Clear propaganda and look at facts

Clear the propaganda. Look at facts.

Current levy rate per $100,000 taxable property assessment — $68.40.

Proposed levy rate per $100,000 taxable property assessment — $90 (plus 31.3 percent.)

Property with $400,000 taxable assessment (probably over-assessed $100,000 to $200,000.)

Current levy annual tax — $274.

Proposed levy annual tax — $360 plus $86.

Levy passes — owner pays $360 (probably $90 to $180 on over-assessment)

Levy fails — owner saves $274.

Will your income increase 31 percent in 2007 like the proposed levy?

LPOSD gives reasons to justify proposed levy, things board wants but not necessarily educational necessities. No cost cutting given.

What about:

? Four-day week. Works in other districts. No less class hours just longer day. Annual minimum hours mandated by state.

? Student census down. What about facility consolidations?

? LPOSD overspends state school allocation. Reason smaller classes. Is this what a board or taxpayers want?

? Some of expenditures the levy supports are the same ones rejected in last fall's levy attempt, others are extracurricular activities.

Government spending and property taxation needs to be reigned in. No levies of any kind should pass against current erroneous assessments. LPOSD constantly pushes what the board wants, not necessarily what taxpayers want. Property owners are the money tree.

The district is already setting the stage for future levies, to quote Superintendent Dick Cvitanich on overspending state allocation "our goal is to continue that" vote.

Say "no" March 20. Tell LPOSD and other taxing entities "Live with what you have and within your means as we all have to."

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla