Letter to the Editor: Tired of School District Spin

When I heard that the Manatee County School Board was proposing to raise my taxes I decided it was time to experience my first school board meeting. I attended the August 1st meeting. I’ll be honest. I left feeling frustrated from all the ”spin.“ I felt like I had just gotten off a merry-go-round. The proposed budget presentation was full of facts, but the only one that I wanted to hear about was the tax increaseÉhow much?

In 2010 42% of our property taxes went to the county while 50% went to the Manatee County School BoardÉand now they want more! The spin continuesÉthe superintendent wants to impose two taxes: the first for capital funding. We don’t need to build. We have over 7,000 empty desk stations in Manatee County schools.

A school system should provide the best education for students and create responsible citizens who will in turn add to our economy. Who touches those students more than our teachers? Yet their salaries have been cut. Please consider cutting the operational portion drastically and leaving the teacher’s salaries alone!

Remember the Little House books about Laura Ingalls Wilder?  It is amazing to read what students had to memorize to complete their schooling. I wonder what the school budget was then.  Hmmm, how much does it cost for a slate, chalk and a few desks, teacher’s salary, you get my point.  America is tightening its belt and every family is making sacrifices.  Manatee County School Board, it is time to do the same.

Heather Goldin
Manatee County