Since school officials are asking for a tax increase to purchase new buses and computers, they should first tell the taxpayer why they do not have the money set aside for buses and computers.
I would think that both should be treated as capital expenditures, and under any kind of generally accepted accounting principals, would be depreciated out over a certain number of years. Depreciation of these items should be a component of their budget, and replacement cost should be there.
This applies only if these educators are managing taxpayer money properly, which surely they are.
So, where is the money? It is just wrong for them to request a tax increase to purchase something that we have already paid for. Do they plan to ask for more tax money every time something needs to be replaced?
As for teacher salaries, perhaps there needs to be an adjustment, but just because teachers are paid “more over there,” is not much justification for it. Pay scales in any profession can be higher or lower depending on the location. My own salary could be higher in another location, but that is not where I want to be.
If they want to justify a salary increase, then let them show us what a good job they are doing based on the schools’ ratings. Taxpayers have already “stepped up.” Now it is time for the school administration to “step up” and get the job done with the resources that we have given them, or step down and let someone who is up to the job take over.
Teresa Campbell
Cortez
