Worthington, Westerville levy supporters declare victory | The ...

red rover, red rover
uninformed taxpayers bend over

And so now we wait for the next school levy. There's always a next one. Always.

The levy supporters pulled another one over the voters. Between the city of columbus income tax increase and all of the taxes that passed I am really screwed. My wages were frozen/cut, my expenses just went up $150 per month. So where is my bailout when I can't afford my bills anymore?

Wow I heard I just had to cut back on my coffee each day, or a pizza a month. Too bad I was not that stupid to do buy these things to begin with.

In addition, when did the State of Ohio become the peoples republic and that government needs to take all of my money and give it to everyone else.

I'm movin to Grove City. Them folks down thar don't need no book larnin!

My employer has already frozen wages, eliminated the 401k match, and is also eliminating pensions as well. So, I'm paying higher taxes to support a school system that gives most employees raises of 5% a year, plus funds their pensions at 20%.

One option I'm considering is, since my children will attend private school, is whether I should leave Westerville schools - where I have lived my whole life, and move to Southwestern schools. I can get a lot more home for money, plus pay far less in taxes.

Then I think, if I'm moving, why not just leave Ohio entirely? It is a dead state full of deadbeats looking for a free ride in life.

The headline should read, "Teacher's Unions Declare Victory. More Raises in the Near Future"

Love how Westerville Schools couched their levy as a "replacement" levy when the figures clearly state the tax levy will cost a homeowner $349 per $100,000 home value, WITH $244 OF THAT AMOUNT BEING....NEW!

This is such BS! How pathetic that the Teachers' Union continues to raise our taxes so they can continue to raise their salaries. How? By distortion and extortion. Who,during these dire economic times, gets annual salary increases? I will tell you---This group of elites whose salaries are paid by the tax payer. During a time when people everywhere are losing their jobs or taking drastic paycuts due to this failing economy....I guarantee you the elite teachers and school administrators will make sure that they will get their raises and keep their cushy benifits without sacrificing! Please just be honest, its not about the kids, its about how much you can get-- to pad your paychecks!

When Johnny and Susie, pawns that they are, come home from school daily repeating the horror stories from school leaders --- stories of band, art, sports and field trips being stripped away from them unless their parents vote for the levy --- it appears Mom and Dad simply cave in. Or, in some cases, these parents move into the school district specifically for Johnny's education, vote for every levy until Johnny graduates, and then move on to lower taxed pastures as originally planned, forgetting that they're pricing many "lifetime residents" right out of their homes. In either case, thanks idiots.

Yeah, come down to Southwestern Schools, our schools are not making the grade academically but by golly we got sports and marching band...oooh... real estate people ought to be thrilled, they will be ran over by the amount of people running south!

LOL at all the losers who has their wages frozen. You know why that happened? Because your work skills have no value on the open market. Your employer knows they can cut your wages and benefits because you have nowhere else to go! When something like that happens to you, its a sign that you should educate yourself to the next level. If you can't walk out the door tomorrow and get the same or better job somewhere else, then per the free market system you are overpaid for your skill level!

coercion wrote:

When Johnny and Susie, pawns that they are, come home from school daily repeating the horror stories from school leaders --- stories of band, art, sports and field trips being stripped away from them unless their parents vote for the levy --- it appears Mom and Dad simply cave in.

It almost worked in the Big Walnut SD tonight as well. The BWEA voted against any pay concessions this past spring. The teacher's unions want everyone else to sacrifice but they are not willing to do the same. Interestingly, there are many families with incomes around $50K supporting an individual teacher making $70K. Put a couple of them together and you have a $140K household.

Jane, you are wrong...it is about the kids for us. Your anger isn't wrong, but it is misplaced. I hope you pay as much attention -- and stay just as vocal -- when it comes time to contract negotiations next summer as you are right now. Voice your concerns to the school board...they are the only ones who can institute the change you seek!

whaddyaknow wrote:

LOL at all the losers who has their wages frozen. You know why that happened? Because your work skills have no value on the open market. Your employer knows they can cut your wages and benefits because you have nowhere else to go! When something like that happens to you, its a sign that you should educate yourself to the next level. If you can't walk out the door tomorrow and get the same or better job somewhere else, then per the free market system you are overpaid for your skill level!

Well, you must be simple-minded to reach a conclusion like that. Everybody is taking pay cuts, or their wages have stagnated. I am sure that you are no rocket scientist.

I find it amusing to see these posts about high salaries and benefits for teachers and administrators. All these individuals have college degrees and all administrators have Master's and more. They all have to keep going back for professional development per state requirements (usually at their expense). School personnel are usually at the bottom of any salary studies that compare various professions. If it pays so well, I wonder why we have such trouble finding science and math teachers, and why all these complainers who know so much about the lives of teachers don't become one themselves, if the job is so cushy.

Sarah72 wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, you must be simple-minded to reach a conclusion like that. Everybody is taking pay cuts, or their wages have stagnated. I am sure that you are no rocket scientist.

Probably not even employed. Got laid off by McDonald's and can't find a replacement job.

Thank goodness this levy passed. This comes from someone who truly has no skin in the game. I don't know a sole that works in the district, my only child was born last Thursday and is at least 5 years out from heading to school, and I am not from this area. I relocated to Grove City in January against the advice of my wife who lectured my about the schools and the community perception. I had been eating some serious crow until now!! Thanks to all who voted to make our community a better place!!

love to teach wrote:

I find it amusing to see these posts about high salaries and benefits for teachers and administrators. All these individuals have college degrees and all administrators have Master's and more. They all have to keep going back for professional development per state requirements (usually at their expense). School personnel are usually at the bottom of any salary studies that compare various professions. If it pays so well, I wonder why we have such trouble finding science and math teachers, and why all these complainers who know so much about the lives of teachers don't become one themselves, if the job is so cushy.

I am so sick and tired of hearing how teachers have to pay for their own professional development. Welcome to the real world. Imagine that...you have to pay out of your own pocket to better yourself. Why not pass a levy for that as well?

One last thing before I head to sleep thinking happy thoughts about my community...please put away the tired argument that teachers are overpaid. It is getting worn out. I have a degree (in education actually) and could not even consider using it because educators are so ridculously underpaid. I give kudos to teachers for what they do for such little compensation relative to the required education.

Who refers to teachers as "elites". Are you crazy?!?!...just cancel your high speed internet and you will more than offset the added cost of this levy passing!

Sure, some people are taking pay cuts and losing benefits...but you don't gut your community in response to individual misfortune.

Jane wrote:

This is such BS! How pathetic that the Teachers' Union continues to raise our taxes so they can continue to raise their salaries. How? By distortion and extortion. Who,during these dire economic times, gets annual salary increases? I will tell you---This group of elites whose salaries are paid by the tax payer. During a time when people everywhere are losing their jobs or taking drastic paycuts due to this failing economy....I guarantee you the elite teachers and school administrators will make sure that they will get their raises and keep their cushy benifits without sacrificing! Please just be honest, its not about the kids, its about how much you can get-- to pad your paychecks!

I agree with Fix School Funding Now. First the City of Columbus in August and now the City of Worthington. Plus, a pay cut from my employer. Where is my stimulus?

I think it's time to move. No, wait. I need to get a job with the Worthington school district so I can have a guaranteed job and pay raise. After all, they keep passing tax levies every two years.