Keep in mind that as the economy struggles on the edge of the abyss, your local school employees are secure in their jobs.
Let's see, they have job security, almost 7% average annual raises, and great retirement, all funded by you -- taxpayers. Those folks must really be feeling the stress of these trying times.
Yes, keep all this in mind as you budget for the Christmas.
And don't forget that your credit card bills will hit early next year, to be closely followed by your property tax increase and escrow make-up (close to $1500 for the average priced house). That is a bill I'm certain you are not prepared to pay.
Oh, and keep this in mind: There is no school district deficit this fiscal year. It's gone, just like your tax dollars.
Your local OFK rep spun a tale of lies and deceit. Nice folks. But it's all for the kids. It is. Ask the teachers and administrators.
12 comments:
Jim,
What do you mean by "there is no district deficit this fiscal year?"
We were told the district was $2M in the red for FY'09. That the people of this district HAD to pass the levey or the district would be forced to cut $10M in services.
What's up?
Ralph
wondering what the conversations are inside the McMansions in NW Columbus these days. Also in New Albany. wondering if they're trying to decide what to do with their debts, bills, accounts, stocks, etc. wondering if they are afraid of losing their jobs. wondering if they still plan to pass those school taxes.
Ralph,
The deficit was wiped away last February -- right before the election. The district is going to show at least a $4 million surplus. And, the $6 million can be added to each year on the forecast. The October Five Year Forecast is due by the end of October. We will see the changes (as reported)once the report hits the ODE web site (should be less than a week later).
Ralph,
The $6 million refers to the net change from negative $2 million to positive $4 million.
Jim,
Does the $4M surplus take into account the new tax revenue stream from the passed levy?
If not, then one would conclude that our actual budget surplus for 2009 will be significantly more than $4M.... something like $4M plus $8M (new tax revenue from levy) = $12M surplus.
Jim/Ralph:
First time contributor, long time reader, Concerned Citizen!
In addition to the new surplus, what happened to the unencumbered $37m in March from old levies...that now is down to $23m? Yet, all those projects were completed last year...or encumbered for this year.
Mrs. Smith's questions were quite valid on Tueday night. Too bad they didn't care to discuss them and gave the treasurer a raise anyhow!
4:02 -
The deficit was cleared without the levy. It was cleared back in February of this year. We will see it all on the October Five Year Forecast.
C.C. --
I am not that close to those figures. Submit a public records request (you can do it anonymously from a gmail account) asking for all expenditures from those issue and let me know. Thanks!
After listening to the Audio for Sept 23, 2008 I am appalled when the board’s members told Mrs. Smith that was enough. Mrs. Smith was very upset about money not being accounted for, and it seems like the board member did not want the public to hear about the missing money. Every taxpayer needs to question the board on Oct 14 at 6:00pm about the missing money and why they gave the treasurer a rise, when it is clearly she is not doing her job. Where is YOUR TaxPayer money going? It is clear that Olentangy School Board is Not for the KIDS.
Please come to the Oct 14, 2008 Meeting to make the board answer your questions about the 418,000 missing money.
You can’t do anything by writing your complaints, go to the board meeting Oct 14, 2008 at 6:00pm.
You need to get the financials statement from the treasurer to see where your tax money is going. Know your facts before you speak. We need Change; we need to question on how they are spending our money. We need to come together to get Change. One person can’t do it alone.
You'll need very large groups of people to begin to do anything to straighten this mess out. The teachers' union is very powerful. Many families have members who work for or in government schools. The children who are the captive audiences of the school employees five days a week are indoctrinated by those employees to support them and their large salaries.
from a commiserating neighbor.
Another episode of beggars at our door this evening. Two elementary girls asking me for money to guy outdoor play equipment and indoor play equipment for their Deer Run Elementary School in Dublin. I asked them why my taxes weren't sufficient to pay for their play things? (of course, once they've given most of it to the teachers they have to go begging for play equipment). They didn't know. I told them to go ask their teachers. I also told them my taxes were huge and they didn't need to ask me for more money. They left. I'm thinking an appropriate response would be to show up Monday morning at Deer Run Elementary with my list of things I need for my recreation. An Eliptical Machine, an in-ground swimming pool, a new bicycle, running shoes, and a refurbished kitchen. Doesn't that seem fair? I should be allowed to walk from room to room begging the teachers, principal, secretaries, counselors, and all the children for money to buy all those items that would make my life more pleasant and productive. My motto is "Life-long Learning" and my fellow citizens should assist me in my worthy efforts.
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