Patty Thibeault: Before voting ‘yes’ on school tax cap, voters should read it

To The Daily Sun,

I have a bad habit. When I get to the questions at the bottom of the ballot, I usually just vote yes. The wording is confusing, and I figure "they" know what they're doing.

Not this time. Take heed.

This November, because of House Bill 1300, every school district in New Hampshire will have the same tax cap question on its ballot. Supporters say it gives taxpayers a direct say over school property tax growth. But in New Hampshire we already have that right, and here in Laconia we already have a tax cap, chosen for our own needs.

If 60% of voters say yes, this one-size-fits-all tax cap will be in place for the next two school years. There is no way to undo it. It's one formula for every district in the state.

What's next? Will Concord hand every family the same household budget, whether they have six kids or live alone?

I was a teacher all my life. I taught in Portsmouth and in Manchester and here in Laconia. No one can tell me Laconia's schools have the same needs as Portsmouth, Tilton or Hanover. That's why we have local government, and why we trust our budgets to our own elected leaders.

Any community can already choose its own tax cap, or choose not to have one. So why is the state putting one on every ballot? Nobody cares more about quality education than the parents of our schoolchildren. And nothing makes or breaks a home sale more than quality schools.

Vote no on the school tax cap question, and tell Concord to keep its hands off Laconia’s schools.

Patty Thibeault

Laconia