To the editor:

As voters in South-Western City Schools consider the August levy issue, a few facts should be known.

Of the 16 public school districts in Franklin County, 13 spentÊmore thanÊSWCS did per pupilÊin 2007-08 and 14 had higher tax rates than SWCS in 2009.

Hilliard residents' property tax rate is 40.62 mills, Columbus' rate is 35.98 mills and SWCS' rate is 27.56.

Columbus Public Schools spend $4,633 more per pupil than SWCS.Ê Hilliard spends $632 more per pupil than SWCS.

Based on these facts, is SWCS wasting taxpayers' money?Ê

SWCS has one of the three lowest tax rates in Franklin County.ÊThe cost of the temporary four-year August levy is $21 a monthÊfor a Ê$100,000 property.Ê

Ê

Lou Houston

Grove City

To the editor:

The South-Western Alternative to Taxes bandwagon is an interesting creation.

The name and vocal nature of the group suggests their members have come up with truly insightful methods to address the judicially declared unconstitutional system of school funding in the state of Ohio .

However, the group's approach seems to be nothing more than a letter-writing, number-tossing, fear-mongering campaign aim-ed at pitting citizens against teachers and angering low and fixed-income, elderly and educationally narrow-minded folks rather than presenting the "alternative methods" they claim to espouse.

Hiding behind a fancy name with no proven track record, no advocacy plan or public lobbying points may make you appear bold, but stating that the district should approach unions to lower employee compensation, retirement and insurance benefits is not an alternative.

It's irresponsible, ridiculous and lazy.

You can do better than continually spewing about the evil, overpaid teachers and spoiled children in this district.

Education doesn't need more criticism and soapbox propaganda

Education needs intelligent activists to develop a complete systematic funding overhaul at the state level in order to eliminate the necessity of raising the taxes of those who can't afford to pay.

Beth Morrow

Grove City

To the editor:

Is it any surprise that South-Western City Schools unanimously approved putting the levy back on the ballot in August?

SWCS needs to come up with new ideas, rather than always relying on property owners to come up with more money for the schools.

We have passed levies before and it's never enough.

We have been badgered over and over on this levy, as they try to wear us down. They've already tried it twice, and now they're going for one in August.

I don't think the levy failed because the supporters didn't get out and vote. I think the people are tired of being taxed over and over again.

I don't see why the taxpayers should have to keep going without things we need just because the school system can and will continue to abuse their right and continue to put levies on the ballot.

They need to be stopped now.

Terry Thompson

Grove City

To the editor:

In a recent newspaper article and letter to the editor Terry Jones stated repeatedly and in no uncertain terms that the three educational associations that represent South-Western City Schools employees have made "no sacrifices" to help ease the district's financial situation.

He states that "the educational associations need to step up and make some real concessions, not that ridiculous one-year wage freeze" and "missing out on a salary increase for one year "just doesn't cut it."Ê

Apparently Mr. Jones has forgotten about the four positions cut in 2005 saving the district $259,000 or the 259 positions cut in 2006 saving the district $12,984,000 or the 16 additional positions cut in 2006 saving the district $1,026,000 or the most recent 76 positions saving the district $3,005,000.

Evidently sacrificing 355 jobs saving the district $17,274,000 in addition to the "ridiculous one-year wage freeze" worth a paltry $2-million more are not "real concessions" to Mr. Jones.

Ê

Jeffrey Wilson

Grove CityÊ

To the editor:

I have been reading that it looks like the Reynoldsburg school board is taking a common-sense approach to solving their problems since the defeat of their levy, unlike the South-Western City Schools board that only knows blackmail and "it's my way or no way."

Maybe they should take a ride on Interstate 270 east and seeÊif they can learn something.

I would like to knowÊhow much does SWCS spend on band and sports that the boosters don't cover?

Phil Shiretta

Grove City