Tomorrow is election day. This caucus continues to ask the citizens in the Dayton ISD to vote no on the Dayton ISD bond. Throughout this process we have learned much. Hopefully, we have educated some as well. Citizens must begin to once again stand up and make their voices heard. It isn’t easy in a small town to speak out against bad financial decisions. People worry over the thoughts of their neighbors and many other issues. This is only but a small part of the problem with our modern political process. Educators can be intimidating, as can saying “no” to anything that is supposedly “for the children.”
First and foremost, this caucus believes that the American public school system is severely broken. We firmly believe, as stated in our principles, that the Department of Education should be abolished. Along with that, our very own state continues to teach our children nothing more than how to take tests in modern day Texas. We make these statements not because we dislike education, but because we dislike poor quality education. While this very bond issue could be spun as a local community taking control of their school system, that isn’t entirely correct. Bonds have become big business in Texas. It has become an issue so large that our state comptroller has warned that ISD spending has far surpassed any growth. Large banks and bond salesmen feed on our concern for our children all while making millions of dollars in profits on interest. Our taxpayers are over-burdened by this process since bonds are rarely ever based on needs, but on the maximum economic projects of what “could” be.
The questions here are very basic. Why is the rush for new schools so badly needed, due to over-crowding, when the ISD has the same number of enrolled students as it had back in 2003? Why is over-crowding still an issue considering Kimmie Brown was built in 2004? Did that not provide any relief? Why are tennis courts so important when the old courts were not repaired, but rather made into parking lots? If our schools are in such poor repair, where has the maintenance been spent? Why hasn’t the ISD asked for a tax increase if more money is needed? If we need two new schools, why is that not the only thing included in the bond? Why does PBK have such a vested interest here? The yes group made it clear that this should be a “Dayton only issue” and only people from here should have an opinion; all the while taking over 60% of their funding from a large corporation with a vested interest in a yes outcome.
Saying “no” does not mean one doesn’t support children. Saying “no” sends the message to the board that perhaps we should re-evaluate our needs. Let’s build and repair some, and then once the debt is paid down some, come back and re-visit what else may be needed. Over 48% of this bond repayment is going to be shouldered by businesses. The yes crowd is proud of this. Increasing taxation on business NEVER stems economic growth; that is a tired, old used up democrat party line. Democrat controlled cities around the country are now collapsing and filing bankruptcy because they can no longer repay the bills that are coming due as business flees.
Massive debt is wrong, and the average taxpayer knows this. It is why bonds are well funded by corporations to swing it to the yes side. It’s why we have the horrible tactic of rolling polls where the school gets an advantage through ‘special’ events, giving students extra credit for attending said events and allowing voting during this. This is a perfect example of how bonds are misused, statewide not just here. Most bonds are passed by a small majority of voters as most vote straight ticket and neglect the bottom of the ballot issues. In this instance, the ISD hold a powerful leverage with a built in voter base of educators and administrators who will vote solely for this issue. We do need some things. We need them so badly that we wring our hands and must do something, anything. So, out of desperation some say, “there is some waste here, but we HAVE to do something so vote yes.” NO, NO this is what the bankers and bond salesmen depend on. They will stuff un-needed items here and blackmail you emotionally playing on your fears of “ANYTHING; SOMETHING must be done.” You approve waste to gain some good. This is insanity. Restructure, represent in two years. Two years is not a lot to ask for a more fiscally responsible bond. These issues didn’t appear overnight, and the board didn’t address them for years….now they want you to vote for this because it has gotten sooo… bad. And in voting for needed items, they will force other items through.
Please, tomorrow, vote NO on the Dayton ISD bond. Do not cause our grandchildren and children not even born yet to become indebted for our wants of now. Let them make decisions on an as needed basis in their lifetime.
“I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared..
But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years.”-Jefferson
First and foremost, this caucus believes that the American public school system is severely broken. We firmly believe, as stated in our principles, that the Department of Education should be abolished. Along with that, our very own state continues to teach our children nothing more than how to take tests in modern day Texas. We make these statements not because we dislike education, but because we dislike poor quality education. While this very bond issue could be spun as a local community taking control of their school system, that isn’t entirely correct. Bonds have become big business in Texas. It has become an issue so large that our state comptroller has warned that ISD spending has far surpassed any growth. Large banks and bond salesmen feed on our concern for our children all while making millions of dollars in profits on interest. Our taxpayers are over-burdened by this process since bonds are rarely ever based on needs, but on the maximum economic projects of what “could” be.
The questions here are very basic. Why is the rush for new schools so badly needed, due to over-crowding, when the ISD has the same number of enrolled students as it had back in 2003? Why is over-crowding still an issue considering Kimmie Brown was built in 2004? Did that not provide any relief? Why are tennis courts so important when the old courts were not repaired, but rather made into parking lots? If our schools are in such poor repair, where has the maintenance been spent? Why hasn’t the ISD asked for a tax increase if more money is needed? If we need two new schools, why is that not the only thing included in the bond? Why does PBK have such a vested interest here? The yes group made it clear that this should be a “Dayton only issue” and only people from here should have an opinion; all the while taking over 60% of their funding from a large corporation with a vested interest in a yes outcome.
Saying “no” does not mean one doesn’t support children. Saying “no” sends the message to the board that perhaps we should re-evaluate our needs. Let’s build and repair some, and then once the debt is paid down some, come back and re-visit what else may be needed. Over 48% of this bond repayment is going to be shouldered by businesses. The yes crowd is proud of this. Increasing taxation on business NEVER stems economic growth; that is a tired, old used up democrat party line. Democrat controlled cities around the country are now collapsing and filing bankruptcy because they can no longer repay the bills that are coming due as business flees.
Massive debt is wrong, and the average taxpayer knows this. It is why bonds are well funded by corporations to swing it to the yes side. It’s why we have the horrible tactic of rolling polls where the school gets an advantage through ‘special’ events, giving students extra credit for attending said events and allowing voting during this. This is a perfect example of how bonds are misused, statewide not just here. Most bonds are passed by a small majority of voters as most vote straight ticket and neglect the bottom of the ballot issues. In this instance, the ISD hold a powerful leverage with a built in voter base of educators and administrators who will vote solely for this issue. We do need some things. We need them so badly that we wring our hands and must do something, anything. So, out of desperation some say, “there is some waste here, but we HAVE to do something so vote yes.” NO, NO this is what the bankers and bond salesmen depend on. They will stuff un-needed items here and blackmail you emotionally playing on your fears of “ANYTHING; SOMETHING must be done.” You approve waste to gain some good. This is insanity. Restructure, represent in two years. Two years is not a lot to ask for a more fiscally responsible bond. These issues didn’t appear overnight, and the board didn’t address them for years….now they want you to vote for this because it has gotten sooo… bad. And in voting for needed items, they will force other items through.
Please, tomorrow, vote NO on the Dayton ISD bond. Do not cause our grandchildren and children not even born yet to become indebted for our wants of now. Let them make decisions on an as needed basis in their lifetime.
“I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared..
But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years.”-Jefferson