Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

I have some questions for the PLSD. Whether I vote ''Yes'' or ''No'' on the upcoming bond levy depends on the PLSD's answers. Why don't we all list our questions here. Maybe we'll get answers for a change.

Here are mine:

1. Why are you proposing to build two elementary schools, rather than one somewhat larger one?

2. How do you propose to deal with current overcrowding in grades 5-6, both until these new schools come on line, and after they do?

3. Why do you want funds to buy land? Why buy land now, instead of when we need it?

4. Please describe each of these other ''capital projects'' for which you want my money, the projected cost of each, and your reasons for each?
What's this new bus barn going to cost us?

5. Can you guarantee that these new schools will be designed economically? Are we going to see 16 kinds of bricks on the exterior facades, chandeliers in the entry ways, or expensive interior decorating?

6. How will you make sure that all of these projects come in on time and on budget? How will you keep down the volume of change orders?

7. What incentives will you give contractors to complete their work under budget, and to clean up their mess and not leave a pile of debris?

8. If these projects, or any of them, come in under budget, will you return the savings to us taxpayers (by, for example, using them to pay interest on the bonds), or squander them on new projects that you dream up? How can we be sure?

9. What measures will you take to minimize interest expense on the bonds? Please, no more of that ''No New Millage'' stuff.

10. Can you tell me why its a good idea to build two new elementary schools, rather than continuing to use modular classrooms? How do the total costs (including utilities and upkeep) of new permanent classrooms compare to the total costs of modulars?

11. According to your current enrollment projections, if we build these two new schools, how long will it be before we have to build more of them?

12. Realistically, what are the odds that the PLSD might ever receive any state funding for these two new schools? If so, what will you do with it?

I'll probably have more questions as time goes by. But these are my top ones right now. Give me good answers to these questions, PLSD, and you'll have my vote. Otherwise, color me ''No.''





By Yosemite Pam

You GO Pam! Here's more..

Pam,

Here?’s some more:

1. Can a 1,000 to 1,200 student elementary be built so there are 4 wings each housing a grade (1-4) with sufficient common space to assure no kids eats lunch in the gym or plays basketball in the cafeteria? If the answer is no, please specify why not.
2. Can a unique place be set up for kindergarten?
3. Can Harmon and Diley be expanded both in classroom space and common space to accommodate 200-500 more students?
4. Since there seems to be no method in place to determine future growth locations in the district, what method is used to determine where you need land to build schools at?
5. Is the rumor true that PLSD is in a process to obtain land near Pickerington Road and SR33 or anywhere near that area? Does this play into the township?’s plan to continue to press ODOT to move the next interchange to Allen Road so the trustees?’ families can cash in?
6. The city has a capital improvements plan. Do you?
7. Is it possible, based on past construction projects, that you don?’t have the expertise to effectively and efficiently manage large-scale construction projects? Can you hire a construction management entity that has no financial interest in the process?
8. Since I don?’t believe it possible for you to pass a construction levy at this time, what are the ramifications of failing to pass operation levies, whether they are renewal, continuing or new or any other types you may considering?
9. Since I have it on good authority that the city will attempt to place an income tax increase on the ballot from 1% to 2 or 2 1/2% (with no increase in the level of service they provide), plan to increase water and sewer user fees and set them on an annual increase scale (with no increase in the level of service they provide), do away with the income tax credit (with no increase in the level of service they provide) and put up a police renewal levy (with no increase in the level of service they provide), in addition to what the county is planning (with no increase in the level of service they provide), how accurate are the rumors that PLSD will also attempt to increase the income tax from 1% to 2%? And what is your projected level of increase in service? Can you stop pay to play? Can you reduce school fees?

I am with Pam on this. I have to continue to vote no until all issues in the district are addressed. Don?’t just tell me it?’s for the kids or we?’re out of space or our costs are going up. Show me you are taking into consideration everyone else?’s plight in seeking to get more out of my wallet. Show me that al the governing entities can work together. Show me that the biggest businesses in the district can plan and cooperate and share.

PLSD INCOME TAX INCREASE

AN INCREASE IN PLSD INCOME TAX IS A NON-ISSUE. NO ONE WILL SUPPORT IT. I SUPPORT DROPPING THE TAX ALL TOGETHER. IT AFFECTS SENIORS AND FIXED INCOME TOO MUCH.

Income Tax

Your question, I take it, is whether the school board is considering asking us voters for an increase in the school district income tax rate. Your concern is that this might be particularly hard on seniors.

I have no reason to believe anything like that is being seriously considered. I wonder, however, whether it would have the impact you fear.

I have always thought that an income tax did not weigh as heavily as a property tax on people with fixed incomes. So long as the rate remains constant, the tax on such people remains constant. Property tax, however, can increase with increases in property valuations, regardless of the homeowner's income.

Something for you to think about.

By Yosemite Pam