To the editor:

At the Jan. 14 meeting, school board members voted to designate $2.6 million, which was left over from 2005 bond, to improve athletic fields. At the Jan. 28 meeting, the board voted to spend $45,000 to pay for an April election asking voters to approve a property tax increase. The increased property taxes could be used for teacher salaries and mental health programs. Stop and think. The school board is using taxpayer money to pay for an election asking if you want to raise property taxes. With the downturn in the economy and possible recession, better spending choices need to be made. The homeowner makes purchases based on need and affordability. Which do we need more, mental health programs or AstroTurf on ball fields? If $2,600,000 is left over, spend it wisely and don’t ask for more. Board members acknowledged that they would have to lobby voters for their support. Is the school board going to hire an outside firm to lobby voters to get the tax increased passed, as was done for the 2005 bond issue? If this sounds like I am angry, you are damn right! Enough is enough.

Scott Henderson,

Lawrence