Passions run high on both sides of Dayton ISD's $87M bond initiative.
While there is no doubt Dayton does need
some school improvements, there are many questions people in the community
should ask themselves before committing themselves and children into debt.
Some facts of discomfort are:
The current combined debt of the district is $17M, adding
and additional $87M will bring that total to over $100M in debt.
Here is a breakdown:
Dayton ISD population at 28,170.
That is $3,088.40 per person in new debt.
That is $12,353.60 of new debt per a family of four.
Total Proposition Amount ($): $87,820,000
Individual Proposition Number: 1
Individual Proposition Amount ($): $87,820,000
City: Dayton
County: Harris/Liberty
Local Election: TBD
State House Districts: 18
State Senate Districts: 3, 4
Number of Schools: 9
Population in ISD: 28,170
ISD Enrollment: 5,067
ISD Growth Rate 2003 to 2013: -1.27%
Current I&S: 0.168
Current M&O: 1.04
Total Tax Rate: 1.208
% of Debt Service: 7.43%
Proposed I&S: TBD
Proposed Total Tax Rate: TBD
Last Bond Election: September 21, 2002
Last Total Proposition Amount ($): $15,400,000
Carried/Defeated: Carried
Despite pro-bond objections, the district has not grown. From 2003-2013 growth is -1.27. There is no massive growth to be seen, in fact. However,
the pro-bond group assures us that in the next five years the population will
explode. This has not been bared to reality yet and this is nothing more than a
guess. What if in five years we still have a - growth pattern? Keep this in
mind as well: school bonds are products that are marketed and sold for profit.
They are often based on maximum local economic projections rather than actual
educational needs.
Also, one must ask: If some of this bond is for upgrades and
renovations, what has been going on with the ISD's Maintenance and Operations
budget? They have a Maintenance and
Operations budget. Maintenance is just that, to pay for maintaining, updating
of schools. ..you already pay taxes for that. Don't let them fool you and
double dip and tell you it's for the kids. If they are paying for maintenance
with this bond they are not only double dipping tax payers...they are also
financing it.
A selling point to seniors is that they can be exempt from
the rise of taxes. While there is some truth to this, That would ONLY apply on
a homestead; many senior citizens own rental properties as part of their
retirement plans. The following types of properties are examples of over-65
owned properties that are NOT exempt from the increase: Farm/ag, rental homes,
commercial buildings, business inventory/equipment/fixtures, oil/gas
production, etc....many, many of these things are owned by folks over 65 and
will impact them even more because there are zero exemptions to offset the
increase. When property taxes increase, businesses & landlords
will pass that cost on to customers & tenants....those over 65 will pay
increased prices just like everyone else.
Another great line:"This bond will only raise taxes by
$20.00 for every $100,000.00 in property in the district." Yes. And doesn't that sales line sound great? Ask yourself
why the district doesn't just ask you to vote on a $20.00 tax per property?
This is a perfect example of how bonds twist thinking into forgetting the $87M
in debt its truly creating. If they were to ask via taxation for these
funds...do the math..it would be an unfeasible rise in taxes, WAY higher than
$20.00 per $100K. What they will continue you to do is push this line of only
costing you $20.00. What you must remember is this district is shouldering this
community with $87 Million dollars in debt, and that is the bottom line, no
matter how you twist numbers.
This bond as written contains Six new tennis courts, covering
the rodeo arena, new showers and locker rooms for athletes, a new practice gym
and a new UIL Auditorium. As much as soccer mom's dislike it, public funds
shouldn't be used to support athletics. If a tennis team of 12 people desire 6
new courts is that a tax payer liability? That is a rather small percent of the
community as a hole asking for a large sum. And, yes, it is even a small percentage
of students. A school being built should of course come with the basics, but
after that, let those who have a vested interest support improvements. Where
are the booster clubs? Why is it if the very small number involved in these
activities won't raise money for their wants the entire community must burden
it?
On a personal note, I find it laughable how easily even
conservatives fall for 'It's for the children' when assuming massive amounts of
debt. I find it more so funny that I am a child hater who obviously don't or
didn't have children in public school. Why is it wrong to question debt? Why is
it wrong to review details that once added to existing debt will be in excess of
100 million dollars? I have not gone to
one single bond supporter and said they had to vote no. If you feel this
massive amount of debt is acceptable, fine. I don't. You guys do realize we
live in a rural community right? This is not a metropolitan area. Anyone who
votes for this bond does not however have a right to complain once more about
national debt or state debt, because it always starts with ' we must have this,
damn the cost' at every level.
As to the morality of placing this amount of debt on
children:
Despite what modern governments and educators teach our children,
massive debt is WRONG. In addition, laying that debt on your children and
asking/forcing your neighbors to be complicit in it is IMMORAL.
Very little is said nowadays about the Biblical teaching on
property and taxation, and with reason: we are so far from the Biblical way of
life. There was no property tax in the Bible. Civil government of the state
could not tax the land, because the land is not the property of the state but
of God, and no state has a right to levy taxes against God’s possessions. The
support of civil government was through an increase tax, that is, a production
tax.
Today, the Lordship of the triune God is being denied; the
tithe is neglected; the power of statism is increasing, and taxation is
compelling men to pay a rent for their property. Property was ordained by God
to establish men in liberty; it is now being taken from man, and liberty is
waning.
If men could acknowledge the sovereignty of God, render to
truly Christian causes God’s tithe, and then work to free the land from the
tyranny of taxation, a great rebirth of liberty would be forthcoming. This is a
cause to work for. ~ R.J. Rushdoony
In closing, massive debt through force of taxation is wrong.
One may say, "Haven't you gone into debt for a valid reason? A house? A
car?" To this always remember, you or I made that choice to willingly and
voluntarily enter into debt, and we didn't ask our neighbors to pay for it as
well.
Bottom line, the Dayton ISD should re-evaluate the needs of
the district, not the wants. Then re-present this bond for a MUCH lower price
tag based only on needs next cycle. Can you or I afford this? More importantly,
can your children?
VOTE NO!
