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The LPOSD supplemental levy proposition of $25.4 million, again, illustrates the tone-deafness of Superintendent Shawn Woodward. For a variety of reasons that would exceed the 250-word limit, the 49 percent increase in the levy amount is excessive. This levy culminates a five-year certified wage increase at LPOSD of 35 percent.

The LPOSD student-teacher ratio is 17, by any measure a respectable learning environment. LPOSD’s student population is 300-400 students below the 2007-2008 level when the levy amount for two years totaled $8.96 million.

I observed the Delphi-technique identified as “a year-long strategic planning process.” Increasing staff pay was introduced, as a first priority, at separate tables, in separate events, by senior LPOSD staff positioned at each table. This is not a “community” desire, but rather a coordinated systematic staff desire. Additionally a 1,000-plus person questionnaire was completed predominately by the LPOSD staff and “network.”

Another Superintendent Woodward “Pinnochio” found in the January 26 Daily Bee propaganda piece, “a (facility) levy or bond has not been discussed or planned.” LPOSD, please explain the two-page Facebook image of the hired engineer’s $39 million projected facility levy confiscation amount.

Based on projected state and levy data for 2019, LPOSD’s per student funding amount is 45 percent higher than the Lakeland School District, respectively, $13,009 ($46,835,963 per 3,600) versus $8,992 ($41,514,704 per 4,617). If LPOSD’s goal is to be comparable with Route 90 school districts, Woodward and LPOSD have greatly exceeded parity, another “tree limb Pinnochio” for Woodward.

Vote against the levy on March 12.

DAN ROSE

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