Sunday, March 8, 2009

bad economy requires sacrifice from schools

With the worst economy in 30 years, everyone--both individuals and businesses--realize that it can no longer be business as usual. Everyone is making sacrifices and adjustments. Unnecessary expenses are being cut out, and everyone is trying to make due with less.

However, I still have yet to see any real movement to reducing the awful property tax burden imposed on the taxpayers of Leigh District 39. The small clique in Leigh who want "a school at any cost" simply refuse to see the changing economic climate.

The recent resignation of the Leigh Superintendent, together with the election of certain persons to the Leigh School Board, indicates a strong re-trenchment against consolidation. The recent consolidation movements seriously frightened certain people, and they are determined to not hear any such nonsense about school consolidation again!

However, despite how much they may hate it, we now must add a declining economy to the declining population of school age persons in this district. Additionally, the certain consolidation of the Clarkson and Howells districts puts Leigh in an exceedingly difficult position.

I urge everyone concerned about the high property tax burden in the Leigh District to let the school board members know that IMMEDIATE and DEFINITE reductions of the real estate tax burden need to be the first priority.