.

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  12. How awful! Tax issues I always find people are either for or against and it'd a tough battle. Sucks when kids have to suffer though and that's exactly what will happen.

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  13. I don't know why they are always so quick to cut school things, it seems they go to our childrens education first.

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  14. Due to some bad accounting and embezzling, our local school was millions in debt. The school was near closing and it was voted to have a 1 cent tax on every purchase in the city.. It passed and raised over $1 million in one year. They continued it for another year to get out of debt and ended up having enough money left to build a new school. Sometimes paying a little more is better.

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  15. It took over a decade for our district to pass a nomination to get air conditioning in the schools.

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  16. I hope in the future that things can change for the better for you - I have to admit I don't really understand it as it sounds very different to how things work here :)

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  17. Local politics can be draining! I had no idea that it was so difficult to make change.

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  18. I wish things could get better - I can only imagine how a headache this could be.

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  19. Some people can't afford paying more taxes, in fact people in general don't want to pay more; it's all so hard!

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  20. As an educator, I know all too well about budget cuts. The ones who lose out are the kids.

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  21. I hate politics. I pay a good amount of taxes each year for our school district. I do not send my kids there though for my own reasons. My kids' school struggles every year to make ends meet so I know what you are feeling.

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