Enough is enough with Dist. 304 taxes

By now, everyone has received and probably paid their first property tax bill installment. You noticed that taxes have gone up while your property values have decreased. One area of tax increase is the Geneva School District.

Administrators and some school board members are oblivious to the sacrifices seniors and many families in the community are making to maintain their homes. Seniors have not received increases in their Social Security benefits, working men and women have not received raises for the past few years due to the economy.

School administrators and some school board members feel it’s their right to raise taxes. At a recent board meeting, administration officials boasted they were able to cut $1.1 million from their budget. No mention was made of the salaries and benefits administrators receive or whether they would reduce their pay “X” percentage to help the district or that employees would be required to absorb increases in medical and dental expense like many in the private sector must.

The district turned and twisted the budget like a Rubik’s Cube until they liked what they saw. Administrators and the board seem to forget who they work for. What we have here is the tail wagging the dog — school administration telling the board and taxpayers what they will do.

Understanding the importance and value of a good education for our children and not being insensitive to hardworking teachers, we need to place the blame of stewardship on the administrators themselves. It’s time for this district to be more accountable to the taxpaying citizens.

We need to demonstrate to this school district that we have had enough by attending upcoming school board meetings. Let your voices be heard. If the school board won’t listen, then maybe it’s time to recall board members.

Fred Dresser

Geneva