Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Dear School Board,

Didn't the community pass an operating levy with the bond levy to build the new schools? Wasn't this levy ''sold'' as the money to open these schools?

I am hearing a song and dance in the press and meeting minutes about needing more money to open these schools. I think we need an explanation of where the money went , (I think in excess of four million dollars) to open these new schools. Mr. Stemen is correct, the rubber band has stretched as far as it can go, and this has been going on for a long time in my view. The product you are delivering is lessening in quality each year as classrooms burst, portables rattle in the thunderstorms and staffing is really lean. We are hurting our kids.

Some straight talk would be welcome about the ''sell'' of the last levy, the situation now, and how it can go to the flusher in such a short time. Please include a true estimate of the millions if not billions of tax dollars you will require to maintain the current model which in my view is way too lean anyway.

I do not judge the product by the test scores, as the tests are state MINIMUMS and I think we would like something above minimum in this community... but we may be reluctant to pay for it.

MORE TAXES

YES WE DID PASS THE SCHOOL BOND TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL AND JUST PASSED A LEVY FOR EXPENSES AND IN THE PAPER YESTERDAY THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS WE ARE STILL GOING TO BE SHORT. HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLETS AS I PREDICT THEY WILL HIT US UP AGAIN THE NEXT ELECTION OR AT THE LATEST THE ONE AFTER THAT FOR MORE TAXES. WHEN WILL IT END, REMEMBER THE NEW TAXES FOR THE NEW SCHOOL AS NOT REALLY HIT US YET IT WONT FOR A FEW MORE YEARS AND THEN OUR TAXES WILL JUST ABOUT DOUBLE, IN THE MEAN TIME THEY HOPE WE FORGET THAT AND KEEP PASSING LEVIES. YES LISA YOU ARE CORRECT WE NEED A COMPLETE AND HONEST!!! ACCOUNTING OF WHERE THE MONIES HAVE GONE AND HOW MUCH MORE THEY WILL NEED. PICKERINGTON IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND OUR HOMES VALUES HAVE INCREASED ALOT BUT IF THEY KEEP TAXING US IT WILL REACH A POINT WHERE OUR VALUES DROP BECAUSE NOBODY WILL WANT TO MOVE HERE BECAUSE OF THE OUTLANDISH TAXES. LETS HOLD ON TO OUR WALLETS AND HOLD OUR BREATH AND PRAY, IT WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.
THANK YOU
BRUCE ROOKSTOOL

More Money Needed

Lisa,

I noticed your comments asking for the board to explain our school's financial position. I know that people like Dr. Rigelman and Ed Laramee are far more knowledgable about our district's financial situation than I am ... and can explain the current crisis far better. With that said, I do, however, understand the current state of our economy.

The first factor impacting our schools is the economic slow down affecting ALL revenue sources for ALL units of government including schools. Our school district relies more heavily on the 1% income tax than most in Ohio. Income tax revenue is very unpreditable ... it goes up in good times and down in bad. Property tax, on the other hand, is very stable. Now, we all know why school districts want to rely on the stable property tax revenue despite rulings from the Ohio Supreme Court!

Yes, I believe, the average PLSD household income is down a bit (or at least has not grown according to projections). Profitsharing plans, bonuses, and income from stock market/mutual funds all are down ... impacting many of us. My overall income is down slightly from record levels in 1999 & 2000 ... therefore, I have paid less to PLSD in the 1% income tax.

The second huge factor is the soaring costs of health insurance. We just did a workshop for Ohio businesses on this topic ... health care premiums are at record levels. Many businesses are faced with the difficult decision ... keep paying the premiums, let the employees pay them or lay off employees. In fact, this cost may be the 'staw that broke the camel's back' and put some margin businesses into financial disaster. We have 500+ employees' health care premiums to deal with in our schools.

I have a lot of sympathy for the challenge that our board faces. With declining income tax revenue and soaring health care costs, is it appropriate to ask the voters to support another levy when many of our area residents are suffering from the current economic crisis? Or should they just cut expenses such as the advanced courses, the enrichment program, the classes for the gifted that will help my sons tremendously (and no board member needs to even tell me those activities will be the first to go)? Or should they compromise their plans for increase technology and security improvements for our schools?

Yes, it is difficult decision for our board and for many of us. If the board asks for more money, I will work with much passion to get the levy approved and will cut back on some of my household expenses (such entertainment and Christmas/birthday gifts) to help my sons' education. My investment in their education will pay HUGE dividends the rest of their lives ...

no more mark

Let's see Mark makes less money last year and pays less to the school board then tells the rest of us that happened to pay more last year that we need more money for the schools so his kids will have a great future. Seems here that Mark is the selfess one and he should be paying more to the schools to educate his own kids.