March 31, 2008
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Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for a special election called by the Lawrence school district.
Voters will be asked to give the school board the authority to increase its Local Option Budget. Administrators expect that if the 1-percent increase in the LOB passes, board members will have $1.7 million to $1.8 million in new unrestricted funding to spend on staff salaries and, possibly, to funnel to other programs. Among those programs is WRAP, which places Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center clinical social workers in some schools.
Those opposed to the LOB increase have said the election is poorly timed, considering the economy's situation, and they fear, in particular, that senior citizens who live on fixed incomes will be hit hardest by a property tax increase.
If the election is successful, board members say, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay about $13.80 additional each year in property taxes - or $1.15 a month.
This special election will cost the district about $45,000.
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31 March 2008
at 12:27 p.m.
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misseve (Anonymous) says…
So wait, its going to cost $45K to have this election? Isnt that money wasted that COULD have been used on teachers salaries? I know its not much but wouldn't they rather spend what they have instead of begging for more money? Thats what most people do… Work with the money they have on hand that is.
31 March 2008
at 2:46 p.m.
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toefungus (Anonymous) says…
Vote no. Make the school board do some useful work.
31 March 2008
at 3:15 p.m.
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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
Vote NO, NO, NO.
31 March 2008
at 4:18 p.m.
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KsTwister (Anonymous) says…
They made it “special” so not as many would find out about it. Shameless. As I found three people unaware this week, they will be voting “no” tomorrow with many others. I expect a paper trail on the voting machines too.
31 March 2008
at 6:21 p.m.
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misseve (Anonymous) says…
board members will have $1.7 million to $1.8 million in new unrestricted funding to spend on staff salaries and, possibly, to funnel to other programs* That statement alone makes me upset at the prospect that things will not be taken care of and they will be begging for more money next year. The way I am understanding this homeowners will be funding this LOB. I am not a homeowner but i have children in Lawrence Public Schools. On top of the fees that parents pay for the kids, how else is funding for the kids without raping those who owns houses here? I am also upset that they are saying possibly funneling it to other programs. WTF? I am with everyone on the vote no. I am sick of the newsletters from Broken Arrow with all the LOB propaganda that regurgitates what the newspaper is saying.what was that saying, Vote early, vote often, vote no and tell your friends to vote no….
31 March 2008
at 7:48 p.m.
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KsTwister (Anonymous) says…
That is what they want the school population to buy into the hype that they need more funds to channel into projects while their teachers will continue to be underpaid. The teachers should be the ones out picketing the no vote and make their salaries separate then you will see where the support truly is.
31 March 2008
at 9:31 p.m.
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LogicMan (Anonymous) says…
Please get out, along with your friends and family, and all vote NO to this economy-dampening tax increase.That $45,000 would have bought quite a few supplies for the teachers. Too bad it was wasted on this.
31 March 2008
at 9:43 p.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
Why have we not seen the ballot question before going to the poll? What if it is worded in such a way that “no” means “yes” and vice versa?JW, Quick, please, publish the ballot question!
31 March 2008
at 10:30 p.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
I'm taking my reading glasses and my flashlight to the poll tomorrow and, after a thorough review of the ballot, will choose to vote no or yes, depending on which answer will assure that I disapprove the additional taxing power the school district requestsjw, publish the question tomorrow so people can read it before they vote!!!
1 April 2008
at 12:14 a.m.
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kcwarpony (Anonymous) says…
This is what USD 497 has on their website… April 1, 2008 School ElectionBallot Question:”Shall the Board of Education of Lawrence Unified School District No. 497, Douglas County, Kansas, be authorized to increase its local option budget by an additional 1% authority, from 30% to 31%, of its state financial aid and be continuously and permanently authorized to adopt a local option budget, for 2008-09 school year and for each school year thereafter, in an amount not to exceed 31% of the amount of state financial aid determined for the current school year, for the purpose of using the additional local option budget authority for student instruction and support services?”To vote in favor, mark an X after the word “YES”To vote against, mark an X after the word “NO.”http://www.usd497.org/documents/LOBQandA.pdf