To the editor:
I'm an Indian Creek Local School District resident, homeowner and taxpayer. I just received my tax bill. I understand a re-evaluation of Jefferson County. My school tax amount is five and six times the amount of county, township, municipal and special taxes I pay. On the pie chart enclosed with the bill, it appears that 60 percent of all taxes goes to school funding -- 60 percent.
Do the people in this district and all of the districts in Ohio know that a coalition representing dozens of school districts (Indian Creek and the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School locally) are suing Ohio to stop and eliminate parents from receiving and benefiting from the Ed Choice Vouchers in Ohio program?
I believe anyone should be able to voice an opinion about an issue; I, however, they should pay any legal and other expenses to support their causes themselves. This coalition, Vouchers Hurt Ohio, seeks funding from public school districts to pay legal fees and overhead for suing the state to eliminate voucher choice.
The Indian Creek and JVS boards are listed on their websites as a supporter of their efforts. These could mean that these local school boards are possibly spending our tax dollars to support a lawsuit that could limit educational opportunities for your family and millions of Ohioans. We must have a say in how our tax dollars are spent, especially without our knowledge or support.
I want to know if the superintendents of these schools support this issue, and, if so, where is the money coming from to do so. If teachers support it, let them pay for it out of their union dues. Did our superintendents collude with other local school districts which are supporting this issue, with Barnesville, Bellaire, the Belmont-Harrison Vocational, Bridgeport and St. Clairsville-Richland boards? Not hearing about this issue, it seems to me that some districts are clandestinely pursuing the issue. People in those districts must become aware of what might be surreptitious action by elected officials.
Families sending their children to private, parochial schools pay tuition to those schools and property taxes. These families should not have to pay district school taxes. They are paying for services they are receiving. The money saved should follow the child.
Indian Creek's next board meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday at Indian Creek Middle School. If you disapprove of how the school district is using our taxes to support something you oppose -- come let your voice be heard.
Patricia Morgan
Wintersville