Concerns about Tiger Vision shared

 Dear Editor:

I would like to mention a couple of things concerning the recently passed “Tiger Vision”.

First of all, the public was led to believe this “vision” would not involve property tax dollars. From the school board budget that was printed in the paper on 3/24/15,  there was a Debt Service Levy of $2.11 per thousand dollars of taxable property value ($750,000 per year). This levy is to make funds available for the “vision”. The school board intends to continue this levy for the next five years.

That doesn’t sound like very much to be concerned about. The truth is, the money already collected last year, together with what they intend to collect over the next five years, amounts to over 4.5 million dollars of property tax payers money.

Second, the budget reflects an increase in the PPEL levy from seven cents to $1.19 per thousand. This levy collects $42,909 along with the debt service levy for a total of $1,176,909 from property owners of the district every year.

Third, the public was told by the board president it would be illegal for the public to vote on “Tiger Vision”. The superintendent of schools, as well as the board of directors, knew very well that “Tiger Vision” could have been funded so the public could have a vote on such an important issue. They could put the PPEL levy up for any early vote and/or have gone for an additional bond issue. One reason for not doing this is they  may not feel they have the confidence and trust of the people who elected them.

I would like to remind the school superintendent and the school board they have an obligation to the citizens of this community, both financially and ethically to not be misleading.

Steven J. Berendes

Red Oak