School Taxes

[Kacie_bride]

Do you think you should have to pay school taxes even if you don't have kids in school?

[MOB Karen]

Yes, I don't have any kids in school, but who do you think paid for me and my children to go to school? :bbmrgreen:

[WebLady]

DH and I had a talk about this the other day. Personally I wish I could have a say in where my tax dollars went so that I could see more of a benefit from it.

[Kacie_bride]

I think so. I went to a rural school. Sure we got money from the state, but we still lacked a lot. When I got to college I did not even know how to work a microscope because we could only afford one per lab. The teacher set it up. We also didn't have many choices for advanced classes that could help in college preparation. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like if only people with children in school had to pay the tax.

There are not many businesses to tax in our district either. There is a couple of gas stations, a little beauty shop, a feed store, and couple of cafes.

[ladymelissa]

That is a good poll! I will vote yes. The kids are the future of the country, whether they are my kids or not. So it is up to society to make sure the kids have what they need. School levies and such should still be topics that are voted on in elections, so that everyone can weigh the issues and let the majority rule.

[countrygirl]

Yes, I think that it is one of the few things that tax dollars pay for that are actually needed. Half the taxes out there are for rediculous things. At least w this, it's going to a much needed resource.

[AngelinLove]

I feel that everyone should have to pay taxes for schools. Even if you dod not have kids in school, you might one day, and even if you already sent your kids to private school or are never going to have any, whatever....it is just a part of life. That would be like me saying that I shouldn't have to pay taxes for teh roads, becuase I don't own a car or drive, etc. I feel that everyone benefits from taxes being paid for public education, because most of your military, police, firefighters, teachers, etc. come from public education...and they assist me just as much as they assist the mother of 8 that lives around the block.

[LaceyinPgh]

Yes, everyone needs to pay a school tax. (And higher ones than you are paying now because I want a raise.) Regardless if you do or do not have children in school you still benefit from kids being in school. You use their services as adults, you see th elower crime rates, you get to enjoy your later morning trip to the grocery store because all those little heathens are locked away in classrooms. It is a fully win win situation.

[ladymelissa]

That would be like me saying that I shouldn't have to pay taxes for teh roads, becuase I don't own a car or drive, etc.

Great analogy!

[MOB Karen]

Your taxes paid for me, my children, and my grandbaby to go to school. I am more than happy to pay for the children that are going to school now. :)

[WebLady]

... The kids are the future of the country ... it is up to society to make sure the kids have what they need ...
I will probably get blasted for this but ... Sure kids may be the future of our country, but why should I be responsible for them? Sure we all benefit in some ways when kids grow up with a good education, but it should not be my responsibility to make sure they get it. The people that choose to have children (now or later in life) should be the ones to be responsible and make sure they have what they need.

If I was given a say in where my tax dollars went, I'd probably give some to the local schools and such, but I would also want to give to things that matter to me and affect my life. Like local parks, maintain the roads, pay the police more, etc ...

[LaceyinPgh]

I will probably get blasted for this but ... Sure kids may be the future of our country, but why should I be responsible for them? The people that choice to have children should be the ones to be responsible and make sure they have what they need.

If I was given a say in where my tax dollars went, I'd probably give some to the local schools and such, but I would also want to give to things that matter to me and affect my life. Like local parks, maintain the roads, pay the police more, etc ...

You have really bad allergies, right? You see a doctor for that? You take medication for it? Roxy was just sick, right? Did you take her to the vet? All of those people who help and who developed and manufactured those drugs did it because they went to school. Most of them probably went to public schools that tax dollars paid for. If you eleiminated the public school taxes, no one would continue to pay in the quantites that they do now hence you would see a collapse of public education and only the elite would be able to read and write again.

[AngelinLove]

You have really bad allergies, right? You see a doctor for that? You take medication for it? Roxy was just sick, right? Did you take her to the vet? All of those people who help and who developed and manufactured those drugs did it because they went to school. Most of them probably went to public schools that tax dollars paid for. If you eleiminated the public school taxes, no one would continue to pay in the quantites that they do now hence you would see a collapse of public education and only the elite would be able to read and write again.

Thank you Lacey...I couldn't have said it better myself!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I will probably get blasted for this but ... Sure kids may be the future of our country, but why should I be responsible for them? The people that choice to have children should be the ones to be responsible and make sure they have what they need.

If I was given a say in where my tax dollars went, I'd probably give some to the local schools and such, but I would also want to give to things that matter to me and affect my life. Like local parks, maintain the roads, pay the police more, etc ...

If only people with children would have been subject to school taxes then I probably would have not had any education worth talking about at all. Our school struggled as it was. I graduated in 2000. By 2000 Microsoft Office was out there I believe. Our school did not have the program. When I got to college I had no idea how to prepare a power point. I couldn't work a microscope. Until my sophomore year we did not even have an air conditioned gym. What would it have been like if only people who had children in school had to pay taxes?

[WebLady]

You have really bad allergies, right? You see a doctor for that? You take medication for it? Roxy was just sick, right? Did you take her to the vet? All of those people who help and who developed and manufactured those drugs did it because they went to school. Most of them probably went to public schools that tax dollars paid for. If you eleiminated the public school taxes, no one would continue to pay in the quantites that they do now hence you would see a collapse of public education and only the elite would be able to read and write again.

Sure we all benefit in some ways when kids grow up with a good education, they might grow up to be a better member and more useful member of society, and I am all for that. But I just don't think it should be my responsibility to make sure other peoples kids get a good education.

I am not saying we should eliminate public schools, I just don't think I should have to pay the same taxes if my life is not the same. Now this issue will likely never change so there really isn't anything I can do about it, but I am still entitled to disagree with it.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lacey I think you are too close to this issue because you are a teacher. And those of you that have and/or want kids are too close because of that IMO.

Melissa doesn't want kids and she is all for paying for the education of other peoples' kids and that is her right.

I just respectfully disagree with all of you :p ;)

[ladymelissa]

I would be afraid that if we all didn't help the effects on our country could be detrimental. Schools never seem to have enough money as it is, I don't know how much of that is hype to get the next levy passed, but teachers are paid pretty low compared to other professions.

Also, if only the people with kids in schools had to pay the tax, how many possibly irresponsible parents who have more kids than they can really afford and aren't the brightest lights in the harbor to begin with, would home "school" their kids just to avoid the tax? The children suffer and the overall intelligence of the country would suffer tremendously. I am a huge liberal who doesn't even want kids, but this seems very necessary for the benefit of everyone and our future.

[MOB Karen]

Sure we all benefit in some ways when kids grow up with a good education, they might grow up to be a better member and more useful member of society, and I am all for that. But I just don't think it should be my responsibility to make sure other peoples kids get a good education.

I am not saying we should eliminate public schools, I just don't think I should have to pay the same taxes if my life is not the same. Now this issue will likely never change so there really isn't anything I can do about it, but I am still entitled to disagree with it.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lacey I think you are too close to this issue because you are a teacher. And those of you that have and/or want kids are too close because of that IMO.

Melissa doesn't want kids and she is all for paying for the education of other peoples' kids and that is her right.

I just respectfully disagree with all of you :p ;)

Did you go to public school, Brandi?

[WebLady]

... how many possibly irresponsible parents who have more kids than they can really afford and aren't the brightest lights in the harbor to begin with
IMO this is a whole other issue all together ;)

Did you go to public school, Brandi?
Yes, my parents had kids and they paid taxes. This is beside the point of my argument ;)

I don't know, like I said I doubt the system on this will ever change and if it did, there would have to be others change to support it. But I still don't like the idea of having to be responsible for other peoples kids on any level.

It looks like I'm in the minority here (I wonder who is the other person who voted No) so I will just bow out ... I still love you all :D

[countrygirl]

You have really bad allergies, right? You see a doctor for that? You take medication for it? Roxy was just sick, right? Did you take her to the vet? All of those people who help and who developed and manufactured those drugs did it because they went to school. Most of them probably went to public schools that tax dollars paid for. If you eleiminated the public school taxes, no one would continue to pay in the quantites that they do now hence you would see a collapse of public education and only the elite would be able to read and write again.

I agree with you Lacey. I feel that parents have the responsibility to make sure that thier children are well educated. Me personally,like many many other middle class parents, will not be able to afford to send my kids to college. I have no problem giving money to local schools to better the education tht they recieve from public schools.

We have become a society that is so heartset on taking care of third world children, so why is it so hard to help take care of the ones in our community?

[mariaandmanish]

Everyone should pay school taxes, whether they have children or not, for the simple reason that we were all once children and the school's were there for us. Also, because if you're planning on children, you should support it for other's the way you would want it supported for yours. JMO!:D

[countrygirl]

Sure we all benefit in some ways when kids grow up with a good education, they might grow up to be a better member and more useful member of society, and I am all for that. But I just don't think it should be my responsibility to make sure other peoples kids get a good education.

I am not saying we should eliminate public schools, I just don't think I should have to pay the same taxes if my life is not the same. Now this issue will likely never change so there really isn't anything I can do about it, but I am still entitled to disagree with it.

Don't take this the wrong way, but Lacey I think you are too close to this issue because you are a teacher. And those of you that have and/or want kids are too close because of that IMO.

Melissa doesn't want kids and she is all for paying for the education of other peoples' kids and that is her right.

I just respectfully disagree with all of you :p ;)

If we didn't all pay for public schooling, then it wouln't be public schools. It would only be the parents paying,thus becoming private schooling, prices would get jacked up, and we would be back to separating the rich kids from the poor because they can't afford school.

And no offense Brandi, but of course parents or parents to be are going to be 'too close'. Most of our kids are in public schools because we can't affor private schools.

[countrygirl]

I would be afraid that if we all didn't help the effects on our country could be detrimental. Schools never seem to have enough money as it is, I don't know how much of that is hype to get the next levy passed, but teachers are paid pretty low compared to other professions.

Also, if only the people with kids in schools had to pay the tax, how many possibly irresponsible parents who have more kids than they can really afford and aren't the brightest lights in the harbor to begin with, would home "school" their kids just to avoid the tax? The children suffer and the overall intelligence of the country would suffer tremendously. I am a huge liberal who doesn't even want kids, but this seems very necessary for the benefit of everyone and our future.

From a mother of a child in public schooling, thank you Melissa.

[ladymelissa]

From a mother of a child in public schooling, thank you Melissa.

You are very welcome, but my reasons are somewhat selfish as well. I am a big fan of intelligence. I think with knowledge comes rational thinking and hopefully leads to a more peaceful, productive world. I also want to see humanity constantly challenging our limitations and learning. Making advancements in all areas like science, medicine and literature and eventually being able to have a global impact. If nothing else we need to make sure our children and country are continuously able to compete in the global arena. My only hope is that our tax dollars are being used well.

[countrygirl]

You are very welcome, but my reasons are somewhat selfish as well. I am a big fan of intelligence. I think with knowledge comes rational thinking and hopefully leads to a more peaceful, productive world. I also want to see humanity constantly challenging our limitations and learning. Making advancements in all areas like science, medicine and literature and eventually being able to have a global impact. If nothing else we need to make sure our children and country are continuously able to compete in the global arena. My only hope is that our tax dollars are being used well.

I think your reasons are very reasonable, and I agree with you 110%. If our tax dollars don't assist kids in school, then we lose that chance of becoming a more advanced world. I hope that Brandi didn't think we were attacking her personally. She hasn't been back on. I personally just feel that while it may not be fair to pay for another person's child, it also isnt fair to allow that child to go w/out a decent education becuase their parents can't afford it.

[CarlosHoney]

I think so too. I think that the public should have more of a say where the dax dollars go.. I.E. Less money spent on anti-drug commercials, more money spent paying teachers.

[WebLady]

You are very welcome, but my reasons are somewhat selfish as well. I am a big fan of intelligence. I think with knowledge comes rational thinking and hopefully leads to a more peaceful, productive world. I also want to see humanity constantly challenging our limitations and learning. Making advancements in all areas like science, medicine and literature and eventually being able to have a global impact. If nothing else we need to make sure our children and country are continuously able to compete in the global arena. My only hope is that our tax dollars are being used well.
Well I said I was gonna bow out, but I just want to say that I agree here.

But I think it is part of being a parent to see to it that your child is educated and put them on the right path to become a well rounded member of society. However, just because a child gets an education doesn't mean they are going to be a Doctor or a Scientist or have any profound impact on society.

Like I said before, if we were given the option to choose where some of our tax dollars went, I would probably still give some to the local schools. But the argument that it should up to society to make sure the kids have what they need just doesn't sit well with me. I don't want kids and I don't want to have to be responsible for the well being of someone else's either.

Besides that there is a vast majority of people with kids over those without so even in the unlikely event that the tax system ever changed to give us a choice, I don't think things would be too terribly different.

Now how our tax dollars are used in general is another debatable issue all together.

[CindySue]

Ok.....I voted no, but thats based on this area. I hate paying out as much as we do on 3 houses just so the football team can buy new uniforms every year and buy their own charter bus, while the school bus for the kids to ride back and forth to school are in shambles. Every single academic part of this school district suffers. My children had to pay a lab fee for science here, at their other school it was covered in the budget. They have to buy their workbooks for math and English.........hello? when did those stop being supplied?
Im all for supporting the schools when the money is going where it should. Here its not and EVERYONE knows this. Im paying taxes and my kids still suffer.

[countrygirl]

Ok.....I voted no, but thats based on this area. I hate paying out as much as we do on 3 houses just so the football team can buy new uniforms every year and buy their own charter bus, while the school bus for the kids to ride back and forth to school are in shambles. Every single academic part of this school district suffers. My children had to pay a lab fee for science here, at their other school it was covered in the budget. They have to buy their workbooks for math and English.........hello? when did those stop being supplied?
Im all for supporting the schools when the money is going where it should. Here its not and EVERYONE knows this. Im paying taxes and my kids still suffer.

I totally see your point CIndy. We have to buy the supplies for the class rooms as the district doesnt. I just dont believe that the tax money should be taken from the school. Maybe it just needs to be redirected.

[CindySue]

I totally see your point CIndy. We have to buy the supplies for the class rooms as the district doesnt. I just dont believe that the tax money should be taken from the school. Maybe it just needs to be redirected.
Im all for regulating the school budget. Im not against sports, my son plays football, but I think more money need to make it back to the classrooms.

[countrygirl]

Im all for regulating the school budget. Im not against sports, my son plays football, but I think more money need to make it back to the classrooms.

Yes it does. Out here, some of the teachers have to purchase thier own things like letter/number banners, or educational tools becuase the district just doesn't have the money.

[AllyM1]

Well I am a little bitter because the area I live in and would like to purchase a home in, the people have passed 4 school levy's in the past 5 years making the property taxes go up so high, that I cannot afford to buy a house that I desperately want.

I just don't think schools use their money wisely. Now I can't speak for all schools, but I just see that around here.

Now if I could say that I would like my money for the schools to go to the inner city schools instead of the suburb school where the median income for a family is $120,000 in my town, then I would be all for that.

There are schools that don't need the money as bad as others yet they get more. I see that as unfair.

[CindySue]

Yes it does. Out here, some of the teachers have to purchase thier own things like letter/number banners, or educational tools becuase the district just doesn't have the money.
We get a lot of that too. The teachers have to pay out of pocket for teaching tools that should be supplied to them.

[MOB Karen]

We get a lot of that too. The teachers have to pay out of pocket for teaching tools that should be supplied to them.

You have to admire teachers that are willing to pay for supplies out of their own pockets, in order to be able to teach our children more successfully!!! Those are the kind of teachers that really care, and are having a profound effect on our children's future!!!

[LaceyinPgh]

If you all knew how much money I am given every year to run my classroom you would be shocked. But let's just say that it doesn't come close to covering to the costs that I put into my materials every year. I get more than most people since I am in the gifted program. So I can't imagine what a regular ed teacher does when they have to buy supplemental books, maps, arts and crafts materials (we do NOT do the arts in crafts thing in my room.), classroom enhancements, videos, computer programs, and office supplies. It is insane.

[rainbowtreat]

While I also beleive we all should pay shcool taxes regardless if we have kids or not I am with cindy when I say it has to go to the right place. In my school if you played a sport you had to pay for the uniform. You had to buy the kleets or sneakers that you needed. It was not all just handed over to you. Our schools were not the best. As it stands right now the middle school is not even able to be used. ( this is in my home town ) The middle school grades have been moved to the high shcool. We got the books we needed from the school. If we needed notebooks or something yes we had to get those but that was the norm.

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I say yes... I interned in a school in my district and I was shocked at what teachers had to pay out of pocket. I know that my district is more fortunate than the ones nearby, but its still bad. I feel every bit helps!

[mariaandmanish]

I just recently stopped working in the Bronx, NYC. I was a gen ed classroom teacher, and got a small stipend every year to help pay for the materials that I bought out of pocket. However, I spent at least 3 times that every year, and for me, only some of that is tax deductible. It's not fun, but it's a part of teaching, especially in inner city schools, if you want the children to succeed.