Ah yes, here we go again. The District 12 money grubbing hand is ready to reach out and touch area voters again this November and ask for more money. The district has made no secret of its “need” for an influx of funds and in two weeks, the Board of Education will decide whether or not to ask voters to again give it more money. I am sure the decision is a foregone conclusion and we will have to vote whether or not to throw more money at the district.

In a July 29th email sent to district employees, District Superintendent Mike Paskewicz started laying the groundwork for the measures (click here to read it). He outlines a proposed $80 million bond and a $9.9 million mill levy override. In the case of the bond issue, he points out that it is not a tax increase – of course leaving out the fact that it is debt that the school district takes on and does have to repay. Guess who pays for that? You and I! The mill leavy of course would cost the average taxpayer only $2 per week. This is naturally on top of the many other mill levies and tax increases voters have granted the district in the last eight years.

A lot more will be said about this topic in the coming months leading up to the election. I urge all voters to give this some serious thought and consideration. Do not just continue to write checks to the district on the basis that it is “for the kids.” The district has shown they have a problem properly using funds and that should be addressed. The purchase of an unneeded administration building, an overstaffed administration, poor use of taxpayer funds (fireplaces in elementary schools!), the paying of “consultants” for superfluous purposes are just some of the examples. Give it some thought, folks!

Studies show that more money is not the answer for better schools – better management however could go a long way.