“We can’t afford the proposed school levy”. How many times have you heard this opinion voiced at the school board meetings and seen it in multiple ads in the Sentinel Tribune, two large billboards at the entrances to the city, multiple signs on rental properties in the city and a school district wide professional mailing sent to all residents.
Doesn’t it make you wonder WHY these individuals are SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY (‘estimates of over $10,000) on their opposition to the proposed levy? .They voice a very strong “no” from reasons that range from too much money, to too long a time, to favoring neighborhood schools that are deteriorating but are being touted by the opponents as the “good bones” of our aging school buildings.
The group of individuals funding the opposition to the levy own large amounts of property in the school district either farm acreage or rental properties. The levy would, they feel, tax them disproportionally. Perhaps they don’t realize that a poor educational system will damage their labor pool (no one capable of performing the needed jobs) and decrease their property values. Bowling Green will become a less desirable place to live as the quality of our educational system deteriorates.
Professionals have testified that the levy plan is comprehensive and long-term cost saving to the district. It will also provide a learning environment for the children of the district to meet the challenges they will be facing in a totally different and changing world. Consultants have testified that this type of tax is the fairest to all the taxpayers in the school district.
Citizens of Bowling Green, it’s time for us to think for ourselves. Don’t let yourselves be swayed by individuals who have forgotten that the purpose of taxation through Ohio school levies is to promote a fair and high quality education for our children. This applies to both the professionals who work with our children and the quality of the facilities in which they learn.
Who paid for your education? The taxpayers who came before you who made sacrifices to pay for your education. Go to the Board of Education website: www.bgschools4kids.com to see the rationale and costs of the proposed levy.
Please VOTE on May 8. Make it YOUR vote for the future of our children. Our votes will be YES for the Bowling Green School District. We hope yours will be too.
Joanne and Leo Navin
Bowling Green
