Time to get creative for school funding

Thursday, February 11, 2010

To the Editor:

I caught portions of our recent deliberative session on BCTV. I noticed there were some students from local schools touting their teachers and how badly underpaid they were and how they deserved more. I had nuns in school growing up. Do you really want to know what underpaid and badly mistreated mean? You haven’t a clue what they endured to provide education. These teachers have paying jobs, benefits and retirement. Compared to many these days that is huge. So be thankful you have what you have.

So many politicians and people in general find it so easy to spend other people’s money. Mike Scanlon said we should put aside our own personal situations and consider what these people give in service to the town. Unfortunately, for many these days, including myself, we cannot put aside our personal situations. I don’t earn a six-figure income and my income has dropped 25 percent due to the economy. I have no children or place any burden on the school system either. To Mike or these students: Are you willing to ante up and pay my share and those on fixed incomes? I certainly cannot right now, and I wish to be able to keep my home and live here until I die as many others do.

My property taxes have nearly doubled in eight years. With these types of increases, in 20 years or so when I wish to retire, I will no longer be able to afford to live in my own home that I built and paid for.

Following are several scenarios that may or may not work but are worth trying at least and debating.

Surcharges per student of $500 or $1,000 or whatever for people with kids in the school system. This would lessen the impact on the elderly and people without kids in the system. Yes, you have kids and they cost money. They are your responsibility.

If you feel teachers are underpaid, why not a local telethon or a series of fundraisers or a local lottery. Ante up, pay more than your tax bill to pay for increases, support staff, etc.

The town could make a special attachment with the tax bills for those who wish to do so.

Also, why not tip pool systems much like waitresses. If teachers are doing a good job, then families can put money into the pool and teachers and staff share in the funds. If there are laws against this, it is time to change them so that property owners are not the only source of income to these schools.

ROB BUREAU

Bedford