How many of you here have ever voted down your local school budget

[mdmc]

I have not yet voted today, but I really can't afford a tax increase.:shrug:
In NYS, the teachers unions have taken out nice ad requesting that voters take out their frustration on elected officials in the fall election. It is not fair to take it out on the kids.

[phylny]

1. I live not far from you, and our taxes are staggering. I mean, very high.

However, I am voting yes for our school budget. Our kids had austerity two years ago, and it stunk.

[lindisfarne]

2. CAN YOU NOT AFFORD A TAX INCREASE FOR THE SCHOOLS?

Look at where your money goes: there are very few people (in my experience) who cannot easily cut out $200 annually of elective spending which is far less important than supporting the schools.

For example, shop at thrift stores, rather than buying new. Buy food in bulk. Cut out cable. Ride a bike to work one day a week (the gas you save will add up). Skip going to movies (at $10/person, it adds up quickly, and that's if you're not buying food as well).

[hobbit709]

13. I already shop

at thrift stores, buy food in bulk when I can. Can't ride bike for 2 reasons-20 mile round trip in 100° heat and physical disability. Haven't been to a theater in about 3 years. When we bought our house taxes were $400/yr, now it's $2400. My income certainly hasn't sextupled, in fact our household income decreased about 40% from 5 years ago. Ain't giving up my satellite or my DSL-it's the only entertainment I got left. Gave up sex, drugs and rock and roll-couldn't afford them anymore.

[lindisfarne]

18. Well, you might have pared your budget (but satellite and DSL are

hardly necessities) and might be "one of the few" who doesn't have much to cut out. If your taxes increase, though, you'll have to cut something out. As the federal government cuts what the states get, and the states cut what municipalities get, municipalities have been forced to (try to) raise taxes; I'll bet the value of your house increased quite a bit, though (which would explain a good portion of the increase in taxes - too bad your state doesn't refund part of property taxes based on income (MN does this)).

[phylny]

21. Please don't yell. I voted yes.

Having said that, my combined property and school taxes are $18,000/year.

[mdmc]

4. I would vote eye in Goshen, but Newburgh is rather messed up

I was thinking of not even voting today.

Hey, have you decided on John Hall for congress?

[phylny]

22. I like what I've read about John Hall. To be fair, I'd vote for my

dog over Sue Kelly, so I may not be that discriminating ;)

[mdmc]

23. I'll be carrying petitions this year

I hope to carry for Hall.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

3. I did in GA

I usually vote in most elections & they stuck an increase on a primary ballot - hoping no one would noticed & it got defeated by just a few votes. The school board then had to add it to the main election even though the rules specified that the time had expired to put anything on that ballot. They ended up spending thousands of $$.

[Warpy]

5. I've consistently voted FOR school tax increases

even when I was living on next to nothing.

Ignorance costs more than an extra $50 on my tax bill did.

[MissB]

12. Yep.

I want the young-uns to be well educated, as they will be taking care of my aging ass someday.

[AnneD]

15. I second that...

the dividend may not come to me directly. I think that years ago, when I was young-someone that was my age (now) paid school taxes because they knew how important an education would be to me. I pay now because someone paid then. Even if I have to scrimp-I know this is too important.

[Midlodemocrat]

19. Well said and I totally agree with you.

We can't afford NOT to have our children educated.

[Catbird]

6. Once

The local school board asked for millions to support school construction and renovation. However, they didn't think it necessary to tell us what schools and what areas would get the money. Trust us. Vote for the bond issue. Then we'll tell you what we're going to do with it. I didn't trust them, so I voted against it.

[Crowdance]

7. The Arts are the second thing to go in austerity budget (after buses)

Think about an entire generation of people, those who you will rely on to support you in your old age, maturing without the knowledge of the arts. They'll be mere, unthinking robots, trained to be cogs in the corporate wheel. The arts nurture the true human mind, which in turn grows compassion, wisdom and vision.

Few of us can afford to pay more, but to inculcate true values into the children who will form my future society, I'll figure a way (like switching to VOIP at less than 1/2 of Verison's rate.....)

Please think about what it is you REALLY can't afford.

[AndyA]

8. I have voted no for schools before, it depends on what they're asking for.

If it is for teacher pay, books, or anything that will directly benefit the academic environment, I vote yes. I think we must have the very best for our future generation.

If it's for a new stadium for the football team, new uniforms, etc., I vote no every time. I think schools and universities place too much emphasis on sports, and allow the academics to suffer. I don't want great football players, I want smart people who will be able to deal effectively with the problems in the world, and know not to repeat the mistakes of past generations.

[Kber]

9. My sister's HS got their budget voted down her junior year.

They cut, among other things, sports, Shakespeare, advanced physics and music programs.

And her HS fell from the top 20 in the state to not even making the top 200.

And the number of kids getting into Ivy League and similar schools plummeted as a result.

As did property values.

They restored the funding two years later and, three years after that, were back in the top 20.

Property values have increased to their former levels and then some and the top students are getting into top schools again.

You probably won't see a property value decrease in NYC, and if you are renting, you may not care anyway. However, my point is that well funded and run schools are good for the community at large, even if you don't have kids in the schools or pay property taxes. If you can afford it at all, I suggest voting yes, and then follow the teacher's union suggestion and hold your elected (on non-elected) school officials feet to the fire to spend the money effectively. That includes the teachers and union officials, btw.

[hobbit709]

10. I voted NO the year

they built a $20 mill state of the art football stadium and gave big raises to the administrators but claimed they didn't have enough money for teacher raises.

[TheFarseer]

20. then they wonder why we are falling behind

football and sports as an important part of the highschool experience, but let's not forget why the school is there in the first place. And administrators making that much money makes me very unhappy. I never could figure out what the hell they did anyway!

[AngryAmish]

11. They wanted to put in a pool

I said no f'n way. It passed anyway.

[ellenfl]

14. i have no children but i have always voted in favor of

school funding. i am more than happy to support our public schools. they gave me a good education.

ellen fl

[lindisfarne]

16. I agree. And I have no problem with the schools putting in "extra"

things like pools, sports fields. Having sports programs keeps the kids out of trouble after school, and physical health is important.

[TheFarseer]

17. I'll always vote for school bonds if it's for education

if it's for sports, they can take a hike. The old gym is just fine. If they really want it, you know they will find a way.