LTE: District 46 made the right call on taxes
- on 02.06.07
- CCSD #46
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The following Letter to the Editor was published in Fridays Daily Herald. I thought I would point out some of the inaccuracies in this letter.
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District 46 made the right call on taxes As a District 46 parent and taxpayer, I express my thanks and support for our board’s decision to reject the proposed tax abatement. Certain elements in our district used tactics including automated dialers to try and generate pressure on our board to refund millions while we have yet to restore many basic educational programs. |
All required subjects are taught. Reading, writing and arithmetic were never cut. These are the basics.
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District 46 spends $3,600 per student on instruction (the state average is $5,216). We would have to increase spending by 45 percent to simply meet the state average! |
According to the data on the ISBE Report Card (2003-2004) over $21 million dollars went into the education fund. Dividing that by the number of students (3981) you end up with $5275 per student. Since the education fund is supposed to be used for educating the children, where was the additional $1675 per student spent if it wasn’t on the childrens’ education? The amount of money from the education fund that did not go to educate the children was $6,668,175. Why was nearly one-third of the education fund money not spent on the instruction of the children?
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Remember that when approving a referendum; voters approve a rate increase and not an aggregate dollar amount. Our district then used premium bonds as a legal tool to raise the maximum amount of money allowed based on the voter-approved rate increases. |
Now Mr. Hill wants to confuse everyone. In 1999, voters did not approve a rate increase, they approved a set dollar amount for bonds to build Frederick and Prairieview or buy new land. See the question from the Lake County Clerk’s website:
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Grayslake Community Consolidated School District Number 46 Shall the Board of Education of Grayslake Community Consolidated School District Number 46, Lake County, Illinois, acquire land for school purposes, build and equip two school buildings, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $23,195,000 for said purposes? |
As you can see, Mr. Hill’s argument above about the tax rate is factually untrue.
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The Daily Herald reports this legal practice was very common, as 66 area school districts utilized the very same practice. |
Mr. Hill failed to mention that when the Daily Herald pointed this out as common practice, they were pointing out the fact that this practice costs the taxpayers much more than they anticipated and allowed district to exceed their debt limit. The Daily Herald also pointed out this practice has been restricted or banned in several other states. In the most recent article, the Daily Herald said the money should have been given back to the taxpayers.
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This is similar to people using “loopholes†to reduce the income tax they pay, such as deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, and dependents. Some people claim that these loopholes are “immoral†since not everyone has a mortgage or children, but what would you think of your tax accountant if he did not use all legal means to give you the lowest tax bill possible? The use of premium bonds follows the same principle: it was both legal and common. You would expect your accountant to do his best, and we should expect our school districts to do the same. |
Mr. Hill is trying to set up a straw man argument here. The comparison he gives is meaningless. The school district exceeded its debt limit through the use of premium bonds. They costs the taxpayers much more than a normal loan. This practice of premium bonds is not about saving money as in Mr. Hills argument, but the taking of money from the taxpayer. This practice is legal, yes, but it should be banned. It is unethical.
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We all need to stop seeking scandal and the worst in people. Our district is opening a new K-8 building this fall, and district finances will get even tighter. Program cuts have already restricted educational opportunities for our children. At $3,600 per student, they are some of the poorest in the state, and they deserve better from their community. Thomas L. Hill, Jr. |
Mr. Hill seems to want to blame others for finding out about the unethical practice of this bond issuance. If so, then he should blame the Daily Herald. After all, they broke the story about this onerous practice allowed in our State and practiced in our district.
It also appears Mr. Hill believes the taxpayers do not have a right to speak out against this practice. Myself and others will continue to speak out if our school district uses unethical practices to take money we never willingly approved.
Mr. Hill, your focus should be on holding the district accountable for making sure that your child and every other child in this district receives a great education while not ripping off the taxpayer. How about starting by making sure the Math and Language curricula are scientifically proven to work. Follow this link for an excellent video on what is wrong with Everyday Math. You can find more information here on both everyday math and whole language.
