Posted By: John S. Brennan
I have written several letters to the editor at the LSJ regarding this and the prior millage. I have another one, which I hope will be published in a couple of days. Let me tell you where I am coming from:
I am an Okemos resident, in the Riverwood subdivision. I have three children, but I exercise my right not to educate them in public schools. My high schooler goes to Lansing Catholic, and my grade school children go to St. Martha. By the way, while we have technology at both places, your school board would be agahst at our "3rd world" technology. It would also be envious of our test results and the colleges our high school grads are getting into. It's NOT about technology. But try selling that to your teachers and school board.
My point is this: I believe in public education. I'm not one of those parochial school parents clamoring for vouchers. I gladly support appropriate funding for public schools. What I resent is the arrogant attitude that presumes that the pockets of taxpayers without school age children, or who exercise their rights to educate their children elsewhere are free for raiding for every "need" that gets dreamed up by administrators or faculty.
The board has a legal duty and an ethical obligation to consider that the bulk of funding comes from people and businesses that don't have children in the schools. The board also has the obligation to consider that it is competing for tax dollars: the township, the county and other tax-dependent entities have needs too. And all of them come to us to pony up.
I have raised the issue of our deplorable roads in this township. The treasurer for the pro-millage group doesn't see the connection. But if (or more probably WHEN) we are approached to increase local taxes so that we can drive on roads that won't destroy our vehicles, well, that money is going to come from the same source: US.
The so-called "needs" that drive this technology millage are ridiculous. Nine labs for the high school (with 30 computers each)? Ten wireless labs (10 computers each)? And why is the school installing both wired and wireless systems anyway? PA systems, sounds systems, new telephones, new security systems... it's staggering!!
I urge you folks who read this and other comments on this website to take a stand. I understand your concern about being anonymous, but I urge you to stand up and identify yourselves. Others who know you might be influenced in a positive way because of your good reputation and also decide to vote no. You have NOTHING to be embarrassed about. I would hope that those who are pushing for this millage wouldn't encourage their children to harrass your children (just as you are not encouraging yours to do the same).
In any event, I urge you to write the LSJ... please. Let them know how ludicrous this whole thing is. This Board and the administration are just about the most arrogant group I've ever encountered. SEND THEM THE MESSAGE.