Tax Debate Story

Tax debate hits Web Site By Marcia Sagendorph is an article in the News Sun Online. They interviewed me Tuesday night about what happened Friday afternoon on the District 46 Information Message Board. I have the transcript of what happened in this post.
I have to admit I was worried about how [...]

New Administration?

At the District 46 School Board meeting on March 21st, it was recommended that additional administration and staff be hired. This is for the Prarieview School. From what I have been reading is that this still needs to be approved as part of next year’s budget and that the recommendation was still applicable [...]

Actual Tax Numbers Here

I was able to get the actual calculations from the County Clerk today. They have been added to my tax calculator. I have to give credit as well to CRAFT. Their tax calculator has been the most accurate of them all. This includes the School Board, Yes For Our Kids and [...]

Teachers

Teachers have a tremendous effect on our childrens lives as they have had in yours and mine. I can remember the teachers who encouraged me and help me develop a love of learning. They are as follows:

Mrs. Chisholm – 3rd and 4th grades
Mrs. Pegram – Algebra and Trig
Mr. Joyner – Geometry
Dr. Burrell – [...]

Tax Calculator

I have received several complaints about other sites calculations not being accurate or how to calculate the approximate cost yourself easily. I created my own tax calculator for district 46 to help in this effort. This is intended to be an approximate amount and not intended to be 100% accurate. That is [...]

Election Interference

For anyone wanting to know a little more about election interfence in Lake and McHenry counties read this article over at Illinois Election Interference.

2 + 2 = 4?

This is a great presentation (as pdf) of how the proponents and opponents of school district tax referendums debate the issues. Thanks to CRAFT for the presentation. It’s very accurate from what I have experienced the last couple of days. Click on each image below for a large picture if you prefer.

Thanks

Thanks for all the support you have shown. I have several emails supporting my efforts and of stories of similar experiences. I appreciate the encouragement very much.

Endorsements

With everything that happened yesterday, I am going to make sure to obtain and report more information about what is happening in District 46. I am endorsing the following candidates for election to the School Board.

Kristen Coe Peek
Mark V. Hannan
Jill Rohrer
Karen Weinert

Please read their bios for more information on the quality of candidates [...]

Site Hacked

Sorry about the inconvenience. My site was hacked today. I am sure they will try again. Today, someone, was able to figure out who I was and placed personal information including my location, how many kids I had, how much my house is assessed at and told us to find a realtor [...]

Tax Cap Explained

The tax cap is not a reduction in revenue for school districts as they claim. It is simple a cap on how much they can raise taxes without a referendum. There is a great explanation of this over at the CRAFT website.

Sample Ballot

To see the actual wording of the referendum go here. This is on the Lake County Clerk’s Office website.

Appropriate Editorial Cartoon

This image is very appropriate. This was in the Indianapolis Star and was supplied by the artist Gary Varvel. More money will not educate our children better. The school system needs to be reformed. Below is a chart on what this referendum will cost you if it passes. These are [...]

Real Estate Property Value

Yes for Our Kids last mailer had data from the Chicago Tribune dated Oct. 3, 2004. In it showed the length of time houses stay onj the market in district 46. Their inference is that this is due to the programs the district cut after the referendum failed last spring. They are [...]

Another Funding Chart

Here is another chart via Extreme Wisdom that shows school funding increasing 157% since 1987 while student population increased 13%. It also shows funding increased almost 3 times faster than inflation over this period. I think most of us could get by if our salaries kept up with inflation, much less 3 times [...]

Some Basic Stats

This chart is from Extreme Wisdom. It shows that overall school finding has increased approximately 70% in the last 8 years while the student population has increased only 5%. As you can also see as part of this chart, the local funding has increased from just over $6 billion to around $10 billion [...]

My Education Background

Let me give you some of my background. My parents were always involved in my school and in the studies of my siblings and myself. They pushed us to learn so that we would have a better life. Neither of my parents had ever finished high school. My father farmed and [...]

Request for Stats

If anyone has a good location for statistics and/or data about your school district please put the information in the comments or email them to me.

Stop The Blackmail

I am tired of school districts continually asking for money. Everytime there is an election or primary, they are asking for a tax increase. When they don’t get it, they bring it back the next time. They have now resorted to cutting programs because we vote no. I live in CCSD [...]