Yes, I Can Legally Take Your Money
- on 04.19.06
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Why are so many school districts so arrogant they don’t listen to the taxpayers anymore? They believe they are entitled to taxpayer money and they show this each and every time they take more than the voters approve. This is currently happening here in Grayslake at both the elementary and high school districts. Links are below for these examples.
The letter below is a Letter to the Editor at the Daily Herald today. It is from Glen Ellyn District 41 Superintendent explaining why their overtaxation is perfectly legal and the taxpayer just needs to get over it. After all, it’s for the kids, right?
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Tax hike justifiable and vital to students Recently, a citizens’ group challenged the propriety of District 41’s 2001 referendum implementation, and asked the district to reduce its tax levy. Such a reduction in funding would have an immediate and negative impact on what we are able to do for kids. District 41 has reviewed the matter with financial and legal counsel, and confirmed that the referendum was conducted properly, in compliance with all aspects of the tax law, although it seems in hindsight that the district could have done a more thorough job reporting to the community over the course of the implementation. The increase was a rate increase, not a dollar increase, and the district has never exceeded the legal rate. The referendum has done what it was meant to do: allow us to maintain and improve programs for children. We hired staff to reduce class sizes and added or expanded those programs needed to keep pace with evolving student needs. These programs include remedial services, music, art, foreign language, English Language Learning (ELL) services, special education and social services. We brought formerly out-sourced positions in-house, and restructured central administration at no increase in cost. We installed 26 portable classrooms and kept up with maintenance and required safety projects at all our buildings. We have also been able to maintain adequate cash balances, although at a lower level than the state recommends. We have done all this while keeping our spending in line with that of similar districts and outperforming most of them academically. We depend on property taxes not out of choice, but because, being an affluent district, we get little government funding and have few other sources of revenue. District 41 receives 87.2 percent of its revenues from local property taxes; of similar districts; only Hinsdale is more dependent on property taxes than we are. We have many pressing issues before us — our schools are crowded and programming needs continue to rise. It is my hope that we can focus on the future together so that we continue to provide the quality of education our students and community deserve. Jack Barshinger |
The excuse about not informing the public is just lame. They know how the tax cap works and how the phase in works. They knew exactly what they were doing and that is why they mislead the public. If they told them the truth, the public would not have passed the referendum.
Unfortunately for the taxpayer, he is correct about what they are doing is legal. However, that still does not make it right. This is just legal theft. If you want to know more about how any taxing authorities can legally overtax, read the article here.
Grayslake Elementary District 46 Links
- D46 Bond Flyer
- William Blair Bond Presentation
- D46 Bond Summary
- Grayslake Taxpayers, Do You Want a Tax Break
- CCSD #46 BOE Meeting Notes 3/20/2006
Grayslake High School District 127 Links
- Grayslake 46 and 127 Over Debt Limit
- D127 Approves Levy
- Back to the Green Line Update
- D127 Levy Correction
- D127 Tax Increases Exceed Stated Amount
It has been said time and time again…
“The increase was a rate increase, not a dollar increase, and the district has never exceeded the legal rate.”
Some of the public just can’t seem to understand this very simple concept. They push and push for a “real-life example”. When they get one, they stick to it like glue.
Yes, it’s legal. And yes, it’s exactly what the voters asked for; nothing more, nothing less. No one is decieved or mislead; they only choose to cry foul because it suits them. That is, 90% of them. 10% just can’t figure it out.
Obviously there are many supporters of BIg Ed that spout this same nonsense that district never overtax. That position defies logic. You should read the detailed analysis on how districts overtax again.
Yes, this is complicated. It is complicated on purpose to provide taxing authorities the cover of legality.
I think it’s just simple… when you vote for a referendum… unless it says it in the ballot question… you are always opening up yourself to voting for more than what the tax increase says it will be. Not to mention the raise the districts gets every year. If you ask directly, you may get an answer from the district, but no one from the districts are advertising that information. Why? Because if the people were made aware of that information… they may not vote for it.
I guess we’ll all find out in district 46 & 127 how much more those “legal levy’s” cost. I bet it’s not the amount that you voted for on the referendums!
[...] This is exactly why there is an effort to change the language in the law. It is very deceptive and allow the districts to say one thing while legally do another. Here’s a link to the latest information on Glen Ellyn District 41. Here is an article I wrote about How Districts Overtax Their Residents. Of course, all of this information is exactly what districts define as false claims when clearly the ballot question is a problem not those opposing a tax increase. [...]
[...] How ironic is the timing of this? Glen Ellyn District 41 has just hired a new Superintendent. The new Superintendent will be making 54% more than the outgoing Superintendent who made this statement a few days ago about why it’s legal to overtax the district taxpayers. The following quote is from the Daily Herald Opinion Section on this hiring. [...]