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I am a parent who has been involved in school levy campaigns since 1995. Every time, I wonder why we have to go through this ridiculous process. We have to raise money from local businesses, individuals, and school vendors to run our campaign. And then we ask our taxpayers to vote to raise their own taxes. No other taxing authority (city, county, state) has to campaign to cover their basic funding needs. What if the entire population of Minnesota was allowed to vote on what the income tax rates should be? The system is BROKEN. In the past, levies were used by school districts for "extras", and not basic educational needs. But now, because the funding schools receive from the State of Minnesota does not even keep up with inflation, much less cover the special education mandates, these levies have become a necessity. I shudder to think what will happen in our school district (# 721, New Prague) if our levy does not pass. We will potentially lose 91 jobs in the district, and children within 2 miles of their school will have to cross state highways to get to school. The high school principal has told me that class sizes in the core classes of the high school will likely reach 42 students per class. Can you honestly say that you think this is the proper way to educate our children? If so, I believe that your priorities are seriously misplaced. I urge you to work towards a change in the way schools our funded in this state. Mary Jo Haeg | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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