Taxation Mis-information in School Districts?

On April 19, 2003, Jerry Fowler, Realtor, Columbia, SC, had as his guest on his regular talk show, Bill Cauthen. It was an eye-opener, to say the least. Jerry has repeatedly asked for a representative from the education department to be on his show to present the 'other' side of this paper. As yet, no one has come forward?????

Bill presented information - entitled "Richland One Performance White Paper", a copy of which can be found on this website at edu037.htm. Any parent/homeowner in Richland County who has listened to the pleas of Tennenbaum and school board members of Richland County (or any county in SC) for MORE money should read this very carefully and immediately assist in taking action against the school board. Their students are the scapegoats for out-of-control spending by an irresponsible/unaccountable school district. And this is happening all over South Carolina. Democrat Supt. Inez Tennenbaum, wants MORE tax dollars while not holding the districts accountable for the poor performance by boards and teachers.

ATG should amend that statement somewhat. The most successful government department in America is that of Education, in collusion with the National Education Association (NEA). It is obvious the members of the SC Legislature have never read any of the goals of the NEA for "reforming" our schools and "manipulating" the minds of the students. The goal of this organization has been and continues to be the dumbing down of all children from birth on. If they have read them, then their mantra "for the children" is total hyprocrisy and an unwillingness to admit the mistake in continuing to fund this farce. Instead, the citizens of SC are being dunned for more taxes - - just a few more every year "on a $100,000.00 home".

The reports that thousands of teachers will be losing their jobs due to cut backs in funding is political blackmail and nothing more. If Richland District 1 had funds to purchase land for student parking at Dreher High in secret then they had funds to pay teachers and not ask for more taxes. Are other counties doing the same? Hiding funds that are intended for teachers salaries, curricula, and maintenance? Homeowners are made to feel guilty for not wanting to support the "po' chilren" and indicted for protesting the latest round of tax hikes, while not being given the whole picture on school funds available in reserve.

The Lexington Chronicle, April 24, 2003, is full of tax increase proposals for the schools. How many PR persons, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, grounds keepers, assistants to assistants, have they cut from their budgets? Perhaps the Taj Mahal on Hwy One, Lexington, could be used for classrooms. It is certainly large and fancy enough. How many more adminstration buildings in SC school districts are larger than the schools they are now cutting back on?

Again, it is time for parents/homeowners to wake up and take action. It appears the governor has been given advice from his "task force" on education which continues to promote the same old information and support for a system badly in need of REAL accountability - before ALL the tax dollars become private property of school boards across South Carolina. Bill Cauthen as placed his phone number at the close of his 'white paper' and would like to have more citizens involved in making changes in the present school boards. "Paying more and getting less" is no longer an option.