Truth in Taxation and budget time is here. School District 535’s "Tax N Take" practice again raises its ugly head. Proposed cuts are in students’ educational needs’ arena instead of in district superintendent’s/staff salaries/benefits; office furniture (superintendent’s approximately $5,000 desk), travel expenditures.
Obama promises to take from the rich (taxation), and give to the poor. School District 535 promises to take more from taxpayers and give more to the privileged few (highly paid cabinet staff) through salary increases; Superintendent Dallemand’s wants (pricey office furniture/desk); Superintendent’s and cabinet’s increased benefits (travel).
When the "District slashed $9.2 million (2001-2002 school year) the cuts took programs, 75 teaching positions, 74 paraprofessionals from the classrooms resulting in pain/stress for those losing their jobs and those left to cope with bigger class sizes."
Cuts should be made in administration — not education. Taxing children by overburdening parents’ budgets with annual tax increases to avoid cuts is not the answer. The school district has to accept their share of responsibility for the consistent increase in child poverty in this county. Adding their tax hike to the county, city, and state leaves less and less spending power for our children's family/home budgets — less food, warm coats, heating, etc.
Cuts in students’ educational needs are not acceptable!
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Marge Wilson
Rochester
