Letters to the editor

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Say “yes”to Issue 15

If you value thriving and successful kids along with growing and prospering communities, this is your chance to ensure our kids and our communities continue to flourish. Say “yes” to Issue 15 on May 5.

If you are a friend of the South-Western City Schools (SWCS) then you already know the district covers 127 square miles; includes 34 buildings; serves 21,000 students; employees 2,500 personnel; and operates a $1.8 million budget. We are one of the largest districts in the state and one of the largest employers in central Ohio.

If you are a friend of the SWCS then you already know the district’s finances are an open book to the community, ran according to law and very stretched.

On building operations, we spend 18 percent of every dollar; the state average is 19.4 percent. On administration, we spend 11.3 percent; the state average is 12.3 percent. On pupil support, we spend 9.4 percent; the state average is 9.8 percent. On instruction, we spend 57.7 percent; the state average is 55.4 percent. On staff support, we spend 3.6 percent; the state average is 3.1 percent.

We are below state average in all these areas except instruction and staff support. These two areas include teachers, aides, materials, computers, books, staff trainings, and more. If you are a friend of SWCS then you already knew money is spent in the areas to best educate and prepare our children.

If you are a friend of the SWCS then you are prepared to vote for Issue 15 on May 5. Go a step forward, call and e-mail 10 friends to encourage them to do the same. We need all our friends to vote on May 5 so our kids can continue their path to a successful future.

Mindy Garverick
Grove City

Now we get the threats

The South-Western City School administration is now resorting to threats and blackmail.
They say they will do away with sports and band. They kidnap the kids to wait and see if they get the ransom money.

I say to all the homeowners, do the math. The district is asking for money every two and a half to three years. What would your property tax be in 20 years?

We have all seen what happens to institutions in this country that get too big. It is way past time large school districts redistrict to decrease size and increase manageability.
Vote “no” on all school levies.

Jack Baynes
Columbus


 

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