Heavy Hitters!

Jerry · by **Jerry** on Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:11 am

About $230 million would be available for students, teachers and school staff in Kanawha County under the school system's proposed budget for next year.

This year's budget is $217 million.

The new budget includes an increase of $97,890 for the Kanawha County Public Library. Reustle said $2.6 million would be the library's share of the budget.

The increase in regular levy dollars for the library is tied to the stronger revenues generated by new and existing property.

Superintendent Ron Duerring praised the board for having been fiscally responsible while they doled out money to improve buildings, school curriculum and teacher training.

Board member Pete Thaw disagreed. He said the board squandered millions on the TeachFirst training program and for an employee incentive plan that gives pay boosts for strong attendance. He noted that next year's budget is several million more than this year's.

"There's only one way to stop the beast from growing, and that's stop feeding it," he said.

Jerry · by **Jerry** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:33 pm

How much did you pay in land taxes this year? The Kanawha County school system takes 70% of all land taxes paid in Kanawha County. All other county agencies operate on the remaining 30%.

Don’t you think $190,000,000.00 is enough money to support one county school system? That is 190 million dollars to spend in Kanawha County alone. However, since the cap on the excess levy has been removed, they will be awarded 230 million for the 08-09 fiscal year if we vote yes on the excess levy.

Last year, 07-08, they spent 217 million dollars. Historically there is evidence they request more each and every year. They are never satisfied.

I have a budget. When that budget is exhausted, I have to stop spending. My employer doesn't supply me with all I want. The school board and the teachers work for you and me. We must stop giving them all they want. It is solely the responsibility of the voters to make it stop.

If the excess levy doesn’t pass this year, they will still get 190 million.

Our taxes will continue to increase each year as long as Kanawha County has free reign into our bank accounts via our tax tickets. They need money? It will be supplied to them by absconding 70% of the taxes paid by land owners. (I use the word absconding because many landowners don't have a clue what is going on.) Every year they want more money therefore, our taxes will increase.

We must say no to our taxes continuing to increase. I, among many others, can’t afford for them to take away more of my money.

I support Pete Thaw’s diligent efforts to stop the board from taking more and more money from the public. However, he can’t do it alone. He needs help.

I’m asking all who receive this email to help spread it to everyone in Kanawha County who doesn’t enjoy giving large sums of money with no substantial returns.

PLEASE VOTE FOR

BILL FERRELL AND

ROBIN RECTOR

TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.
*********

Thank you one and all,

Diana M. Brown

Heavy Hitters!

HAS YOUR PROPERTY BEEN REAPPRAISED YET?