Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > October > 05 > Entry
Editorial: Dayton must pass school levy
The Dayton Daily News editorial board Sunday endorsed the city school board’s 4.9-mill levy, saying the city cannot afford to see the levy fail.
This levy is considerably smaller than the 15.17-mill levy try in 2007. Take a look at the editorial and let us know in the comments here if you agree or disagree. Will you vote for the levy? Do you think it will pass?
Permalink | Comments (39) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Richard
October 21, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
JIMI’s comments say alot. The funding problem that DPS is having is a larger version of what all of the schools will eventually face because of the two-faced idiot running for Senator, JON HUSTED. He has no understanding or appreciation of the diverse educational needs of our communities. His leadership in the DEREGULATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, (AKA Charter Schools)has ruined the large city school districts like Dayton. But he has been paid very well by businesses and charter school advocates in and outside of Ohio. This same group of advocates also controlled the DPS School Board at one time. That is the other reason that the district is in the mess they’re in! Oh, I will vote for the school levy and NOT FOR JON HUSTED!!By Dennis
October 16, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Davidss, the payroll tax I recommended would be for those living in the Dayton Public School District not those outside the school district.By Davidss2
October 12, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Why should people living outside Dayton but working inside Dayton pay to operate Dayton School mess more than they already do? The people living inside Dayton should pay for what they’ve allowed to develope without revolting. Those of us that moved away have our own expenses. Don’t add a payroll tax to outsiders.By Worried DPS Parent
October 11, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
This levy /has/ to pass. At the “Meet and Greet” at Cleveland ES on 9/25, Dr. Stanic left me with the impression that even if this levy passes, it is not really enough and DPS will still suffer to some extent, but that due to the past administrative and levy failures, this was as much as the current DPS Administration & Board felt comfortable asking for. I feel that if it fails, it will be catastrophic for not just DPS, but the city as a whole. One of the reasons I was OK with buying a house in Dayton was, as a parent of (at that time) pre-school-age kids I saw the levy for the new schools pass and figured that, despite the general impression in the Miami Valley, Daytonians want to give those in charge of DPS the funds they need to get the job done. The performance of the school district is a big factor in a lot of people’s decision in where to buy a house and if we don’t get the funding for the stumbling DPS to get back up on its feet then before we know it, it will be prostrate on the ground. At the same “Meet and Greet” I was absolutely astounded to learn that it was SIXTEEN years since an operating levy was passed. Is it any wonder DPS is failing? One final, slightly tangential point - if you ever get the opportunity meet with Dr. Stanic, do so; he has, imho, great focus and vision for DPS and certainly wants to make DPS a great school district.By Buford
October 10, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
With age comes a realization that various mantras/comments/and precepts get repeated. Doesn’t mean such are necessarily right, just means they have been said/used before and are conv eniently picked from the shelf for reuse. Such as: If you don’t vote for a property tax levy for public schools, you do not support the “kids” and will have to pay more down the road as they lead a life of destitution or crime; If you don’t support the levy, the schools will fail and property values will decrease; You can’t hold the kids accountable for their uninterested or absent parents; The schools are the last chance for kids with a horrible home life; You can’t expect to operate on a budget that essentially has not been updated since around 1991; Someone paid for your education, you should be glad to pay for someone else’s; The reason DPS costs so much more per student is the numbers of students with significant disabilities. I could go on, but would serve little purpose. Problem is, most of the statements given have a certain element of truth - but not the whole story. Take for instance the last property tax levy for DPS school operations (back around 1991). It was sold as “all about the kids” and passed handily. Within a few months the Teachers Union grew tired of asking for a cut of the pie and went out on strike, closing DPS schools for some time - until they DID get a piece of the action. One thing about old folks, often, we have long memories. And DPS has the distinction of fostering the only school requiring my direct intervention to stop a group of high school kids from extorting money from one of my kids(to avoid being assaulted by the thugs). Also that same school took no interest when another of my kids was physically assaulted just off property by another group of thugs - such that a trip to Good Sam emergency room was called for. Add a principal who would not talk with me, and a superintendent who woul not give me an appointment to discuss problems in a DPS school, or even respond to a five page typed letter. AND I have been a fly on the wall in all the previous DPS high schools, physically present and personally talked with principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and students - and for close to two decades. Plus, I have done background work on literally hundreds of DPS students over the years. I have been in the homes, in the neighborhoods, walked the streets, talked to people. More money, and from property owners, just will not solve DPS problems. (And a close family relative/retired now, with Ph.D, and having spent all adult life in the educational community - also says more money does not solve urban education problems).By Dennis
October 9, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
There are 3 levies that Dayton voters are act to pass in a cycle. Health and Human Services, Sinclair Community College, and Dayton Public Schools. This election cycle it’s Dayton Public School’s turn to ask property owners to shell out even more money for a service that benefits us all. Do I think the levy will pass. I think it will and the reason I think it will pass is that those who rent in the the Dayton Public School District will vote yes on an issue they don’t have to pay for. I rented property in Dayton when I first came in here in 1997. I never saw my rent increased the entire time I rented so to say the landlords are going to pass this on to us in the form of higher rent I won’t buy that argument. I would vote yes in support of this levy if Day Public Schools would look at a better way of local funding than property taxes. Troy to the north, and Xenia to the east have property taxes which goes for school but instead of levy after levy they also have what amounts to a payroll tax. Even though I hate taxes if everyone was who lived and worked in Dayton had the share the cost to educate our kids then I could live with that. Would i be happy no but I would be willing to contribute my share. Since I bought my home in 2000 my property taxes have gone up over $300. $300 is not a lot to some people in Dayton but it is to my wife and I. The .030 to .035 cent raises I get each year along with the increases that come with the benefits the company I work for passe son to me. I am losing ground not getting ahead. I am sure this the case with most of us who live in Dayton. I did not add in the hits we are all taking with higher gas, food, heating, electric prices. I did even touch those who are losing their jobs and those facing foreclosure. I do wish that when people came to ask for money that I could contribute out of the abundance that I have but there is no abundance here, I am trying to get back just like anyone else and I am just like many people here in Dayton just on paycheck away from being on the streets. This is why I am voting no on issue 52. Financially this just adds further strain on my the financial well being of my family. If we were voting on a payroll tax to fund our schools that everyone one would pay who lived in Dayton Public School District then that issue would my yes vote. Thank you for timeBy Dennis McFarland
October 9, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this
I predict the levy will pass. Unfortunately this will be paased by those who do not pay property taxes in Dayton. I would support the passage of levies in the community if the levies were funded by a payroll tax that everyone would pay instead of asking just proprty owners to fund services that benefit everyone in the community. I bought my home in 2000 and since that time my property taxes have gone up $300. For those who rent I wonder how many of you could afford those that kind of increase in your rent. For those of you who support the levy I would say this we need another way to fund levies in our community differently. Fund the levies through payroll deductions and I will support every levy that came down the pike. Would I like it no but at least I can be comforted by the fact that everyone else in Dayton is sharing the cost with me.By 1984
October 8, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
PLZ The libs killed our city and schools with there bussing crap. The people keep voting big Libs in and thay run everything in the ground. You have students walking around with there pants pulled down looking like fools. Look the students have no respect for themselve or other people nor do I. Clean up your act and fire the big Libs and theay could have a chance and a levy good luck 1984.By Concerned Mom of 3
October 8, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
These are some really good posts… I enjoy reading the points in favor of and against the levy. Nicely done- everyone. Mary writes…”teach them how to think, how to read interest rates for homes, how to eat, how to exercise, how to be responsible parents, voters, adults, etc.” These points are what education should be about- especially in DPS. I believe a failed levy will have a negative impact on student accomplishment of those vital educational outcomes.By concerned parent
October 8, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Ken: Why do you feel that it is hard to support the school district with the current voucher system in place? I am very grateful for the current Ed Choice vouchers, otherwise my child would be stuck in a school system where he would not be educated because we have no means of currently moving out of the City of Dayton. The Ed Choice voucher system is great, in that those parents who want their children to receive a better education can request the voucher. They offer a priority for “low income” families. I couldn’t afford the $5,500 I have to pay for my son to go to private school for a year, plus the cost of preschool for my 3 year old of around $750 a year. The Ed Choice Voucher maid it possible for us to do both, otherwise my oldest child would have been home schooled. Either way, home school or Ed Choice, DPS would have lost out on the money to educate my child. Oh, and the schools that accept Ed Choice vouchers are required to have a passing rate on the State Tests, otherwise they may loose their Ed Choice acceptance eligibility. So, those schools have accountability and good scores and kids passing, graduating, etc. BTW, the value of an Ed Choice Voucher is approximately $4,300.00. I do not feel the current status of the schools rating/ranking has anything to do with its current financial condition. DPS, except one (1) year, has always been very low scoring and under performing.By Barb
October 8, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Seems as if a lot of the people who have caused this problem in DPS are gone so why hold the problems of the past against the present administration. DPS parents will never become more responsible because they do not have to but that is no reason to let so many children follow in parents footsteps. The only way to invoke change for these children is to educate them and to let them know what they see in their homes is not what goes on in the rest of our city. Once again I will bet the people with the strongest opinions of what is wrong with DPS do not spend time there. Don’t judge until you spend time with the children then feel free to judge what they need.By JIMI
October 8, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
AND RIGHT ON CUE YOU PEOPLE ENDORSE HUSTEAD FOR STATE SENATE BASED ON THE B.S. ARGUMENT THAT HE IS THE MOST EXPERIENCED QUALIFIED DUDE WHEN YOU KNOW UP FRONT THAT HE IS GOING TO DO THE WRONG THING—AS JUDGED BY YOUR EDITORIAL POSITIONS—NEARLY EVERYTIME. WHAT THE CANDIDATES DO MATTERS. WHAT THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DO IS B.S. AND YOU FALL FOR IT EVERYTIME. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS AN EDITORIAL BOARD FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OHIO AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM?By bobby
October 8, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
This levy will pass as the tidal wave of Obama supporters will vote for the levy. The DDN will then have a chance to write another editorial or article about racial/geographic division in Dayton. Has the DDN ever not endorsed a levy?By deb
October 8, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Concerned Taxpayer: Are you still charging the same rent you were 16 years ago? All of us would be throwing major fits to our employers if we were trying to survive on the same income today that we were being paid 16 yrs ago. And people are expecting DPS to operate on a budget Last year Scott did an article that compared DPS to Lakota….and the numbers were very similar. The differences were often accounted for because of the different programs and administrators needed for those programs because of the socio-economic status of DPS.By Eve
October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Concerned Taxpayer, just curious if your any properties have been devalued recently, will you be passing those tax savings on to your tenants?By Mary
October 8, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Concerned mom of 3, I enjoy reading your posts and respect your opinion. However, the criminals and deadbeats argument regarding school funding leaves me cold after hearing it for so many years. Deadbeats and criminals are not because of a lack of funds but because of a lack of values and priorities with the funds. The idea that we have to entertain, rather than educate, young people in our schools to make them responsible citizens and leaders is an example. Many young people in our schools have a much stronger sense of entitlements than than do a sense of leadership and responsibility. We divert much more money to a few young men and women in our schools in sports than we do on the entire student body to teach them how to think, how to read interest rates for homes, how to eat, how to exercise, how to be responsible parents, voters, adults, etc. Some of the deadbeats and criminals are probably high IQ and high potential people whose intellectual talents were never nurtured or encouraged to positive goals that benefit society as well as themselves. We are a dumbed down culture that spews forth mantras in our schools like “Sports builds leadership”. That sort of environment helps drive many otherwise intelligent young men into crime. Read the books “Schools that do too much” and “No easy answers - the truth behind death at Columbine” to better understand what the traditonal school environment is imprinting on our children and their sense of citizenship.By Buford
October 8, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Here is the ODE comparisons for a number of school districts, taken from the current ode.state.oh.us website. Ohio Public School Districts/Compared. Dayton: 15,023 students (down 802 from last year); Academic Watch (AW); Zero of 30 rating categories met; AYP not met; graduation rate 82.8%; 90.8% attendance rate; 69.6% Black/non-Hispanic students; 90.4% students economically disadvantaged; 20.2% students w/disabilities; $13,531 local per student cost (06/07 school year). Columbus: 52,894 students (down 780 from last year); Continuous Improvement (CI); 6 of 30 standards/categories met; AYP not met; graduation rate 70.6%; 94.1% attendance rate; 61.7% Black/non-Hispanic; 98.1% students economically disadvantaged; 15.7% students w/disabilities; $12,653 local per student cost (06/07 school year). Cleveland: 50,078 students (down 2,711 from last year); AW; 2 of 30 standards met; AYP not met; 61.9% graduation rate; 90.9% attendance rate; 69.8% Black/non-Hispanic; 83.7% economically disadvantaged; 20% w/disabilities; $12.213 local per student cost (06/07 school year). Akron: 24,986 students (down 772 from last year); CI; 5 of 30 standards met; AYP not met; 76.4% graduation rate; 92.9% attendance rate; 48% Black/non-Hispanic; 79.7% economically disadvantaged; 17.5% w/disabilities; $10,421 local per student cost (06/07 school year). Toledo: 27,200 students (down 784 from last year); CI; 5 of 30 standards met; AYP not met; 87.8% graduation rate; 95.2% attendance rate; 46.2% Black/non-Hispanic; 55.2% economically disadvantaged; 18.6% w/disabilities; $11,320 local per student cost (06/07 school year). Cincinnati: 33,781 students (down 100 from last year); CI; 9 of 30 standards met; AYP not met; 80% graduation rate; 94.8% attendance rate; 69.4% Black/non-Hispanic; 59.9% economically disadvantaged; 20.3% w/disabilities; $12,550 local per student cost (06/07 school year). Lakota/Butler Co: 17,265 students (up 485 from last year); Excellent/W/Distinction (EWD); 30 of 30 standards met; AYP met; 95.5% graduation rate; 96.5% attendance rate; 9.2% Black/non-Hispanic; 10.3% economically disadvantaged; 8.9% w/disabilities; $8,518 local per student cost (06/07 school year).By Oldprof
October 7, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Support it or not, but please don’t spread misinformation. Lee, school districts have to ask for tax levies every few years because school taxes don’t automatically increase to keep up with inflation; it’s the fault of your Husted approach to do-it-yourself government, where citizens have to figure out public finance on their own. Rich, you don’t get away with that slanderous falsehood; the DPS construction levy is used 100% for construction, and if any amount isn’t needed, the taxpayers get it back. Buford, we’ve been over this before: if you are responsible for several special-needs students who require $80,000 per year in required services, then yes, your average per student goes through the roof. Support or reject the levy, but first educate yourself so that you don’t need to ask those questions or post those misleading statements on a blog.By Concerned Mom of 3
October 7, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
The economy still stinks… BUT I urge you to carefully consider the consequences of a No vote on the levy… I think we either support the schools now- or be prepared to support the criminals/deadbeats later. The new superintendent has made some very apporopriate cuts in upper administration. He has the whole DPS district focused on “teaching and learning.” As far as I can tell, the decisions made thus far follow that philosophy to the letter. The district is moving in a positive direction. This levy is reasonable. This levy is needed. Please support it- for the sake of the kids. It isn’t their fault the way schools are funded is illegal… And, it isn’t their fault they were born into families with very little financial, emotional, or educational support… In spite of the negative stigma associated with DPS, there are some very positive things happening. Join me in voting yes- for the future of Dayton.By Rick
October 7, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
The Dayton Board of Education has steadfastly through the years to apply the disciplinary practices necessary to maintain sufficient order in the classrooms. On 19 February 1995 the Dayton Daily News, Jim Debrosse author, had an articel about the chaos in the DPS. Most significant it had a table comparing various discplinary actions taken in the DPS and the other large school districts for the 93-94 school years. The article noted that Dayton had, by far, the lowest suspension rate of the urban school districts in Ohio. Its suspension rate was one-tenth of that of Akron and Columbus and one-sixth that of Cincinnati. Those numbers have held steady over the years. I performed similar comparisons for the next two school years and found that the numbers remained fairly constant. I provided these charts to the Board and discussed them at the open Board meetings. Nothing has changes. A poster at DaytonOS has posted conglomerate disciplinary actions taken on the urban school districts of Ohio. As you can see, not much has changed since 1995. So why should voters approve this levy when the DPS has steadfastly refused to take the one action that would fairly quickly and inexpensively improve the DPS?By Laura
October 7, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
All the people who are making excuses for why they won’t support the levy, they are just that- excuses. It wouldn’t matter what kind of improvements DPS made, you’d still refuse to vote for the additional funds. If they were able to increase the scores without the increase of funds, you’d say:”see they didn’t need it.” For the person who wants the parents to be held accountable, so do the teachers, but that isn’t going to happen, so why make the children pay? They have no choice in who their parents are. I’m not sure why “Concerned Taxpayer” cares if it passes or not as he or she has already stated they they will not pay the increase, their tenants will, so obviously there is another issue here. For “Concerned Parent” there is a reason the state isn’t coming in to take over the district- they can’t do any better as they have already proven. As to your son, is he is making progress, perhaps he is making progress as fast as HE is capable of. Just because it isn’t on your timetable doesn’t mean it is the fault of the district or its employees, or anyone else.By Obama is a liar
October 7, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
NO!!!!By Ken
October 7, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
It is hard to support a school levy with the current voucher system in place.By Concerned Taxpayer
October 7, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
As a dayton area landlord, I can assure you renters also pay (indirectly) the price of higher property taxes. I send notices to all my tenants each election about the levy and its effect on rent. I pass the cost on to them dollar for dollar when the lease renews. Most of them get it and will be voting no. Just wondering says it is cheaper to educate them now than support them on welfare programs as adults. What kind of choice is this? DPS needs to start doing more with less instead of less with more, as has been the recent trend. Until they show improvement with what they already have, to entrust them with more is foolish. As for supporting burnouts as adults — I say kick them off the welfare roles or put them to work picking up trash from the interstate.By Lee
October 7, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
I am tired of all the levies. Why do those of us who own homes have to support those who chose not to own property. What is the percentage of homeowners vs non-homeowners with children in DPS schools?By Rich
October 7, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
The crooks already cheated us of millions of dollars that were supposed to build new school buildings…and DDN has the audicity to support another levy? DDN needs to line up in the firing line with the crook politicians that just robbed us of over $700 billion.By painfultruth
October 7, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
The Dayton school levy will fail despite the pleas from the DDN. The DPS are a miserable failure and no amount of money will cure the problem. There are no bad teachers, only bad students!By Concerned Taxpayer
October 7, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
I sent letters to all my tenants in Dayton properties letting them know that if this levy passes their rent goes up dollar for dollar with the levy. After following up with phone calls, they all said they agree and will be voting no. Dayton has already proven to be incompetent by spending the most per student in 3 or 4 counties with bad results. Why should people give anymore? The new slogan with today’s economy is “Do more with less — just like everyone else” instead of the DPS normal of do less with more.By NoMoMoney4U
October 7, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
Absolutely not. Until DPS and parents prove they are worthy of more money, this will continue to fail. Hopefully with the new leadership will do better than the last. Until I/We see the parents are more accountable we will not be voting for this levy.By MC
October 7, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
I will absolutely support this levy. It is wrong that school funding is messed up but that is not the DPS fault and until it changes we deal with it the way it is. The discipline problems in the schools come in from the outside, the teachers do not like it either but they don’t give up. I appreciate their hard work and dedication and do not want to see our community completely fall apart if the school system fails. Education is the only way out of poverty for these kids. Unfortunately, all the news reports is the dark side of DPS. We never get a glimpse of all the positive things going on and all the students that care and are doing well!By DPS Teacher
October 7, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with jimi on this - Jon Husted, long-time advocate of “competition” between charters and public schools, now would like for “cooperation” between charters and public schools. The reason is that overall, the charters are doing no better than any big urban public district and distinctly worse than many rural and suburban schools. That said, DPS has not asked for an operating levy for 16 years. Yes, times are tough and about to get tougher. Our children still need the best education we can give them. In the past, Americans have been known to sacrifice for the sake of their kids - will that happen now? I truly hope so.By deb
October 7, 2008 5:32 AM | Link to this
I heard it put very well in a conversation the other day. If we do NOT pass this levy, the values of our homes are going to drop faster than it would cost us to put out the $8/month. It was then shared that a home that used to be valued at almost $70K 10yrs ago is currently only valued at less than $60K.By me
October 7, 2008 4:38 AM | Link to this
VOTE NO. I’m tired of paying just because I have a house.If they want it to pass they should do like kentucky and put it on the utilities that way everyone has to pay.Even all those who are sitting on welfare.I work two jobs,and my house is still falling apart.Just sick to death of people with their hands outs wanting a free hand out.By concerned parent
October 6, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
I will be voting “NO” to this issue. If the City is so concerned about DPS needing the money, instead of wasting so much money putting 3 park like settings in on Catalpa/Salem Ave. interchange (that will become trashed and full or prostitution and drug dealing/using) and building a huge new park around the new Fairview school (again which will become a source of prostitution and drugs) why not put that money into the school system. Our schools were going downhill before we failed to pass the levy in 2007, but DPS Officials fail to state that and make it look like it was a result of the levy failure. We went back into Academic Watch in the 2007-2008 school year, which was based upon the results of the 2006-2007 school year. So, the levy failing had nothing to do with our drop in State rankings. I almost think that DPS would be better off if the State came in and ran them for a few years. My son has special needs, and I am already seeing the writing on the wall that he will not get those through DPS next year. Yes, his language is improving, but he is still not at the level a child his age should be. I have already taken one of my children out of DPS, and will take another out when he eligible for Ed Choice.By just wondering
October 6, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Buford - What is your alternative, Buford, for educating children who have been brought into their situation through certainly no fault or decision of their own? Do you think your expenses for supporting them as adults will be cheaper than educating them now? Penny-wise and pound foolish is the way I view the selfish and foolish people who will not take care of the children who are innocent of anything other than being brought into this world by less than ideal parents or ideal situation. And, after the economy becomes a little more “corrected” we may all be in a more humbled situation. I have no children, by the way, and I could easily resent paying for anyone’s kids’ education. But my poor, yet intelligent parents instilled a belief that we are all responsible for each other in this brief stay on earth. You can’t take it with you, Buford. You might as well do something that will make a difference. Make any excuse you want, but down the line, you will pay for an uneducated populous one way or another.By School Supporter
October 6, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Buford writes, “We will not get better educational results by throwing more money at it.” Dr. Stanic understands that—hence the two-thirds cut to the 2007 levy request. This vote is an opportunity to support the direction Dr. Stanic has set for the district—especially the cuts to administration. There may never be a better opportunity for Dayton to improve educational results than passing the levy and supporting Dr. Stanic’s reforms.By Tom
October 6, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Go ahead and vote against it, but don’t complain when you don’t get the results you want. It was this same closed mindedness that caused DPS to go down the tubes last year. Get over yourself and the “Me, Me, Me” attitude and think of someone else (ie. the kids). They can only rise above their current situation with the proper guidance. Vote against the levy and you’re taking the last hope away from many of them.By Buford
October 6, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
I and my family will vote against the levy, any school levy for DPS. We pay already too much (more than almost any other school district around - $13,000 plus per student) and DPS is at the bottom of the ratings scale. Further the State Supreme Court has four times said not to rely on property tax levies as a primary source for school funding. Plus, the locals have just approved a hefty Human Services Levy that will jump our existing taxes already. Economy is tough, times are hard, student discipline sucks in DPS (read some of the teacher postings). A significant number of parents are not involved in their kids’ educational efforts (again, read some of the past teacher’s comments). We will not get better educational results by throwing more money at it. DPS did not even make/pass one of the 30 categories school districts are graded on. Finally, DPS student population has declined well over 40 percent in last 15 years, from 26,000 down to 15,000 and change. With the current economy and jobs loss, that number is going lower.By jimi
October 6, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
it would have been better if y’all didn’t endorse every single loser that is responsible for defunding the public schools with charters just because they are incumbents. when, exactly, do you accept your share of the responsibility here?