Letter to the Editor:

Your Vote

The STC School District is asking the public to extend the Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS). The current RPS ends in 2022, six years from now. Currently it is used to pay-off the “new” elementary bonds, purchase buses, boilers, etc. It is working as intended. The STC district collects $1.4 million in sales tax revenue yearly. The reason this vote is being called for at this time is the fact that the school board wants to spend this $7 million (the maximum amount allowed) for the replacement of the “portables” at the high school. Be advised the square feet of the portables that needs replaced is approximately 7,000 sf. The entire “addition” is 17,000 sf.

At a meeting we attended in January we asked the question on how much will be borrowed to cover the proposed replacement of the “portables” at the high school. This question was not answered. In fact, the school board was ready to immediately commit to spending $7.6 million dollars for this project without any public input. Interesting that the newspaper reports the spending will be $5.2 million dollars.

We are concerned if there is enough sales tax money to make payments on $7 million dollar bond, continue paying down on the elementary debt, replace buses, boilers, etc. as needed. This is where our concern comes in for a possible tax increase. Be reminded, just 3 short years ago our school portion of the property taxes were increased approximately 30%.!

We think there is much that needs to be discussed. The board has a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens/taxpayers of the South Tama district and if you agree, then consider a vote “no” at this time to properly consider other fiscally prudent options.

Roger L. Wacha Jr.

Joanne M. Wacha

Rural Toledo