No kids-Why do we have to pay school tax (budget, work)

[imaterry78259]

Me and a couple of friends were sitting around watching Monday Football and wondered why we have to pay school tax since none of our kids went to school here in Texas. Is this taxation without representation?

We all agreed that we would not mind paying something for school tax but not the amount we are taxed on. Of course we had a few beers

[firstclassflyer]

Because a lot of childless people probably paid school taxes for you and your friends when you were attending.

[banker]

Because we live in an every increasing social society that demands our children go to school in buildings costing nearly as much as world class hospitals. Funny - in an age when public school funding is at an unseen level - our education rates (college and test scores) are declining. But the politicians seem to think that if we have bigger and fancier schools kids will be smarter.

Personally I would rather have simpler schools (from a facilities standpoint) and spend the difference on better ciriculum and teachers salaries. Funny that teachers work in nicer buildings than most people but make much less.

The school districts and politicians have lost sight of what is truly important - the kids and the teachers. Instead they spend the bulk of their money - especially bond money - on palaces in which to "educate" our kids.

I went to private school all my life and will most likely do the same for my kids - so like my parents - I will pay taxes for my neighbors kids and pay tuition for my kids. Why? Because I value education over facilities.

[neddy]

Banker, I agree that the buildings are big and nice but also the tech used to teach our kids is getting much more expensive. Also the tech needed to be used and built into the schools to keep the kids safe is getting more expensive. The materials themselves used to build the schools are getting very expensive. All these increases are reflected in school taxes or tuition either way we all have to pay

[banker]

Originally Posted by neddy

Banker, I agree that the buildings are big and nice but also the tech used to teach our kids is getting much more expensive. Also the tech needed to be used and built into the schools to keep the kids safe is getting more expensive. The materials themselves used to build the schools are getting very expensive. All these increases are reflected in school taxes or tuition either way we all have to pay

Private schools - the ones that have to be accountable to an actual budget find ways to do it cheaper...how is that?

I firmly believe that construction costs on schools has spiralled out of control. To the point of being excessive.

[Eleanor Rigby]

Because those children you are paying for are your future caretakers when you are elderly. I want the phlebotomist or nurse or physical therapist taking care of me at 85 to have had a good education starting back in Kindergarten.

Also, I do believe it is the responsibility of a healthy society to educate all of its citizens.

[banker]

Originally Posted by Eleanor Rigby

Because those children you are paying for are your future caretakers when you are elderly. I want the phlebotomist or nurse or physical therapist taking care of me at 85 to have had a good education starting back in Kindergarten.

Also, I do believe it is the responsibility of a healthy society to educate all of its citizens.

I don't disagree - but you don't need 300 million dollar buildings to provide good educations. Only in America do you see such disproportionate costs of school houses. Japan is eating our lunch in terms of education - not to mention Europe. They spend lots more money on teachers, technology and ciriculum than we do - but spend less on buildings.

Again - I am not against public education. I am against publically funded palaces with which to do the educating. Ask the teachers - I am sure they would sacrifice some architectural detail and get a pay raise in stead.

[TXtrkgrl]

I used to work at a huge school district in SA. I am not even going to tell you guys the amount of wasted money. I'm not talking about on educational materials, I'm talking about desks, shelves, chairs, etc. for areas where there are NO students in the building, ever.
It used to make me soooo mad. Luckily I live out of town so I don't pay taxes for that school district but if I did I would have been taking it to the media and raising some serious cane.

[neddy]

Last year my son went to a well known in SA private school and they were always asking for more money from the parents and from the alumni or grandparents. Thats how they hit budgets.

[banker]

Originally Posted by neddy

Last year my son went to a well known in SA private school and they were always asking for more money from the parents and from the alumni or grandparents. Thats how they hit budgets.

True - but at least it is your choice. I have no choice when "donating" nearly 4,000 every year to the NEISD.