The Special Election to pass a 9.5 mil levy had failed and neither side has won in this battle.

First, a continous levy never comes off the books and with our economy moving the way it is we are going to have a hard time meeting the taxes that are yet to come.

Social Security will be in dire straights because in the next ten years the last of the Baby Boomers will have pretty much entered retirement if the govenment doesn't increase retirement to 75.

But in reality, I think the next ten years will begin to strain the system for the work force is being reduced to levels we have not seen for some time. Will inflation go up? Most likely. Will fuel prices go up? Most likely. Will property values drop all over the nation? Most likely. But we can survive hopefully but change has to be msde to make that happen.

The burden our current generation under the age of 50 will begin to be taxed to help support the Social Security system. The families of 5 to 10 children back in the 60's and 70's are now an average of 2 or maybe 3. The workforce is shrinking and with unemployment adding to the problem a levy of 9.5 mils was and still a litle hard to swallow for most.

I don't think the levy failure will entice people to move from the district for the housing market is at an all time low, their home is worth less than what they paid for it, and how long will it take to sell that house. I recall someone moving for the same reason. Isn't financially feasible or sensible to go on.

I believe a sensible approach would be to interject an emergency levy that would be at a much lower mils. We have to be cautious to what lies in our future pertaining to the economy and make concessions in up and coming contracts.

The Board will have to review the contract for the teachers union and study where changes can be made to lessen the burden on the community and place more responsiblity on the Administration and Staff to contribute to their district. Many companies are increasing the employee share for their health and medical and I see no reason the district should not follow suit.

Times are hard for everyone but if concessions are not made, and outsourcing eliminated and performing the same mission with our current Staff and Administration reductions must occur and not only those who have been released will suffer but the students themselves.

We have to start delivering technology, textbooks, work books, white boards the size of a current black board and connected to a computer and controlled by the teachers hands to present a course by the flick of their hand.

We need to provide essential tools and materials in the arts, and the levy would not have truly provided this in the amount we currently need.

The levy would have provided $3.4 million for Salaries and Benefits and it would most likely mean that starting now and for the next five years we would use $3.4 million for Salaries and Benefits. Think of this. It will jump that much in the next 3-5 years?

Now what will the students receive from this? What equipment will they receive? What would we be able to afford? Has anyone or does anyone know what we would use the remainder of the $4,011,000.00? The remainder is $611,000.00 by the way. What will the be able to provide for the students with the remaining $611,000.00.

Busing will come back. But when? Has any one said? I seem to have missed it at some point.

What will the remainder be used for and it would be nice if it wasn't generalized, or speculated or transfered to a differnt account fund?

Our focus may be in the wrong direction by placing such a heavy burden on a community that is yet uncertain of where our economy is heading. A more resonable approach needs to be introduced that we as a community can sustain at this time. And the purpose should be defined mor clearly as to where the funds will be distributed.

We should have the opportunity to know where our funding to the district is going and this would thus provide the transparency the district informed us they were doing. I have seen in print the Superintendent indicated 85% was for Salaries and Benefits.

We need a solution and I believe the district needs to find a way aroud this.

Continous levies remove our vote on that levy in the future. It will also bring burden on the future generation in ways of taxes they may not be able to afford to buy a home. We do not need more vacant buildings in our community. We need to begin to support our community so that the community will be able to afford the taxes to support the district. Concessions by the Administrative Staff and the Teaching Staff need to be addressed to make this a reality. For that is the reality.

Martin Fleming