ForHilliardKids is, once again, opposing the tax increase on the ballot this November.
We receive the following question from many people. It's an interesting question because we doubt the question is ever asked in reverse to the people who support tax increase. But here it is:
"What would it take for you to support the levy?"
The said fact is if people understood why we're opposing this tax increase, they wouldn't need to ask the question. So, to make it simple for everyone to understand, here's all you need to know about this upcoming levy:
Since 2005:
- Hilliard property values have fallen an average of 4.2%, according to the Franklin County Auditor.
- Enrollment in the Hilliard School District is up 6-7%, according to the School District.
- District spending and revenues are both up 28%, according to the adjusted 5 year forecast used by the Board of Education to determine the levy amount in August.
If you give the district a dollar, they spend it. They have made no provision in the past 6 years for leaner times. They knew that the funding contribution from the State of Ohio was going to be cut, but sat idly by and did nothing to prepare for it.
And now that the money is gone, their only answer is to come back to the tax payer yet again with what amounts to an additional 11% increase!
So ask yourself these questions:
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WHY do they need such as large increase in spending for just a 6% increase in the student population?
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WHERE is all the money going?
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DOES IT MAKE SENSE to send even more money to a district that has squandered the generous sums taxpayers have already provided?
If you take all of this into consideration, you understand why we are opposing this tax increase.
And you should also be able to figure out when we'll start supporting any kind of increase.
And, hopefully, you will realize too that giving the district more money is not the solution. A change of management is the solution. And that opportunity also exists this November when we get to elect two new members of the School Board.
If
we don't start putting solutions in place soon, the end result will be
substantial cuts later on that will have a horribly negative effect on
the education of the next generation of kids -- those who have yet to
start school. If you are the parent of a child 5 or under, this is your
children's future at stake. The tax increases over the next 15-20
years needed to support the current spending projections is staggering -- close to half a BILLION dollars!
We MUST fix this problem before it is too late!
Stay tuned to our blog. And please, if you feel the way we do, please donate a few dollars to the cause as well.
Please support us so we can inform as many voters as possible about the HCSD's irresponsible spending.
Thank you!
Paid for by ForHilliardKids, Louis Menduni, Treasurer, 3060 Scioto Darby Executive Ct., Hilliard, OH 43026