On the Nov. 2nd ballot, voters will be asked to renew a 0.50% income tax for Bowling Green City Schools. While they are not asking for more money, or new money, they are asking you to waive your right to vote on this ever again.
This tax has been on a five year renewal cycle but is now being presented as “continuing”. The term continuing means forever. At the top of the ballot it reads in bold letters, “PROPOSED INCOME TAX (RENEWAL) BOWLING GREEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT HENRY AND WOOD COUNTIES”. When you read further down, in small print, you will find the word “continuing.”
BG City Schools holds approximately 22 million in reserves and yet they are asking voters to free up millions. Has this board and superintendent proved themselves trustworthy with our tax dollars? Our schools were closed for a year and yet no repairs and /or improvements were made in our buildings.
In a very sudden decision they approved spending $750,000.00 on a turf field that will need replaced in 10-15 years. They gave David Conley (financial consultant) a 25% raise which puts his annual income at $50,000.00 and does not include his travel expenses, etc.
School board President Norm Geer stated, ” It’s $300 an hour.” $50,000.00 divided by $300.00 per hour = 167 hours of work. A forty hour work week times four weeks ( 1 month) = 160 hours. David Conley makes $50,000.00 for a months worth of work. He has been employed by our district for 3 years.
Additionally Cathy Schuller was given a raise and has yet to resolve an issue with the state to release the checkbook for our viewing. She has been asked repeatedly about this for over a year. Her response has been it’s an issue with the software not being compatible between the state and BGCS. A year is more than enough time to get this resolved. We have a right to see how our district is spending its money.
Should we trust this current board and superintendent with millions? David Conley stated that its possible uses ( for the money) are virtually limitless. The 0.50% income tax renewal does not expire until December 2022. This issue can be placed on the ballot again (May or November) as a traditional 5 year renewal….one you can continue to vote on in the future.
Brenda Pike
Bowling Green
