To: Johnc

The taxes continue to go up because the School Board does not ask for detailed justification for the budgets presented by the Administration and the Administration continues to present new budgets based on what they had in the budget the year before.  While the School Board has more closely examined the budget requests the past 2 years, resulting in smaller than normal increases, they still do not require justifications that other large organizations require during budget preparations.

Additionally, the School Board approved a new 4 year teacher union contract last year that provides for large automatic salary increases every year without any performance requirements, along with benefits which far exceed what people receive in the private sector.  The salaries and benefits in the School District make up about 67% of the total budget, so any increases in salary and benefits results in significant budget pressures.  Salary increases for the teachers will average 5% next year during a time when many people will receive no salary increases or are worried about losing their jobs.  The School Board was irresponsible in approving this contract and as a result, the taxpayers will now be forced to pay more and the schools will feel more and more budget pressures in other areas.