It is our position that voters deserve a clear delineation of the merits and distinctions of the latest round of referendum in comparison to the failed January, 2009 plan (voters said no to the new tax). In refusing to acknowledge the spoken will of the people, it seems that our School Board is implying that we voters/taxpayers were ill informed or worse. The Board must do more to show how it has incorporated our votes into its thinking. Asking the same question in rapid fire without reflection reminds one of a petulant child begging for a toy. Can I have it now? Can I have it now? Can I have it now?
Some of the frustration from voters may come from framing of the discourse. Like accusing those opposed to war as being unpatriotic, many blind advocates for increased school funding prefer to believe that anyone opposed to higher taxes must be a kid-hater. Of course, neither is true.
What alternatives have been considered to tax increases? Why where they rejected? We believe that there are alternatives to higher taxes to be considered before concluding that quality education will be forever lost unless the May referendum is approved.
Well said, Terry. Unfortunately, we don't get such debates in HSE. The framing of the issue took hold and it has been the blind leading . . . Well, you know. It's been very troubling also, as you allude, to see the lack of effort in seeking truly independent evaluation of how our district's dollars could be stretched further. Budget review is strictly an insiders' game. Plus ça change, plus la même chose
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