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Fearmongering is a staple of school districts nationwide; the LPOSD is no different. In their glossy, full-color flyer, they lay out the doomsday scenario should taxpayers reject their demands for their newest levy, a 49-percent increase over its predecessor — likely to be followed by a second multimillion-dollar levy later — which doesn’t bother informing property owners where our money will be spent. It also avoids mentioning state funding increases they’ll receive.

The district runs levies in March purposefully: those out-of-district during winter cannot vote, thus have no voice, reducing voter turnout and increasing their chances of it passing.

Consider this:

The charter school receives no levy funds; it works within its budget, delivering its students a comparable education.

Those on fixed incomes will be hardest hit, yet the district is unconcerned, reaching further into our pockets with no regard for how it will detrimentally affect our lives.

In my child’s former Oregon school district, a $65.3 million bond passed. The result? Drastic reductions anyway, a continued trend of subpar test scores, and a shiny new elementary school that’s partially empty.

When was the last time you got a 49% increase in your household budget? Just like all of us, we should require the LPOSD work within theirs.

Please vote against this abusive, irresponsible levy. It’s time we stopped allowing the LPOSD to treat taxpayers as their personal piggybanks.

JODI GIDDINGS

Sagle