[NYLIER]

Every taxpayer has a right to be angry when they see how homeowners have been raped by the education system in VT. It does need to be changed. One way to solve some of the tax problem would be for the VT legislator to impose a renters tax. Anyone that has a child in school should pay school taxes. That would take the burden off the homeowners, especially the ones that don't have children utilizing the school system. Voters should not be allowed to vote on a budget that affects everyone elses pockets but their own. Maybe the answer is to take the school taxes right out of everyones paycheck.

[flu189]

Even the Burlington Free Press is now editorializing on the issue of runaway school spending, acknowledging that it is out of control and out of touch with current reality. Mind you, this from a media outlet which usually tries to ignore or shift focus from such issues instead trying to promote a let the good times roll mentality. Burlington, the city, is an interesting case now since last year the budget went up 10% and now they want an additional 9%. All this after also attempting to float a $250 million bond last year. The cost per pupil is slated to rise even over the $14 k per/year they now spend. I did read how apparently their student base has risen which conflicts with the statewide stats, but then I also read the actual increase amounted to six students. I can't verify the accuracy of the numbers or claims at the moment, but if the past is any indicator, there is quite a bit of wool being pulled over eyes. When you factor in the actual population and taxpayer base of Burlington city it becomes alarming to fathom how in the world they will be able to pay for all this.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

Flu, I think you are very angry your taxes are so high and go to fund schools. I realize the system is flawed but unless someone can come up with another idea, I suppose all they can do is tax people to pay for school/services. I see your frustration and do understand it.

Until a majority stand up and demand change and demand to know where this money is going to, despite reduced enrollment, the old system is going to stay in place.

Things change very slowly in VT, as you know.

Half the reason we left NY (Long Island) was that even if we EVER could afford a house again (we had one for a few years in the mid 1990s), the taxes are crushing and increase every year. The justification was always the 'school budget.' If people voted down the budgets, services like buses were cut. Or they cut out sports. People became frustrated with lack of buses for their kids (it's far too dangerous to walk there) and could not stand the idea of sports being cut so they would hold a re-vote and the budgets would pass.

It really became kind of a joke. (bad joke). When you found out the administration was stealing (various corruption cases came to light) from the school districts it became sickening.

It's best that VTers get frustrated about ever increasing school taxes now before they get out of control like they have on LI. Most of the budgets on LI are top heavy in administrative salaries, benefits, etc. It's not 'for the children' but 'for lining staff pockets.'

One LI school district cut the sports program a few years back when their budget was voted down. The boosters, residents, students and the public helped raise the $500,000 necessary to keep the sports programs. This was insane!

One thing I see is that LI districts have more commercial properties to receive school taxes from to help offset the costs. MY district is more residential and as a result, we pay more. (OUCH) Another problem for LI is that what we send to Albany does not get filtered back down to us; we end up subsidizing the big 5 cities. We get back much less than we send up north.

I look at the receiver and sender district set up in VT and reckon it is only a matter of time before VT's school taxes take the meteoric rise that LI's have. Yes, VTers should be getting very active in their school budgets and voting down without fear of retribution to 'the children.' Years of passing school budgets have given LI teachers who earn over $100K! Yes, my son's K teacher was earning that. Kindergarten!!!! It won't be long before it happens in VT.

Please be diligent when reading school budgets and have your voice heard when teachers unions sit down for contracts.

The LI district we're in is heavily taxed and has an excellent reputation for academics. (I fail to see, however, how a $100K Kindergarten teacher figures in, though.) It's part of the reason I remain on LI. My oldest graduates next year and is on honors track. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? That is, unless I bleed out in taxes....

ON A POSITIVE VT NOTE:
Intel Science Competition:
I am extremely proud to see the GMUHS had a semifinalist!
Green Mountain Union High Sch, Chester, VT Dexter, Joseph Paul (17)

My school taxes in Chester haven't reached Three Village levels and it is good to see that the staff and students at GHUHS aspire to bigger things. JP Dexter's achievement has landed him $1,000 as a semifinalist and the school will receive $1,000 as well to further research in the district.

KUDOS to Joseph Dexter!

[flu189]

It's a combination of frustration and anger when it comes to watching how the budgeting process evolves. I fully understand and appreciate the need to properly fund and provide for necessary and quality education and have never had an issue with that in any place I have lived. I guess having an older son who is in the system (working, not a student) here who confirms how things are run makes me ever so vocal on how we need to get control and balance. Right now so many folks are caught between a rock and a hardplace when it comes to paying bills and worrying if their employment will even last that it is absolutely arrogant that we don't insist that the education bureaucracy tighten up and focus on providing the basic necessities versus continuing to try to fund the excess when it comes to the nice to have but not essential elements of delivering public education. What especially concerns me is that it is obvious that this just can't continue and without concessions our rate of education spending will bankrupt us. The governor if nothing else does understand that our ability to continue to raise revenue through taxes is pretty well maxed out and it's high time that the legislators also acknowledge this and stop relying on wishful thinking that the money will just come from other sources. I hate to suggest this, but I think in order to shock many folks into reality the state should do away with the prebate program for both owners/renters which would then remove this phoney insulating cover of true costs.

[NYLIER]

Originally Posted by flu189

It's a combination of frustration and anger when it comes to watching how the budgeting process evolves. I fully understand and appreciate the need to properly fund and provide for necessary and quality education and have never had an issue with that in any place I have lived. I guess having an older son who is in the system (working, not a student) here who confirms how things are run makes me ever so vocal on how we need to get control and balance. Right now so many folks are caught between a rock and a hardplace when it comes to paying bills and worrying if their employment will even last that it is absolutely arrogant that we don't insist that the education bureaucracy tighten up and focus on providing the basic necessities versus continuing to try to fund the excess when it comes to the nice to have but not essential elements of delivering public education. What especially concerns me is that it is obvious that this just can't continue and without concessions our rate of education spending will bankrupt us. The governor if nothing else does understand that our ability to continue to raise revenue through taxes is pretty well maxed out and it's high time that the legislators also acknowledge this and stop relying on wishful thinking that the money will just come from other sources. I hate to suggest this, but I think in order to shock many folks into reality the state should do away with the prebate program for both owners/renters which would then remove this phoney insulating cover of true costs.

How is a renter eligible for the prebate program?

[flu189]

Originally Posted by NYLIER

[/b]
How is a renter eligible for the prebate program?

The Vermont renter rebate claim information and eligibility criteria can be found on the Vt Dept of Taxes website. It's soley based upon household income and is paid in the form of a tax credit towards your income tax. Other than this I don't know much detail as I never rented for twelve months here. There has been some shifting and tweaking of terminolgy over the years for both property owners and renters. For property owners the reduction in property tax owed is also based upon income levels. The original inception of the program was back in 1970 to provide property tax relief for seniors over age 65. It has evolved considerably, especially after the enactment of Act 60 in 1997. Age is no longer the determining factor. Up until 2006 your prebate/rebate was sent directly as a check, but now it goes to the town where you bill is lowered accordingly. The concept and benefit of the program is valuable to Vermonters to keep costs contained, but it does nothing to contain the drivers of the rising costs in the first place. There have been numerous studies and analysis done on the program which has even termed the program an "over loaded circuit breaker." On the contrary, it gives the appearance and sensation of being insulated from rising costs and budgets. So, despite having your tax bill reduced it does not mitigate the need for the revenue to come from somewhere, therefore, the rebate you may get has to made up by somebody else. The program has expanded to such a degree that it will not be sustainable in the current economy and this should be taken as a cautionary warning to those that depend on it to make ends meet that these reductions may not last. Another amazing factor I have read about is that quite a few who are eligible to get rebates do not receive them due to not understanding the mechanics and filing requirements.