Todd33 - I think that with a little research you will find my logic to not only be accurate but supported by a number of studies. Homes in better school districts are in greater demand and sell for higher prices than the equivalent home in an underperforming district. I respect the vote of the community, I do not throw out comments about it being sad or shameful, I simply find it to be a short sighted view that has the potential to not only lower home values but also draw less new families to our community.
I understand that people are tired of everybodies hand in their pocket, so am I, but they should not confuse poorly used federal and state tax dollars with those that have a direct effect on our community.Apr 7, 2012
I respect the democratic process, and everyones right to choose how they vote, those that apposed the tax increase won the day, and they certainly had good reasons that they believed in. I would point out that property values are directly tied to the performance and reputation of the school district. I can personally say that when my family relocated to Washington from the Ballwin area, we chose our home because it was in the Washington School district and not one of the surrounding school districts.
The people of the state of Missouri, and many other places, have chosen to fund public schools with real estate taxes, this is a choice our communities made many years ago, and if anyone does not agree with this then they have every right to work towards legislation that will change that, until it is changed it is rude and pointless to make comments about paying for other people to raise their children. I pay taxes that also support the ambulance and police districts, and it would be just as foolish for me to say, "why should I pay for your safety?"
I understand people not supporting a tax increase in the current economic times, and I can respect that. I would point out that is was a relatively modest increase that has a direct effect on our community versus federal tax increases that we have no real say in either the amounts or how they are spent. It is unfortunate that abuse by politicians, from both parties, has left people so bitter towards taxes that they cannot see when they are truly for the greater good, or just another hand in our pockets.
I personally supported the tax increase, I educated myself on the issues, and found it to be a good investment in the community. To those who say we already have extremely high tax rates, I would encourage you to look at the tax rates in St. Louis County, and the budgets of the school districts there, I think you will see that we have very modest tax rates, and a school district that manages its funds very well.
A closing point would be that the hostility by several of the posters, on both sides, is neither helpful or effective in discussing our community and the choices it makes, it only breeds separation and poor decisions.Apr 5, 2012
