My school district is asking for tax payers to approve a tax referendum in the upcoming election. I hate asking people for anything, let alone money. I even usually turn down anything offered to me. I don't know why. It's partly the way I was raised (self-sacrifice is always good) and partly pride. So as you can imagine, it hasn't been easy for me... this whole referendum thing.
However with state revenue continuously below projections and our governor and state superintendent beyond calloused about the plight of public education, I don't know how else we can maintain the momentum and growth that we've worked so hard to achieve. We've cut a lot (1 in 6 teachers) not to mention support staff (assistants, secretaries, and custodial positions). Next athletics and extra-curricular activities have been cut. Finally, teaching salaries and hourly rates are going to be cut. It's not good.
On the way to school today, I encountered several homemade signs against the referendum and against taxes in general. I don't have much of any problems about that really. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, of course. With the conservative extreme right out there championing less taxes, I can see the current trend's influence. I can also see the farmers who own a lot of land will be taxed more than just a homeowner. It doesn't really seem fair to me that they have to pay so much more than everyone else (but if you make more, you pay more). However, the outright negativity in the opposition just doesn't sit well with me for a couple of reasons. (Remember that it's a small town so everyone knows everything about everyone.)
First of all, the biggest and loudest opposition to the referendum are the people with the most money. The people with the $50,000 pick-up trucks, the Hummers, the vacation homes... these people are making the most noise about the higher taxes. One lady even stood up and said that we [teachers] were whining about how much we make when she pays the average teacher salary in property taxes every year. Then her husband talked about their five houses. (I am not sure why they thought this would get her sympathy from teachers who just lost their jobs.) I guess if you make more, it hurts more to give it away. It just gives you the feeling that the rich do not care about everyone else. The wealthy members of the community will be able to afford what the school cannot provide anymore. Unfortunately, most people cannot afford the extras, and many of them do not seem to understand what exactly they are about to lose.
Secondly, and more importantly, does our community not understand that the cost becomes much higher down the road when we do not provide the education our children need now? Many people have championed the cause to do away with art, music, sports, and electives. Farmers of all people should understand the concept of sowing and reaping. You get what you give, and in this case, your return could be exponential.
We may be able to recover financially with or without the referendum. But, will we be able to recover from the sting of the message being sent by our community? The message that I am hearing is: "Our children are not as important to us as our money."
