I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed 150% increase in income taxes for Bowling Green City Schools (BGCS). Recent communications regarding this levy attempt to draw comparisons with other school districts, but they fail to consider a critical factor: BGCS has lost approximately 350 students in recent years. Not a single school being compared has anywhere near that loss of students since Covid. This significant decline in enrollment should prompt a reevaluation of the district’s budget and spending priorities, rather than an appeal for increased taxation.
In any business model, when revenue decreases—such as a decline in student enrollment—there are immediate adjustments made to expenses. This is not only a common practice; it is essential for sustainability. Unfortunately, BGCS seems to be taking a different approach, advocating for more spending even as the number of students continues to dwindle. This misalignment is concerning and raises questions about fiscal responsibility. An economics course could be a great training lesson for the administration at BGCS.
As taxpayers, we are being asked to shoulder a staggering increase in income taxes that does not reflect the economic reality of our community or the current student population. Such a levy can be characterized as a death spiral of spending: when income decreases, the district is proposing to ask for more from its taxpayers rather than optimizing its resources. This method of funding is neither efficient nor sustainable.
Moreover, I urge the community to consider the long-term implications of continuing to fund what many view as excessive and unnecessary spending. Allocating more taxpayer dollars to a system that is not adjusting its budget in line with student enrollment will not yield better educational outcomes. Instead, it risks straining the financial well-being of the community, leaving residents with less disposable income and fewer resources to invest in their families and local businesses.
Supporting this tax increase does not help our schools; it perpetuates a cycle of fiscal irresponsibility that will ultimately harm the community. Rather than funneling more money into a flawed system, we should focus on holding the district accountable, reevaluating spending, and prioritizing the education and well-being of our students within a sustainable financial framework.
It’s time to advocate for change that truly benefits our community, not additional financial strain.
John Recker
Bowling Green
