From: Cary Hutchins
Columbus
If you look at the Bartholomew County School System budgets for the past 10 years, it is apparent that there is plenty of money for sports, bands, a plethora of assistant superintendents with their support staffs, and even early retirement incentives for highly-paid, experienced teachers. Nowhere is there much money for teacher raises. The priorities of the school administration and school board are obvious.
Now we are asked to support a referendum that will raise school taxes. The administration and school board say they will use this money for teacher salaries. Why should they be believed? Past history tells us differently.
After several losing referendums, Indiana’s education establishment recently conspired with the legislature and passed a law whereby all school referendums had to be on primary election ballots. Since very few people vote in primary elections, the large number of school employees who are highly motivated to vote will overwhelm the regular primary voters. All school referendums will pass. This is taxation without representation.
