It's hard to imagine how one administrator is so in tune to the fact that poverty has increased by so much for so many of Beloit's students, and at the same time, the superintendent is asking Beloit taxpayers to vote for a tax increase. It might be better to ask for enough to take care of the necessary building improvements now, and save the wish list items (pool, tennis courts, fitness center) for a time when people are in better shape financially.
Last year 73.3% of our kids needed free or reduced lunch. That means almost 3/4 of Beloit's kids need help buying lunch. Children living in poverty increased 63.7% since 2003. More than 30% of Beloit's kids now live in poverty! The statewide average is 17%.
The last thing these people need right now is higher taxes.
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Wisconsin Department of Instruction poverty statistics
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Dear School Board members, and Superintendent
ReplyDeleteWe need to begin a discussion about the macro-economic data that directly effects our local economy. The debt crisis that affects this Nation, and many Governments around the world, naturally limits the options that the governments involved have in dealing with their current problems. The same effect of course is felt at the local level, but we do not have the option that the federal government has, we cannot crank up the printing presses to keep servicing our debts... we must make good on those debts, no matter how the economy fluctuates. With that in mind, and considering the very uncertain future economic outlook, I request that the School Board avoid committing the citizens of Beloit to new debt, at least until the unemployment rate returns to more normal and moderate levels.
Federal or national governments can be less responsible, much longer and much more so than states or municipalities. When federal governments get into trouble because they've been spending more than their economic circumstances would allow, they can default by non-payment such as Greece has done, or by the printing of money like the U.S. has been doing. We at the municipal level cannot, and it would be a substantial burden for our citizens to enter into another extended recession carrying new long term debts.
There are many forward looking indicators, compiled by both public and private sources, that point to "rough times ahead." The severity of the negative economic outlook foreseen, varies from the distinct likelihood of a mild recession that is now starting in Europe and then carries through to the United States, to a possibility of an extended period of severe economic distress brought on by defaults in Greece, Spain, Portugal, & Italy, and the failure of the U.S. Congress to get America's fiscal house in order.
Any of the above scenarios will bring even more difficult times to our local economy then we have experienced in recent years. A thoughtful reflection on the above, would suggest that now is the time for a period of prudent austerity, and modest spending, rather than a time for initiating a program that would require the renewed burdens of new long term debt.
The School administration appears to be completely out of touch with the community that they are supposed to represent, and the State that has to make up the difference in funding.
ReplyDeleteThe community, the State, and the Country are all hurting. The only thing that has prevented a full-blown depression thus far, has been the multi-year-long series of unemployment checks that have kept a large segment of the population in their homes and not living on the streets. We can discuss all of the fundamental reasons for the present economic environment, but that will not change the day-to-day facts of the life that many families are currently experiencing in our community.
If the schools have some maintenance issues, lets fix them. If they need some repairs, lets make them. Let's pay our bills, without further overburdening the taxpayers.
Beloit taxpayers cannot afford increased taxes at this time.
Some School administration officials appear to believe, as evidenced by their words and their actions, that they assume the public has an unending supply of cash, from which they might extract as much as they wish.
ReplyDeleteThis 70 million dollar referendum will commit the taxpayers to decades of new long term debt during the worst economic downturn since the great depression. It will take a full generation to pay it off.
My house is over 60 years old and it's still in excellent condition. Do schools need replacing every generation or two ? I find it difficult to believe that we've been neglecting our current schools.
It is time to get our fiscal house in order and take care of business. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to start a serious program to economize, and give the taxpayers a break.
It's time to fully educate our students to prepare them for the workforce, to turn out citizens that are prepared to enter society and fulfill their civic responsibilities..... But..... We see no reason that this cannot be done effectively and efficiently, with the more than ample monies that are already collected from the citizens of Beloit.