When in the last 20+ years has the school budget been voted down? And what's going on this year that it would be?? I didn't get to any budget meetings this year; however, I know from past years that BFA is generally very fiscally responsible when it comes to the school budget and increases are usually less than 2 percent, which is reasonable considering the the cost of everything goes up. Apparently there is a shift in residency to more voters w/o school-age children, which is being reflected in the voter turnout. Unless there is something truly outrageous/egregious in a school budget increase, it makes no sense to me at all to vote it down.
I get that everyone feels squeezed, but I've been told in the past that the revenue from property taxes is only a portion of the school budget and likely less than people think it is, so if that's true, I don't understand why there is such a huge connection made between the two.
The solution to this fine socialist institution would be to abolish it entirely and make those folks with children pay for private education--if they wanted it. Would property taxes then decrease to a reasonable level for everyone? Likely not.
It's unfortunate that billions are spent on sports like Nascar, NFL, MLB in salaries, stadiums, merchandizing, etc and yet we have to squabble over educating our children in this country. It's like living in a children's book titled "Upside Down World."
I don't have any kids this affects, I just am frustrated by the lack of foresight that seems to infect this town (that goes back years--most recent issue being the town office debacle) and the lack of priorities in the country as a whole.
