School levy vote set for May 27

I encourage everyone to get a paper and read the article in its entirety. You need to no the facts and I went to the meeting last night and I have the print out of were the cuts are going to be regaurdless of the levy and were they will be if we don't get the levy. The administration signed and the SB approved their 6.5% pay decrease. They are willing to sacrifice for our children and our town so when do WE start? Teachers are also taking a 4% decrease and may I note that the majority of our teachers and administration are home owners as well. Double Wammy for them but they care enough to sacrifice so I am starting now by fighting for our town and our children. Devistation if it doesn't pass because sports and acedemic comp are GONE and teachers and administration will take another 8.5% cut on top of possibly some ins. cuts. Maint. will be at a min. and we will see this by looking at the schools and the grounds. 4 days a week from 7:30 to 4:30 or possibly 5 and we expect our children to work the same or more hours as their parents. Wow. I have asked the questions and I support the SD and the Mountain Home School district. If you arent able to purchase a paper call an administrator or SB member or ask me if that helps and I will find the answers if I don't already no. How could you not vote yes?? If you love our town and care about our schools let your voice be heard and vote for our youth vote YES. On May 27th.

Thank you proudmom3. I hope everyone in Mountain Home takes what you have printed to heart. Yes the employees of the district are getting hit with the double whammy. I just hope that those who are opposed to this levy realize the sacrafice these teachers and others that work for the district are making and change their minds and vote yes.

Please vote yes on this levy. According to the MHN, "At the top of the list is killing all athletic and academic competitions." We have several students this year receive scholarships on athletics and academics. Including basketball, golf, and debate (that I know of). Taking away athletic and academic competitions will take away this source of scholarships from our town, hurting the students.

Im confused, I was looking for the minutes of last nights meeting on the SD site and I read this:

$2.8 MILLION DOLLAR LEVY

Each year for two (2) years for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2012

Does this mean the SD needs 2.8 million for each year, or is this a one time levy of 2.8 million.

SD site and I read this:

$2.8 MILLION DOLLAR LEVY

Each year for two (2) years for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2012

Does this mean the SD needs 2.8 million for each year, or is this a onetime levy of 2.8 million?

This is what I was talking about; the SB needs to be OPEN and HONEST with the voters. You hear this and that and reading this is clear as mud. It is almost like they are trying to slide something by. I also asked without a good answer; what is the plan in two years if the economy doesn't improve. More than likely the economy will get worse not better.

The districts web site has a sample ballot that clearly states 2.8 million dollars a year for the next two years. A 5.6 million dollar levy dressed up to look like a 2.8 million dollar levy. I wonder why this community is so unwilling to pass a levy.

Be careful what you vote for. I urge each person to read this thing carefully and determine if you can live with it. This is a large levy. It may be worth it, but it also might not be. Once they get the tax they won't give it back. I realize it says for one year. Think back - when did you ever get a tax back? Never. So be very careful. Your vote is very important.

Yep! and I think I mentioned this yesterday!

Proudmom 3 the decrease in pay is a lot more than 4% also gal on base told me today the time frame may be from making the hours l hour later ie 8.15 - 5.15 & her kids were told all kinds of stuff by the teacher, and the kids are scared.!!so as you see way too many rumors out there I urge caution until everything is sorted out and the total facts are given.

YOB killing athletics is not top of the list do some research .

Why hide this information, as if we dont have the good sense to see its not 2.8 million, but at total of 5.6 million. Will there be a line item memo of what this money is being spent on? And Im not talking about a group memo, but a true break down of it. When will the appraisal of the land be made and how soon after will the land go onto the market? I cant vote YES if Im not informed, and I will most certainly vote NO if there isnt some transparency to this issue. I have home schooled before and will home school again, tough as it may be, I would rather do that than play these silly games.

Stinger, do some research yourself.

Athletics is the biggest funding sucker. Yes, pay cuts will happen regardless, but the thing that was clear as day on that funding sheet from the meetings is the plug being pulled on ALL extra-curricular activities.

Stinger: That was a direct quote from the Mountain Home News. I actually say the list of cuts that will be made next year if the Levy fails and althletics were literally at the top of the list.

Not only is that sad, but the teacher pay decrease is at 4% even if the levy passes. If it fails, some teachers salaries will be cut up to 18%. Many teachers are already looking for jobs out of state. If we lose our experienced teachers, we could end up with almost all brand new teachers, and that will definitely hurt our students. Or some teahcers won't even be able to afford to quit because of the pay scale of educators. The possibility of the amount of residents we could lose because of a failure of the levy could really damage our local economy. Once again: Teachers are already underpaid considering the importance of their job, I don't understand how they could survive if up to 18% of their pay is cut.

actually saw**

If the employees of the district are willing to take the 4% pay cut plus pay the extra in property tax I think the other people of Mountain Home should take note. These employees are giving to your children in more ways then just through their education. Seniors get to apply for the circuit breaker for their taxes so this should not affect how much you pay. If you have children attending school in this district think what it would cost to transport them to Boise every day to attend class. It would be a lot more then the $18 to $20 dollars a month that the levi will increase your property taxes.

my brother and sister came home from school talking about this, and about all the cuts that could happen according to what they were told at school, they say if the cuts are made in sports, etc.. they will quit school and stay home and do online classes.

I will vote for yes for this levy for my own reasons, but the children and non-property owners should stay out of the debate. You will not pay the tax increase, I will. I do not have children, but just like the ambulance, fire, and police services I do not use it is my responsiblity to pay for these services.

Again as far as the debate is concerned, the students need to stay out of it, until they get a job, buy a house, and start paying the bills.

Conservative: Sorry. But I believe as a student, I have just as much say in this as any tax payer. (of which I am because I have worked for 2 years) I am a studnet. I am a senior, but even if I were a junior I would still get a say. This is OUR education. This is a public forum. Just because students do not own their own homes and pay property tax does not mean they should be ignored. I will not quietly back out of any issue as important as this simply because I do not pay property taxes. Nor do I think any other student should do if they have a mature opinion on the matter.

So why are we fighting with the WECRD about a pool we already have when we are about to lose sports and alot of other acedemics that our kids need. I do feel bad about the teachers getting a pay cut i really do. BUT as a military member i know how they feel about being underpaid for what they do. I do not want anyone to take a pay cut when we can stop this WECRD junk and pay for a levy to take care of our children....JMO

Your right it is your belief... And it is mine that since you can't vote and do not pay the bill, that your opinion is irrelevant to me. Too many times in todays society we worry what the kids think. I have no children and never plan on having any, but like I said it is my civic duty to provide public education. That way I can have high school kids tell me about how to spend my money.

As far as public education being the cornerstone of a good life... I have worked full time since I was 15 years old. I am a high school dropout and proud of it. I received my GED at the age of 16, two years before I would have graduated. I have a college degree, and I earn 60K a year which is a good wage in Idaho. I bought my house at 20 years old and have never been delinquent on anything in my life time. My point being you do not need a great education to be a productive member of society.

I have the utmost respect for our teachers; and that is the only reason I am voting for this levy. To this day I can not fathom how they deal with the students on a daily basis. I could care less about the students in the district, who complain because they will play less games or not get scholarships to college.

I am a no vote and I went to the meeting.

$58,000 in pay to the athletic director with another $16,240 in benefits. The salary range for many school employees is WELL above the MH average. If teachers did not go into education to get rich, why are they so up in arms over pay cuts? Most in this fine country have had pay cuts on top of pay cuts, if they were lucky enough to remain employed. More work for less pay. Why should teachers be immune?

Our education system needs to get back into the business of EDUCATION as opposed to all of the other things they claim to do. The elimination of sports will not be the end of the world. We were told if the school bond failed that the world here, as we knew it, would come to an end. Funny, we survived. Imagine where we would be had that been approved based on the info the MHSD put out and represented as fact. Imagine?!?!?!

As far as this levy only being an extra $20.00 per month, which could be $240.00 per year based on the value of your home, what happens when taxes also go up for police, fire, the WECRD, roads, etc.? Now your $240.00 becomes $600.00. Then what? As far as seniors being able to get a tax credit---that is not a given. What about the disabled people of this community who are not seniors but are on fixed incomes? People only make so much which means they can only pay so much.

Until you pay property taxes, you cannot understand the situation fully. Once they tax you, you NEVER see a reduction. The more they get, the more they spend. Supply and demand. WE supply more money, they demand more money.

Be smart about what is really going on. Do the research. Look at what YOUR money is spent on. A muddy lake is more clear than this situation. Lies, lies and more lies. Now, will the public do their homework and see this levy for the goat rope that it is? Time will tell. They never did spell out where the levy funds would go and they were very clear at the meeting last night that this would be a ONE YEAR levy. If the MHSD needed more for the following year, they would ask for it. Funny how their own info clearly paints another picture.

I have visions of the bond all over again. Honesty is always the best policy which is something this organization has lacked in the past and clearly has problems with now. In the future, if you ask for public comment maybe allow non-school employees to speak without being talked over. The public sat and listened to what you had to say. We should have been afforded the same consideration without all of the hostility. I would rather give money to Ms. Silsby's legal fund than this mess. Truth could have bought you so much support.

Tracy Lauric

Conservative: Funny cause I'm 18, and I can vote. I will continue to talk about the issue and stay involved. I know a high school education is not required to go to college or be a productive member of society. My brother recieved his GED and was accepted to BSU. But completing a 4-year high school education gives students experience and creates opportunities like scholarships. If we all relied on FAFSA, the gov't would be even more broke than it already is. So if you have lived here and owned your home since 20 years old, you should be proud of what you have accomplished. Not every high school drop out is capable of accomplishing what you have. But you as a community member and a property owner should be proud of what you have paid for since owning your home. Look at the great students we have at our school. Look at the great programs we have. All of which YOU contributed too, whether you could care about it or not.

We both agree to vote yes on the levy. We have different motivations for this but, we do agree to vote yes. I do not want to see the teachers bear the brunt, of lawmakers too scared to make cuts to welfare and other programs I see no need for.

First off yOB, you sound like the rest of the little kids at rallies etc standing behind a cause and having no clue about the whole picture. You have no say, bottom line you don't pay property tax.This is where our country is going so wrong...I understand that it is a important issue to you, as it is me, but I refuse to pay more money into a defunct school district. I am not willing to cut 15 to 20 bucks a month out of my budget when looking down the barrel of 4.00 gas prices again this summer. Is my family fun money more important than public education???? The only way this town will get a yes vote from me on a levy is dissolving the WECRD. When you grow up, and get tired of everybody wanting to tear your hard earned money from you because they are too inept you will understand.

Conservative, I believe anyone 18 or older has the right to vote. As American citizens we all have the right to freely express our opinions. I commend these young people for getting involved with a community issue that will directly affect their future. Todays students will be tomorrows leaders, Dr's, teachers, accountants .....

Ms. Lauric,

"If teachers did not go into education to get rich, why are they so up in arms over pay cuts?" Because their survival is at risk. Teachers are already underpaid considering the importance of their job. Even with the tax levy they will take a pay decrease. Why do we undervalue our educators? They are in charge of motivating and inspiring our future workforce. They are in charge of helping our student decide what to do when they graduate and enter the work force or what they will major in college. It's an important job if you ask me.

"The elimination of sports will not be the end of the world." - That is not what I think. It's a chain effect. A lot of students recieve atheletic/academic competition scholarships. For instance, if there were no debate program at MHHS... I would not be recieving the debate scholarship to BSU next year that I will rely on. Several students from MHHS will be attending college on athletic/academic competition scholarships. If you knew about our students/school, at the end of every school year I believe there is an article on how much that graduating class earned in scholarships that year. It is always well over $100K and sometimes $150K.

"What about the disabled people of this community who are not seniors but are on fixed incomes?" - It is unlikely that a disabled person would own a home on a single fixed income. Those individuals would be much more likely to rent. Even if they would own a home, it's very unlikely that they own it on their own and that they have a spouse or parent/guardian that pays the mortgage.

"Once they tax you, you NEVER see a reduction." -So, in debate class today... I learned that we pay less taxes this year than we did last year. I am not sure if that is state or federal.

"They never did spell out where the levy funds would go..." This levy is to pay for a deficit! Not to add on to what we already have. If the levy fails, to make up for the $2.8 million DEFICIT, the money will come from 1.All athletic/academic competition. 2.Athletic Director position 3. 8 receptionist positions throughout the district 4. Teacher salary decrease up to 18% in some cases. 5.4 day school weeks with longer hours. Once again, this is a deficit.

IdahoGrinder: "You have no say, bottom line you don't pay property tax." I am 18 and I will be voting on this levy.

We are Americans and the only requirement for a person to vote is to be 18 years of age. Women's suffrage and civil rights movements have fought long and hard battles to exercise their right to vote. Do we need "who pays the taxes" to the mix?

I own two homes; does that mean I get two votes?

Maybe it should be proportionate to how much you pay in tax. If that's the case then, I figure I'm good for three votes. Put me down for three yeas then please.

Look, there was an era in U.S. History where my previous example was the way of the land (remember the 3/5 vote for the black man?). We have evolved quite a bit since then...let's not regress.

So back to a previous post I made about this same issue. Sigh...I feel like no one is listening. Homeowner's aren't the only one's paying the property tax. I rent out one of my houses and trust me, my tenant is paying every bit of the property tax on that house and leaving me with a nice profit...thanks Mrs. tenant for paying your rent and my taxes:)

What about the AF dude that lives in base housing that has a kid at the junior high? He doesn't pay taxes right...WRONG. Every dollar he spends in wonderful Mountain Home eventually makes it's way into a homeowner's hands. It's not rocket science people. Stop being simple.

yoB I am so sorry you have to read such ridicule when you are standing up for what you believe in. You show more intellegence and adultism as a majority of posts on here. I do stand behind our youth and not in front of them. Stay strong and your vote does matter and shame on those who try to tell you different.

In my opinion it is the communities responsibility to take care of the schools. However, unless the school board is upfront and honest about the spending of this levy, the community can not and sometimes will not take that responsibility. We hear how the teachers will be taking a pay cut--how about the School Superintident and his staff? What will their pay cut be? The schools in MH are behind in alot of areas academically compared to other states and it would be nice to see the money spent wisely on academics. There have been studies done that prove that a 4 day school week would not benefit our students. People's attention spans are not very long and having a student in 2hr. classes would decrease his/her retention and therefore jeopardize his/her grades. Personally, I don't want to have all the school kids out on Fridays running around with no outlet from extracurricular activities--I can forsee problems there. If the Federal Gov't wouldn't mandate so many stupid policies/programs for our schools we would not be in the predicament we are in. I will be watching this closely to see if the School Board will show some integrity and be open and honest with where the money is to be spent. They need to put a detailed list in the paper and on their website and be accountable to the people.

Just because the MHSD says it is so...does not make it so, they have proved that over and over and over again.

luv2fly, that was a great performance you put on. Are you proud of yourself?

Education spending is not the best spending in our Government. It is also full of waste and expenses that are just not "needed." It is like any other taxing pool, the more you give the more they want. The more you pay, the more they want. Live on a budget and only spend what you have. If you lack the cash, YOU do without. Taxing people out of the area is not the answer either. If I want Eagle taxes then I should get Eagle services.

Let us just ignore the facts from the MHSD meeting (from their little fact sheet). More waste and abuse.

Observer:

Have your facts straight please. What you state is not true or based on fact. Go to the Ada County Court and pull the file. All public record. When a case settles in mediation, out of court, etc. that is how it is noted on the ICR. You are just not all that smart and if that is the best you feel you have against me (lies and untruth) then I am doing well. If you are going to say false things, at least have the guts to sign your name so we can look into what you are up to.

TL

Idahogrinder - HOW DARE you tell someone they don't have a right to vote. Anyone that is 18, lives within the boundaries of the district and is not a convicted felon, can and will vote. Your attitude and ignorance is alarming and borderlines on a violation of someones basic rights. Not paying property taxes has NOTHING TO DO with being able to vote. I live within the district and own property but don't have kids in school. Should I have to pay if I vote no? Should I have to pay at all? Not the way the system works.

And luv2fly, as for owning three homes - well, good for you that you have been able to be prosperous in your investments. But the fact remains - you only get one vote and that is where you take your homeowners exemption. If your exemption is in another county, you do not get a say, even if you do own property within the school district boundaries. It is the law. I wonder how many people are registered to vote that ARE NOT qualified voters in this election because they are not registered properly.

Be careful what you say about renting out one of your houses. The IRS is always looking for people that rent their houses out and then don't pay income tax on the cash. And insurance companies will pull your homeowners insurance if they find out you are misrepresenting the purpose of the dwelling. Just sayin.....

Here is another idea in addition to those I've already provided: go to the four day school week as proposed, but be closed on Monday's. Many holidays are on Mondays. By being closed on Monday the school district will not need to pay the staff holiday pay, thus saving even more money.

Best wishes,

Point missed bearhunter...I was providing a sarcarstic example and if you will re-read my post again, you will see our point is the same.

It doesn't matter whether I own 10 properties or none: I get one vote.

As for the IRS/insurance off topic...but you only pay federal income tax on the profit margin. My point is the source of the money doesn't matter at that point when a tenant is paying fair market value for rent on your home. The tenant in essence, is paying all or at least a good portion of the property tax whether they know it or not.

So again, to reiterate my point(s): a) paying taxes has nothing to do with your right to vote, nor should it. b) property owners are not the only ones who pay taxes.

As for the way I write OM, yes I am proud of my self...but I owe that to the wonderful education system I went through when I was kid.

Cheers

I saw on the news yesterday that Nampa passed a school levy but their taxes are not going to change. I may have missed it but has it been reported how much our taxes are going to go up. If Nampa can pass a levy without raising taxes why can't we.

@small town:

Nampa did not pass a levy without raising taxes. Voters voted to extend and EXISTING levy.

Please read the last paragraph of the article - the Nampa property owners are ALREADY paying the tax (thus, ALREADY supporting their schools). This vote (an 80% majority, GO NAMPA!!!) extends the levy beyond June of this year.

Nampa OK's school levy

Idaho Press Tribune

NAMPA -- Voters in the Nampa School District approved a levy Tuesday that will raise $3.26 million in two years.

The property tax measure passed with nearly 80 percent of the vote, which was 1,391 yes and 360 no. It required only a simple majority of voters.

Supplemental levies can be spent on general operations that cover a wide range of expenses such as textbooks, maintenance, supplies and equipment.

The Nampa School Board decided in February to increase the levy to $1.63 million per year or $3.26 million over a two-year period. This is the most it could levy at this time without raising the tax rate, according to the school district.

The levy would not raise property taxes because the district already has a $1.5 million levy that expires in June.

To find out how much you would pay, use the LEVY CALCULATOR.

Go to the SDs website:

http://mountainhome.id.schoolwebpages.com

On the main page you will find the "Supplemental Levy Information". The last link is a levy calculator tool. Be sure to use the assessed value of your home from your property tax statement, not the APPRAISED value of your home from a home appraisal. It will calculate the approximate tax per month.

If you do not have your tax statement, contact the Assessor's office.

Jo Gridley

Phone: 208.587.2130 Extension 507

Address: Elmore County Courthouse

150 South 4th East Suite 2

Mountain Home Idaho 83647

Hours: 9:00am 5:00pm Monday thru Friday

@small town:

Please read the last paragraph of the article - the Nampa property owners are ALREADY paying the tax (thus, ALREADY supporting their schools). This vote (an 80% majority, GO NAMPA!!!) extends the levy beyond June of this year.

Nampa OK's school levy

Idaho Press Tribune

NAMPA -- Voters in the Nampa School District approved a levy Tuesday that will raise $3.26 million in two years.

The property tax measure passed with nearly 80 percent of the vote, which was 1,391 yes and 360 no. It required only a simple majority of voters.

Supplemental levies can be spent on general operations that cover a wide range of expenses such as textbooks, maintenance, supplies and equipment.

The Nampa School Board decided in February to increase the levy to $1.63 million per year or $3.26 million over a two-year period. This is the most it could levy at this time without raising the tax rate, according to the school district.

The levy would not raise property taxes because the district already has a $1.5 million levy that expires in June.

Riddle me this - Why would any sane young person go into the teaching profession now as long as the the state legislature, the public, the school administrators, and the school board have nothing but pure disdain for teachers? Is the teacher's love of children able to pay bills or put food on their table for their own children? Is there so much jealousy in the community that the haves look down their noses at teachers and the have-nots think teachers are not worth the little money they make? Are you all so willing to put all the blame on the backs of the teachers in lieu of your vacation money?

Can you all come together as a community to look past all emotions, trangressions, and prejudices to solve the problem of the school district without negative rhetoric? Is it time to act as an active and concerned community member?

The way I see it we have 2 options, one is to vote for the levy and provide our students with the tools they need to be productive in life, have the ablity to get a job or go onto college, and pay for that with our property taxes or vote no on the levy, let the education of the students suffer and pay with federal taxes when these students can't get jobs,or don't have what they need to go to college and end up on welfare, for me I would rather pay extra property tax for the education then pay for more people to go on welfare, and it isn't just here, every school district in the nation is going thru the same thing, it isn't the mismanagement of money buy the districts that caused this big mess, it is the government cutting funds that did this. I know some are making the point that the school should learn to live with the money they get, and your right, but how were they to know that the funding would be cut by such a huge amount. By paying for this levy and keeping the programs you may have a student who took welding and can get an entry level position with a company that pays enough to support them,or they may go on and get more training and open their own company employing others, but if the program is cut they won't have that chance, or you may have a student who's parents lost their job and can't afford to send them to college but is good enough to get a sports scholorship allowing them to continue their education. Cut sports and that student no longer has that opportunity. I for one is not willing to do that, I will suck up that $20.00 a month to prevent that from happening. And yes, I am one who has lost my job. I work from home part time on a commission basis, some months I make money other times I don't on general I have lost about $1000.00 a month. I am still willing to do it. I would rather pay for an education of a child than a person who didn't get the education needed and now is on welfare.

To add to my last comment, I also think the every student should be required to give back to the community in some form. The students need to realize you don't get something for nothing, the sport teams can "adopt" a needy family such as an elderly couple, or a single parent who needs help with yard work or a house painted, the medical programs, they can volunter in the Senior Citizen home, the younger kids can go do clean the park day, something that gives back to the commuity. There is alot of need in this community that the students can help with. If we are going to vote yes and help them, than they can find someway to help the community.

OK, Nampa is like four times the size of Mountain Home. Yes that gives them a bigger tax base. But they would also see more students because of teh larger population. So why are they asking for so much less than MHSD? Does Nampa manage their funds better?

The way I understand, the Nampa levy is an add on to the one they already have. So not only do they already have one levy the voters just voted to add onto it. At least that is the way I understand it.

ST, I understand how the levy is going to work out there. My question is why is Nampa School district only asking for $3.26M over two years versus the $5.6 MHSD is asking for over the same period, when Nampa is 4 times the size of Mountain Home?

@VicVega

Your questions regarding the Nampa levy are important ones. I wondered if there was any information on the Internet regarding the history of their levy. I did a quick google search and found some interesting information.

This link:

http://www1.nsd131.org/mainsite/content/district-news.html

has some good information that I think provides some insight into what the Nampa District has done to address their financial troubles, if you're interested.

@VicVega

I just had another thought. I believe that the school district is not just dealing with a cut in state funding but in a reduction of federal impact aid. Nampa doesn't receive impact aid so maybe they had to turn to their voters sooner than the Mtn Home School District had to, if that makes sense.

I am not sure why Nampa asked for less money, but maybe because they already have a levy thier need isn't as great. They may have money left over from the levy already in place.

I would like to acknowledge conservative's excellent point. As a taxpaying citizen as well (I've been working for a year and a half) my money isn't going to service I use, but as citizens and fellow community members, we should be willing to help one another, and help the students.

However, conservative, I do not agree with your comment "students should stay out of it"

Almost every little bit of this levy concerns students. As most of us are not able to vote, piping in on the debate is the only way to be heard.

Yes there are the few ignorant students who really think the voters would give a rip if they left town to attend school in a district with extra curriculars, but then there are the students like Becca and myself (mind you, the only students I've seen on here actually voicing) have been thrusting before you facts on what not passing this levy could do to the entire town.

Please do not discredit informed students because you think we are "too young" to understand or that we "don't get it because we aren't taxpaying homeowners". My parents are homeowners and have me involved in our financial affairs because it gets me a firsthand look at how things will be when I grow up. We know what we're talking about, so please don't act like we don't. We're just as, if not more, informed than most of the ranters and ravers on this website.

So from what I've read on the School District website the money would be used to continue business "as usual" with some cuts. It wouldn't be used for new spending. I'm all for the Levy then. Our kids need our support and they need to stay busy with school and activities. What will they think if the voters of this town don't support the schools?

I am on a fixed income that has not increased because of the economy and cannot afford yet another tax, why are only homeowners being taxed for this, when it's for the whole community, then make the whole community pay for it! I'm tired of paying for other deadbeat bums services that they won't pay.

Moanah: Please, attend the next School Board meeting and tell them your suggestions and that if the levy passes those are the things you would like to see happen.

Something I PERSONALLY want to see happen (I have wanted it to happen since I started driving)... At the high school, I pay 5 bucks to park AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. Then, I end up parking 2 blocks away because the teachers park in the students spots and then when I park in one of the teachers spots not to be late and I get a 5 dollar parking ticket. There is a HUGE grassy yard that I'm sure costs money to maintain that could easily be turned into more parking at the high school.

Moanah, Do are you eluding to parents paying for the local education system and that it is a 'bum's service?'

Even though I am not happy with the SD and SB right now, I am still voting yes for the levy. Guys this is serious. Dont let education go down the toilet because of petty stuff. We are talking about the kids and their future. We need to get take care of the kids and teachers. I just heard that the classied staff is facing a 19% decrease in pay. Thats a lot of money when you dont get paid enough in the first place. Vote YES

Dear Moanah you complain that teachers don't work the whole year did you realize that they dont actually make money during the summer that they have already lost money do to the pay cuts they infact have money taken from their checks throughout the year in order to create their paychecks for the summer.And also that the teachers are supplied with mininmum supplies and anything additional they need they supply out of pocket the school doesnt just continue forking over money. The school funds come from state tax which teachers also pay so they pay their own wages in sorts and the community cannot raise state taxes but they are able to raise property so it is not in order to spoil the "bums" that dont pay taxes but an ability option if you have issues with that take it up with the state government and you said it yourself you have kids in school. If this levy doesnt pass and they cut down on everything you say do you honestly think it will amount to the slight increase in all property taxes? you know save a couple hundred thousand in pensils maybe or letting bits of maintance fall to shamples. vote yes for the levy people you are not just keeping incentives for our children to go to highschool but helping them keep out of trouble without the levy everyone in the economy gets hit say each teacher makes 30,000 a year and your cutting we will round up to 20% if there were only 100 teachers that would still be $600,000 pay cut to the local economy that will hurt everyone folks so please help the community and help the childrens future and especialy help the teachers make a living not many people can live on such a small budget

Lots and lots of bloggers on this topic. However, I see the same old bloggers every single time with the same repetitive comments. It's like a broken record. The same old people who aren't going to vote for the levy just don't really understand the reason behind this levy. These people got a BIG chip on their shoulder and also can't seem to forget and can't let go of the past!!! Ridiculous!!!

Retirementcanbefun: YOU have a BIG chip on your shoulder and can't seem to let go of the past. GROW UP! Have you ever considered counseling and talking about your feelings and how traumatized you were or still are about the SD and SB supposedly lying to you about the supposedly new high school? If you distrust the SD and SB so much then move out of this town. I don't know why you retired here in the first if all you're going to do is complain, complain, complain...or let me rephrase that...whine, whine, whine, whine whine!!!! BLAH BLAH...your comments are GETTING OLD!!! Be quiet already!

TROLL alert!!!

As son of two teachers and a brother of two more, I can tell you; teachers do not get what they earn. But payroll is not all that's required to create a quality education. I am in favor of the levy if it shall not be forgotten what events of ignorance and careless borrowing got us into this mess. Preventive measures need to be taken to allay dollars for future needs, rather than keeping to a one-day-at-a-time, pay-as-you-go attitude. Budgeting should be forecast and predicted and tightly managed to preclude this kind of thing. You'd better be looking at what programs are the most expensive and how to make them more efficient. Things needed, rather than wanted. Please vote yes on the levy and then keep an eye on how this money is laid out. A no vote is a vote for digress.