Ray-Pec Citizens Opposed To Higher Taxes

We are concerned citizens who feel:

• Tough economic times are the wrong time to increase taxes 
• The school tax increase is not necessary.
  
• Just like you and I, the district should live within it means.
  
• The district has shown poor stewardship of our money and spending priorities.
  
• The district has not been completely transparent about their needs or spending.
  
• The district needs to focus more on basics of education.
  
  

The District Says Funds Will Be Used For:

1. Teachers and support staff - maintain quality staffing
   
   
   
2. Maintain desirable classroom sizes
   
   
   
3. Classroom supplies and materials
   
   
   
   
4. Operational expenses (such as transportation, utilities, support staff, purchased services, etc.)

What Does That Mean?

1. Salary Expenditures Increasing by 4.1% & Retirement Funding Increase of 13.8% 
   (Source: 09-10 Budget- Operating Expenditures by Object)
   
   
2. Budgeted Decrease of 113 children from prior year - what is there to "maintain"?
   
   
3. Budgeted Supplies have decreased by over $400,000 - why is more money needed when costs are going down?
   
   
4. From 08 to 09:  Transportation up $23,000, Support Staff up $25,000, Student Services down $78,000, Other Purchased Services (Current Budget vs last year) down $873,000.....so how much are "Operational Expenses & etc" going up?