The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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November 6, 2009

Your View: It's time to stop the school referendum cycle

Cory Hackett, North Mankato

Why do we keep giving schools more money? Money that nobody has? Money that will be printed, or borrowed from other countries?

We need to realize we are not a wealthy nation anymore. We spend a trillion more dollars a year than we bring in. We are bankrupt.

Can families keep borrowing and borrowing just so they can keep living the lifestyle we’ve become accustomed to? For a while maybe, but eventually the bill comes due. Families have to live within their means and it’s time schools start doing the same.

The blank checks have to stop. Of course they say, “It’s for the kids, we can’t cut programs!” The best thing we can do, “for the kids”, is to teach them fiscal responsibility. Maybe “the kids” don’t want to be buried in debt. In the end, the communities that raise taxes to support inefficient schools are going to start losing residents, leading to decreased tax revenue. The schools then propose another referendum instead of cutting back spending and the cycle continues. Eventually, it comes to an end, the community stops voting yes, and the school can’t support itself. The bill has come due. The cycle needs to stop and there’s no better time than now. We need to start planning for the future instead of seeking instant gratification. Will it be hard? Will it be painful? Yes, in the short run, but in the long term everyone will be better off. Start saying no — and do it “for the kids.”

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