Billions on line in Washington school elections

watatoe said on February 9, 2010 at 9:39 AM

To Tanya......everytime a levy passes and more money is given to the school system, it has not changed the quality of education. We're constantly told that things will get better (i.e. test scores) but then it doesn't happen. After a few decades of hearing this, I think it can easily be said....."More money does NOT equal Better education!" Most of that money gets poured into administration (and most of those administrators make MORE than a teacher) and new construction and upkeep. So the system needs to reorganize itself.....how about starting with the money actually getting to the classrooms first and then trickle down from there? And on a side note......I've been unemployed for over a year (13.9% unemployment here in Vancouver, WA) and am barely hanging on to my home. Any more taxes and I'll become a statistic number for people who have lost their homes. If I can make do with less, they most surely can. Government needs to suck it up like the rest of us!

ronulus said on February 8, 2010 at 4:40 PM

Property taxes, sales taxes and tolls are the most regressive taxes. It is time to reduce or eliminate all of them and impose a state income tax instead. It is unjust and immoral that someone on a fixed income struggles to keep a home yet pays the same property tax as someone making a million a year in a similarly assessed home. It is also ridiculous that a family with one child pays the same taxes to support education as a family with eight children. The combined tax rates for 95% of Washingtonians could be reduced if those at the top were paying their share.

tanya1969 said on February 8, 2010 at 3:54 PM

Do you have any idea how much our schools depend on levy funding? You say "do more with less"-- our schools are already doing that, and a judge recently ruled that the State is not living up to its obligation to fund education. It is parents like you who say "Do more" and then have a complete fit when school sports or transportation get cut. Our schools do not have money for texbooks, paper, etc. Do some research and you will see that our state has some of the highest class sizes in the entire country, and we also spend less per student then most other states. Our kids need these levy funds! Vote YES!!

kss123 said on February 8, 2010 at 3:21 PM

First off, STOP letting people who do not own their home vote on property tax issues.

rustydog said on February 8, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Seems like parents just can't spend enough tax money on their children. Stop this blank check and just tell us how much does it take to educate a child in each grade. Then establish a basic cost that is only adusted by the number of children. People keep finding new ways to spend tax money and then go politically balistic trying to get everyone to cough up more money. It's insane.

__m96__ said on February 8, 2010 at 12:04 PM

Just like the rest of us "your going to have to do more with less".Good luck!!!