If this override doesn't pass, our schools will be forced to completely eliminate music, PE, a librarian, and we will have 30-40 kids in each classroom.
With young children of my own, I have to make a decision about what is best for my kids. If the Town of Payson continues to vote against measures to support our schools and our kids, my family will be packing up and moving down to the Valley where our kids can receive the education they deserve.
Varnish, perhaps you don't care about one family leaving town (and we are heavily involved in this town), but know this: we won't be alone. There will be MANY of us leaving Payson. For example, I know several healthcare providers in this town with young kids. Do you think they will have their children be a part of this school system? And how will Payson attract new Professionals with young children?
As we all leave, so does a large part of Payson's tax base. More local businesses will close, and the dimished tax base will result in even more layoffs of town workers, many of whom will also end up leaving Payson. If you think the current $2.6M shortfall is bad, wait until you see the long-term recourse if this override doesn't pass. This will kill Payson.
It's true, this will cost you some money. However, consider what our generation is paying for your social security - a program that we will never benefit from. We have to take care of each other, a basic principal I thought the residents of this town proudly shared.
Payson needs young families as much as it needs the retirees. We are business owners, consumers, and fellow tax payers; and our children are the future of this terrific town. I hope you will get educated on all of the facts of this important override and reconsider the long-term impact of your "no" vote.
We are voting YES, and we will do everything in our power to help educate our fellow residents of the facts about this vitally important vote.
Payson School District BUDGET STATISTICS & REALITIES
* The district has lost state funding over the past two years. Down $1,335,038.00 * Additional loss of budget capacity due to student loss over past 2 years - $675,990 * The state has an estimated 2 Billion deficit and will continue to cut * To reduce the budget the district eliminated 11 positions through resignations of staff members * Reduced PE and music instruction at the K-8 level * Reduced library services time at the K-5 level * Utilized short term federal funding to support 19 postions-5 of which will phase out in 1 year * 83% of district budget is in salaries & benefits; 8% is utilities; 3% is basic supplies, 6% legal, purchased services & other * The district spends 8.9% on admin. compared to the state average of 10.5% * 58.3% of the budget is spent in classrooms; state average is 54.5% * BOND funds for new building projects cannot be used for salaries ONLY construction * Use of Bond funds to implement Utility Savings Measures has saved the district $93,629 in utilities.
WITH THE OVERIDE THE DISTRICT CAN....
* Maintain class sizes at less than 30 students per class. * Continue to provide a comprehensive education that includes technology, physical education and the arts. * Provide continued instruction in a variety of advanced high school courses that better prepare sutdents for college. * Give additional assistance to students in reading & math. * The district will still have to reduce the budget with positions due to the shortage of state funding. * All areas furthest from the classroom will be considered first * Without the override, the impact will drop down into the classroom first.
TAX IMPLICATIONS
* It will increase the tax rate by an estimated .1121 or $11.21 annually on a $100,000 assessed value home. * Last year's tax rate was .3824, this years rate is .2385, next years with the override would be .3506 or $35.06 annually on a $100,000 assessed value home. * The board could have requested up to 15%, but chose to only request 10% given that this is an economically challenging time for our citizens and community.
BOTTOM LINE
* With the override passing, we will still have to reduce our budge by at least $400,000. * Without the override, we will reduce our budget by AT LEAST $1.2 MILLION dollars.
QUOTE: "If this override doesn't pass, our schools will be forced to completely eliminate music, PE, a librarian, and we will have 30-40 kids in each classroom."
If you truly expect to find a better learning environment by leaving Payson, you must be planning on moving to a very expensive area of The Valley. I can only think of a few areas that would surpass Payson schools.
You do realize that most Phoenix schools are going to face the very same budget cuts?
It sounds to me like you haven't thought this through very well.
Here's what I paid for local schools on my last property tax notice---JUST FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS:
SCHOOL EQUALIZATION: 134.72 P.U.S.D. 997.08 Gila Pueblo C.C. 215.12 NAVIT 24.13 ...............................
--------------------$ 1371.05
I'm far from wealthy, Actually, I get a little poorer every single day.
Without a severe tax cut and decrease to my tax burden, I am someone who will have to move to another part of the country. I had honestly planned on living here for the rest of my life.
Perhaps YOU don't care that much about another family having to leave town. In the next few years, there are many people and many families that will be forced to leave the area for one reason or another.
I really don't want it to be me---I'm voting "NO" ON THE OVERRIDE.
I voted no on the over ride. Voting yes or no will not make any difference on people moving out of Payson. Scare tactics. People are on the move all the time all over the country for one excuse or another. If it does, let the younger people move. It is easier for them than people that have paid taxes all thier lives and are now on fixed incomes. As for the Drs. leaving, most people go elsewhere for health care anyway.
