Posted By: Gary Baird
If anyone should be for the bond, it should be me.
- I have 2 children, both currently attending Okemos schools. They would both "benefit" from whatever is purchased with the bond.
- I bought a "fixer upper" home and didn't pay a lot it. My taxable basis is fairly low, I'm sure below average.
- I'm not rich, but I'm not hurting. The $100-$200/year it would cost me wouldn't impact my lifestyle one bit.
- Who could be against their property value (allegedly) going up?
- I have the rank of "geek" on the technology savvy scale. Surely if anyone could understand the "need" for technology in schools, it would be me.
- A family friend who works in the school district said she is likely to lose her job if the bond doesn't pass.
Yet, I oppose the bond. Here's why:
I try to vote on principle, not just on self interest. Just because I can afford it, doesn't mean everyone can. There are people with similar income levels who have a lot more of their net worth tied up in their personal home, or have purchased it recently and don't have the benefit of having their taxable value held down by Proposal A. Those people will feel the tax burden much more than I will. My vote goes out to them. Also, I don't subscribe to the "soak the rich" because they can afford it philosophy. Some homeowners in this school district already pay an exorbitant amount of money in property taxes, already way more than their fair share. Not to mention the state of Michigan's economy.... If there ever were a time for frivolous spending (and there's not), it wouldn't be now.
I think when government entities, school districts included, set about to spend public funds, they need to be DAMN careful that the money is spent wisely. The fact that this generally isn't the case should make every voter skeptical about tax increases such as the proposed bond. Just because the schools say they "need" something, doesn't mean they really do. It's like my 8th grader telling me he really "needs" an iPod video player. Sometimes it's hard for people to distinguish between "needs" and "wants". I spend my money carefully and I expect the school district to exercise at least the came caution. Only I have the right to waste MY money.
I don't believe my property value will be affected, whether or not the bond passes. Property values remain high because the Okemos School District has a good reputation, not because we spend a lot of money on technology, but because there is a history of high achievement. The school district can take some credit for this because they do set high standards, but most of the credit goes to the quality of families that live in the area, both those "for" and "against" the bond. As long as families value education, achievement will remain high, and property values will remain high, regardless of what happens with the technology bond. As a side note, you would think rising property values would be "bad" for the school district, pricing many young families out of the market.
Because I am a "geek", I understand what's being asked for, and I can read through the BS. The buzz words do not confuse me. I doubt the same can be said for the majority of pro-bond, well meaning, parents, who write their heart wrenching, talking point filled, letters to the editor, exhorting us all to vote for the bond "for our children's future"! I wonder how many of these people have ever even had a computer open to see what's inside, or know how it actually works. No it's not magic. Or those whose knowledge of what computers can do is limited to a few computer applications that run on Microsoft Windows? It seems these folks think learning to use a few software apps is the ticket to a high paying, high tech job. Well, my MOM can use those apps too! But I don't think she'll be putting in her application to Google any time soon! Sorry Mom, no offense :)
I'm sorry to the friend who may lose her job. This is not my desire. If the bond fails, the school board should take it as a REJECTION of the current trend of technology integration and should look at curtailing some of its grandiose plans. But they'll probably just push ahead and buy the toys, close pools, and lay off my friend. If you vote on principle, you cannot let that dissuade you from voting NO on this bond.
Now if you want to talk to me about passing a bond to bring back industrial arts in high school, I could support that. In the meantime I won't be holding my breath.