Stephen Conkling: Vote ‘yes’ on Question 2 regarding property tax caps

To The Daily Sun,

Regarding the property tax cap Question 2, every year, Town Meetings are faced with the reality that the teacher unions and related persons can, and do, vote themselves additional, some might say excessive, budgets. With no restraint and often poor relative results. Ever increasing non-teaching positions per student often account for much of the increases, compounding the voting block control. Or out of control. Local school board membership is also vulnerable to the same dynamic.

The national average current expenditure per pupil is $17,619 (Census Bureau) with the New Hampshire average being about $23,000. Inter-Lakes is 50% higher.

According to the recent mailer, the proposed statewide tax cap is opposed by the National Education Association. What a surprise. It also states that it will force funding cuts ― not true, only limiting future increases. There is no other way to dial back the self-interested crew in control of a school district. Vote yes.

Stephen Conkling

Meredith