Halloween is a fun time for kids, and I love hearing all about what they are going to dress up as. Just today, a student jumped out of his car and yelled across the parking lot to me "Mrs. Johnson, my sister and I are going to be the Incredibles for Halloween!" Super awesome buddy! As adults, sometimes we get Tricked more than we get Treats, so let me tell you all: there is a trick on the horizon that I think you should know about. It's called "State Question 801". Our wonderfully capable Governor (blah) added a bill to the ballot in Nov. back when nobody was looking. However, it's really important for us to be educated voters, and I can assure you, Oklahoma educators were watching. We have not forgotten the walkout and so, let me tell you about State Question 801.
State Question 801, as written will give the local school districts the ability to freely spend certain money from property taxes. Our current system, is very specific and direct, so to the untrained eye, this sounds like an amazing idea. We trust our local school districts, so let them decide what is needed!
Well, it's just not that simple. Here is my lesson on school finance in a nutshell (Don't worry, I won't make you do that semester long spreadsheet that took hours of my life away as I had to calculate the school finance equations...by hand...with a crazy teammate that HAD to get the right answer...every time...that's right, you know who you are! #sorrynotsorry #loveyoumeanit):
There are 2 buckets of money that schools use to operate: "the local money", and "the other money" as I like to call it. In our state, the "local" money is a portion of property tax and it pays primarily for the "place" to hold school and the upkeep of the buildings. Maintenance, air conditioners, etc. all come out of the "local" money. The "other" money, is all the rest of the money it takes to run a school, and it is proportioned out from all sorts of revenue streams, which in the state of OK means mostly: State and Federal dollars. These monies are used for the stuff needed to educate: curriculum, teachers, classroom supplies, etc. This money is split up to the districts based on how many and what type of students they educate, as well as how much local money they bring in in property taxes.
What State Question 801 will do, is take away any restrictions on the local funds and allow school districts to use the money as they see fit.
Pretend I had two kids (the OK legislators and the local school districts) that went trick or treating. Both got a certain amount of candy in each bucket and brought it home. Then, someone says "hey, you can take candy out of any bucket you want!". The kids would be super happy right?? Of course. But here's the deal: once the candy is gone in a bucket, there isn't anymore until the next Halloween. Moving restrictions off of the local money means that districts would be strapped as soon as that money runs out. So, if they decide to use that money to hire more teachers, and the building roof decides to collapse, there's no money to fix it until the local property taxes are gathered again. AND what if one kid doesn't have to go trick or treating anymore? If they decide not to go trick or treating, then they can fill their bucket with other things, like sand, or water...or bouncy balls. Who knows? and as Oklahomans have discovered, our OK legislators love to fill their buckets with things other than education costs.
State Question 801, as written will give the local school districts the ability to freely spend certain money from property taxes. Our current system, is very specific and direct, so to the untrained eye, this sounds like an amazing idea. We trust our local school districts, so let them decide what is needed!
Well, it's just not that simple. Here is my lesson on school finance in a nutshell (Don't worry, I won't make you do that semester long spreadsheet that took hours of my life away as I had to calculate the school finance equations...by hand...with a crazy teammate that HAD to get the right answer...every time...that's right, you know who you are! #sorrynotsorry #loveyoumeanit):
There are 2 buckets of money that schools use to operate: "the local money", and "the other money" as I like to call it. In our state, the "local" money is a portion of property tax and it pays primarily for the "place" to hold school and the upkeep of the buildings. Maintenance, air conditioners, etc. all come out of the "local" money. The "other" money, is all the rest of the money it takes to run a school, and it is proportioned out from all sorts of revenue streams, which in the state of OK means mostly: State and Federal dollars. These monies are used for the stuff needed to educate: curriculum, teachers, classroom supplies, etc. This money is split up to the districts based on how many and what type of students they educate, as well as how much local money they bring in in property taxes. What State Question 801 will do, is take away any restrictions on the local funds and allow school districts to use the money as they see fit.
Pretend I had two kids (the OK legislators and the local school districts) that went trick or treating. Both got a certain amount of candy in each bucket and brought it home. Then, someone says "hey, you can take candy out of any bucket you want!". The kids would be super happy right?? Of course. But here's the deal: once the candy is gone in a bucket, there isn't anymore until the next Halloween. Moving restrictions off of the local money means that districts would be strapped as soon as that money runs out. So, if they decide to use that money to hire more teachers, and the building roof decides to collapse, there's no money to fix it until the local property taxes are gathered again. AND what if one kid doesn't have to go trick or treating anymore? If they decide not to go trick or treating, then they can fill their bucket with other things, like sand, or water...or bouncy balls. Who knows? and as Oklahomans have discovered, our OK legislators love to fill their buckets with things other than education costs.
The jist: make sure when you vote, you are sure what you are voting for because after all, not all candy is good for you, even when its wrapped in a nice colorful package...
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