Hello Cleveland,
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been busy visiting school districts that have tax levies on the ballot next month. I couldn’t hit every single one, because there are so many. But their stories are similar. Their costs are increasing while their money is not. In fact, they’re losing money because of the housing crisis. Property values are declining so homeowners are paying lower taxes to the school districts. In Brooklyn, ten businesses have also asked to be revalued and if their taxes are reduced, Brooklyn Schools may end up reimbursing $500,000 in taxes they’ve already collected. It’s a real mess. Schools like Euclid with football powerhouses are threatening to cut athletic programs. Pay to play may not be an option in schools where families can’t afford the hundreds of dollars it would cost. One school I visited has already silenced the band. Their uniforms and instruments are in a closet collecting dust. I can’t imagine my high school years without band. I still do some of our dance steps. (In private, of course!) Every Wednesday through October, I’ll bring you these levy stories on Live on Five and News Channel 5 at 6. Hope you’ll watch.
Debora
