I am writing to you about the article “After 30 years, District 153 asks for permanent funding rate increase” published online on Sept. 14, 2022. I applaud you naming the taxes that many residents believe help fund our wonderful schools as inaccurate assumptions. I, like many residents, thought that by “shopping local” I was helping the schools. As you pointed out, this is not the case.
The funding for our schools comes from state support and local property taxes – not sales tax. Your article clearly articulated the reason our district needs this referendum to pass and why the current status of running a deficit budget is not sustainable – leading to the district asking residents to fix the issue for the next 20 to 30 years as they did in 1992.
My family and I moved here a decade ago for two reasons: the diversity of the community and the schools. And if pressed, I will admit that selfishly I saw this outstanding community as a great location to not just raise a family but as an opportunity to purchase a home that I knew would increase in value because of its draw of having schools that offer so much more than many in the surrounding areas. We have not only benefited from the education District 153 has provided but have seen our investment in our home almost double over those 10 years.
I encourage all residents to think of your investment – be that your home or the investment in having a well-educated next generation – and vote YES on Nov. 8. We have a unique opportunity to make a difference for the next 20 to 30 years; setting up the current and future residents of District 153 for continued success.
Sincerely,
Mike Dickover
Homewood
Member of Citizens for Homewood Schools