LPOSD needs to tighten budget, not hold a levy

"LPOSD Levy Gets Support" was the headline in the Nov. 19 edition of the Bee. And why not? The meeting, which was supposed to get public input about the upcoming levy, got almost no publicity outside the educational community aside from an article in the Bee which appeared two weeks ago.

The meeting was not even listed in the daily calendar.

Almost all who spoke in support of the levy were either teachers or parents of students or both. The two of us who spoke against the levy emphasized we understand the importance of education to the students and the future of the community, however now is not the time to increase the tax burden when we are in a recession, people are losing their jobs and homes, and many can not even pay for food or health needs.

Two years ago the sales tax was increased to pay for school maintenance and operations; this year taxes were increased to pay for a levy for construction.

Although I voted for the last levy, I cannot vote for the proposed one when the economy is in such bad shape. Although it is regretful, the LPOSD must tighten its belt and live within its budget like everyone else.

ED BITTNER

Sagle