They're supposed to cut more, not spend more!
While some of the state panels studying ways to reduce our property taxes seem to be searching for ways to do nothing, the panel studying school funding is actually doing something. They're looking to spend more money!
Those boneheads got it backward. They're supposed to be finding ways to REDUCE taxes. Instead, they want to fix the inequities of school spending by spending more. Middle-income districts are hurting - they're supporting the Abbott districts and ratcheting up local property taxes while finding ways to keep their own spending in check. The Abbott districts - which haven't been known for their frugality as they spend money on elaborate schools (with their large atria and the like that will cost a fortune more in the added cost to heat and cool those wide open areas), limo rides for school officials, hordes of "consultants" and putting money toward athletic facilities and pools - spend an "adequate" amount, the state says. The wealthy districts also spend an adequate amount, as their taxpayers pony up the extra money.
So the state is talking about bringing the middle-income districts up to the others. I'm from a middle-income household in a middle-income district. We'd LOVE the money the other districts have. But we know it's coming from our pockets already, and the additional money will come from our pockets. The state has to figure out how to cut spending in those other districts, not just pour more money out.
Those boneheads got it backward. They're supposed to be finding ways to REDUCE taxes. Instead, they want to fix the inequities of school spending by spending more. Middle-income districts are hurting - they're supporting the Abbott districts and ratcheting up local property taxes while finding ways to keep their own spending in check. The Abbott districts - which haven't been known for their frugality as they spend money on elaborate schools (with their large atria and the like that will cost a fortune more in the added cost to heat and cool those wide open areas), limo rides for school officials, hordes of "consultants" and putting money toward athletic facilities and pools - spend an "adequate" amount, the state says. The wealthy districts also spend an adequate amount, as their taxpayers pony up the extra money.
So the state is talking about bringing the middle-income districts up to the others. I'm from a middle-income household in a middle-income district. We'd LOVE the money the other districts have. But we know it's coming from our pockets already, and the additional money will come from our pockets. The state has to figure out how to cut spending in those other districts, not just pour more money out.
2 Comments:
It's your fault, Clare, that the students in Asbury Park are doing so poorly. A wealthy, white homeowner like yourself should pay double what you are paying now in property taxes. You don't pay nearly enough in taxes to support the poor amongst you. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Without Abbott funding paying for Long Branch superintendent Joe F.'s 300K package; I wonder if the ratepayers there would think he's worth it.
You can bet that consolidation of school districts is a HOT topic right now at the school board convention in AC.
Just imagine the potential savings by narrowing the field of 600 + superintendents, business administrators and their staffs to 21.
These folks rant about home rule; there is no such thing, just look at the school board budget approval process. The taxpayer's vote doesn't mean a darn thing.
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