I am concerned with the Centralia School District’s lack of basic management oversight of the budget and the lack of knowledge exhibited by the leadership. The math required for budgeting is not difficult. When the state gives the district a $3 million increase in funds, they should not have increased spending by $6 million.
Now they think their poor math and lack of management will be bailed out by taxpayers and renters who are being asked to shoulder a 66 percent, $1.50 per $1,000 property value increase in the operating school levy. It’s another taxpayer bailout.
I have no faith that they have learned anything or that they have a plan for correcting the poor decisions made last year. I will not vote for an increased levy and will encourage everyone I know to do the same. I believe the only way to get back on track is to hold their feet to the fire. Maybe if this levy is rejected, they can try again in April after they have a plan to more sensibly budget the millions in new state funds without gouging taxpayers.
Tom Duffy
Centralia
