McDonald levy is vital

McDonald levy is vital

EDITOR:

The recent news of the unfortunate financial situation in the McDonald Local School District has the rumor mill running on high. We all need to be aware of what is truthful, factual and what is at stake,

The truth is, the 4.9 mill emergency operating levy, which generates $260,000 per year for five years, was scheduled to be on the November ballot long before the news of our financial unraveling broke. It was discussed in June. The passing of this levy is necessary for the day to day operation of our schools. It is not for a sports complex. It is for textbooks and technology, so that our students can have an education equivalent to their peers in other school districts. It is for running a school efficiently and properly. It is for field trips so that our students can enrich the classroom learning experience. Our school system has always been one full of pride and confidence. Ours was a school to be praised and looked up to by other districts. People were knocking down the doors to be put on the waiting list for Open Enrollment. If the Levy does not pass, the future of our school system is in jeopardy. Shouldn’t our students have what they need in order to achieve the best education that they can?

The facts are that our schools were operating on a budget that was designed for 1988. Can you run your household or business in 2009 for the same that you did in 1988? Costs have continued to rise, yet our district was operating on the same funds as previously collected. Yes, this will be a financial cost to taxpayers, but if there are no schools, or students at the schools, the community will not thrive. The property values will decrease, and the vicious cycle beings.

Most importantly, keep in mind that our children, teachers, and staff had no hand in creating this financial mess. However, it is now ours to clean up. Do not make us suffer for the mistakes of others.

Support our children. Support your own investment in your property values. Think about it, the success of the schools greatly affects the future of our community. In the long run we all have much to gain by passing this levy, yet we have much more to lose by failing it.

STACI CONLEY

McDonald

X The writer is chairperson of the McDonald Local Schools Levy Committee