Opinion

You'd better keep close eye on tax levy

Posted February 22, 2009 10:00 pm

Barrington, hold on to your hats! Despite the turmoil in our economy, Barrington school board (members) decided to ask for a 15 percent increase in the tax levy. Yes, that's 15 percent.

The school board has stated they know they will not get that amount of increase because of the CPI and tax caps. The school board always employs this technique in order to capture the maximum amount of dollars. For the year ending June 2008, the district received $10 million more in revenues than the year before and expended $15 million more than the year before.

According to the school board, that is called "fiscal responsibility."

Now here is the feather in the hat. Barrington 220 will soon (if they are not already) be involved in teacher contract negotiations for the period beginning September 2009. The last teachers' contract was negotiated during a good economy, full of perks and substantial increases and not necessarily the best contract for taxpayers.

We MUST watch the school board to make sure they do not negotiate a contract that is unsustainable. Many school districts are cutting expenditures at this time because of the current economy. Everyone should be aware of this situation and let your voice be heard.

Carol Schubert

President BETA

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