To the editor:

“It makes me sick to think about it,” says Scott Henderson of the school board’s intent to raise property taxes. “We’re ruining downtown,” says Larry Billings, another tax critic. Allow me to place these anti-tax sentiments into perspective.

State funding of public schools lagged far behind inflation for over 10 years. Meanwhile, new mandates further taxed the already overburdened school system. With greater obligations but fewer dollars, our school board closed schools, cut programs and increased fees – with resulting public outcry. Just weeks ago, headlines reported of parents denouncing school enrollment fees. But our school board is not to blame.

Our Legislature once again fails to properly fund public schools, choosing instead to increase local tax options. Thus, the Legislature dodges responsibility and forces local boards to adequately fund public schools. Sure, the property tax seems high – it taxes only property owners rather than spreading the tax burden among all Kansans. But our schools need the money, one way or another. I commend our board for working to provide the best schools and attract the best teachers.

Mr. Henderson complains of taxes on his $190,000 house. If one can afford a house three times their annual salary, then Mr. Henderson’s house is twice the home a 10-year veteran Lawrence teacher could purchase. Mr. Billings’ property assets are large enough that his tax alone equals the entire annual salary of many teachers, yet he complains of financial hardship. It makes me sick to think about it.

David Reber,

Lawrence