Yet such standards would encourage teachers to spend more time teaching basic skills thoroughly, instead of being tempted to manipulate the students under their care to support the narrow political agenda of a teachers union. The supervisors will indeed raise taxes this month. Next year they will do it again, because the usual suspects will insist that we aren't spending enough money, and that's why our schools are not improving. The year after that, they will do it again, by a hefty percentage, so that in 2003, an election year, they won't have to raise taxes. Any tax hike without independent measurement of its impact that can guide the community's decisions in future years is dishonest on its face and a fraud on the taxpayer.
Warren County deserves better.
The public hearing on the proposed budget for 2000-2001 held Thursday night was a defining moment in the history of Warren County Public Education. As a resident, taxpayer, parent, and teacher in Warren County, it became the most proud moment of my 18 years in this community. The Board of Supervisors now knows what the will of the people is and what must be done. I implore the Board to respond to the passion and will of the people, and to appropriate additional funding for the school budget. Finally, I wish to salute and thank the people of Warren County for their public support of the school system and for making me so proud to say that I live and work in Warren County.