Question: The school year is about here. I just have to know why, with school taxes so high, do you send letters home telling us that we have to send supplies for the school to use in the classroom?
Answer: We've always asked students to provide supplies on a classroom supply list, even in good times. Over the past three years, however, we have made significant budget cuts, including eliminating nearly all funding for classroom supplies. Under a contingent budget, which the district operated under three years ago, the school is actually legally prohibited from purchasing any supplies for students' use. After eliminating funding for student classroom supplies three years ago, we haven't reinstated that funding.
Why then, you might ask, do the district's spending and school property taxes continue to go up? Our spending is tied to our contractual obligations, and the cost of salaries, benefits, energy and other key district costs continue to rise. School property taxes are increasing faster than our district's spending primarily because of decreasing revenue -- specifically losing nearly $2 million in state aid last year.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent
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It seems that every one I speak with is fed up with the increases in taxes. The reason is always "contractual agreements." I'd like to see the majority of my tax dollar spent on the students of the district not on the assured comfort of district employees throughout retirement. True, energy costs rise and funding is lost but in my opinion in some instances salaries and benifits are out of control. Community members that feel the same need to come out to BOE meetings and FORCE a change to happen!
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