I was slightly misquoted in Mr. Slone's article May 22. I did not say renovations were not good. What I did say was that I didn't know whether renovations or rebuilding was the answer to the current overcrowding, but I was concerned about the tax increase. In one of your recent articles, it stated that the current bond was going to be refinanced and it is a "safe bet" that it will save $2.7 million. I had to wonder if it would save that much, just how much do "we" owe?
Well, let me tell you! "We" are currently paying $3.5 million per year, and this is to be paid through 2023, which according to my calculations adds up to $59.5 million! I was concerned about adding another $65 million to it, and this is just the first phase! According to your May 21 article, our schools are already getting 54 percent of every tax dollar we pay. At the meeting it was stated that when this new renovation/rebuilding goes through, it will raise our taxes another 16-24 percent, depending on where you live, with city dwellers being taxed at the highest rate. If we are still paying on the current loan until 2023, where will this new loan put us?
Mr. Vanator, I hate to say it, but your friends who wouldn't attend the meeting were right, it was all cut-and-dried beforehand. This meeting was just a formality. Had they listened to the people before and not closed the Claypool school, it wouldn't be costing $10 million to reopen and renovate it now.
One woman, who had small children in grade school, said "We need to give our children the best education we can." Lady, I hope your children are prepared to pay for it because if they grow up and buy property in this area, they will still be paying for it long after the rest of us are dead and gone.
