At Lakota and hundreds of other school districts all over Ohio school levies are on the fall ballot, and many people will find themselves torn between how they should vote. The trouble with teachers and public education in general is that most voters know at least one person close to them who works for the industry. Like any dedicated friend or loved one, it is typical to put blinders onto the reality of public education so not to betray those cherished members of our lives. This has allowed the radical elements of the teaching profession to capture the message of statism and sell it as value to the communities from which they behave as raw parasites. 
Because of the paralysis in judgment typical toward the teaching profession this has allowed complete falsehoods to be introduced into common language and social acceptance about public schools necessitating continuous higher taxes to substantiate levy requests. Newspaper reporters, television newscasts, and neighbor to neighbor discussions about public schools tend to always focus on the same union bullet points without ever exploring the harsh realities. Typically employees of such schools who speak in defense of their industry will say things like:
- “Due to lack of money things are not well.” “Of course there is waste and bad teachers, but they are the exception and not the norm, our children need our support.”
- “If the schools are not supported, the community we are so proud of will end up in deterioration.”
- “Because of the failed levies morale is low. The excellent teachers and administrators are jumping ship.”
- “With the latest cuts, elementary kids get one class of gym or music or art once a week on a rotating basis. They used to get each one once a week.”
Such comments go on to infinity from there with the commentators never contemplating openly the causes. There is a willingness to take the cause and effects of public education at the presented value allowing the radicals of government schools to get away with crimes of extortion driven by anti-trust violations. So often the reason is because most people have somebody close to them who works in the business and nobody wants to hurt the feelings of those people. This is how the crimes are committed, crimes of open looting of the public treasury for the solitary purpose of plunder by the state for the goal of statism. The truth about school levies and higher taxes are easy to see for those with the courage to see them. It has been proven that the best thing a community can do to maintain a healthy district is to vote down higher taxes, not cave into the emotional arguments provided by the employees of public education. (CLICK HERE for more detailed explanations) The reason is that higher taxes destroy property investment, the higher the taxes, the less investment into business and residences.
In my community of Lakota the result of a harsh economy is quite evident. On the surface of course everything looks nice, there are well-kept homes, the roads are paved well, there are lots of consumer options, the schools are rated well—everything appears to be in order—and in relation to other places in America it is. But if the façade is pulled back just a bit the reality can be seen for what it truly is. The pictures shown here are from Zillow and display with red markers property that is for sale. In the Lakota district there are quite a lot of homes for sale, some of which is normal. Some of it is driven by occupational changes, and changes to household income. But a lot of it is driven by taxes that are just simply too high. The more alarming indicator shown in the included pictures are those marked in blue. These are homes that are being foreclosed upon—meaning their owners could not keep up with their mortgage payments.
When first checking, it would be assumed that there would be a few of these, but the actual number is quite shocking. As shown, there are a lot of homeowners who have been barely hanging on through tough economic times who are finding themselves going through the disgrace of losing their properties to circumstance. Because I have made myself a spokesman against higher taxes, pro tax advocates see me as being in the way of their goals, and get very angry with me. This causes them to send all kinds of useful information out of anger. One such note was from a typical levy cheerleader who has placed their own personal neurosis into the care of their children out of guilt for a series of other mistakes they’ve made in their life. CLICK HERE TO REVIEW. That particular person said to me, “I pay $5400/year in taxes. How much do you pay? $2800? If you don’t want to live in an affluent community with good schools, then move!” What they were clearly attempting to do was make me feel like they had the upper hand because they pay a higher tax on a home that is over 300K in value. The thinking is flawed because what they miss is that many of the people suffering foreclosures are people in the most affluent neighborhoods in the Lakota district–their neighbors. Seen in the picture here, several foreclosures are occurring in the Four Bridges community and there are a few that are in the $1.1 million dollar range in other neighborhoods. Because Lakota is on a downward trend with enrollment as only well-to-do families can afford to live in such an affluent district, there are fewer children to attend the schools, leaving many homeowners regulated to selling off their homes to move to areas of the country where taxes are not such a burden. The only people who want to pay large taxes are the type of neurotic parents like that letter writer who are using the public schools to mask their deepest insecurities about their parenting ability. Once that same type of parent has children leaving the public school they will typically pack up and move to some other district in the United States to carry out their social psychosis—their innate desire to be busy-bodies.
The cost of allowing people like that to run a community into the ground uncontested is the unseen result of these Zillow pictures—too many people selling homes by choice flee the high taxes, or are forced out of their homes because they can’t keep up with the payment. The frightening aspect is what is not shown on Zillow are the many thousands of homeowners who are just barely hanging on, where one more increase in taxes will either push them into the red indications, or worse yet—the blue. When Lakota cheerleads the value that a school has on the community, they are speaking union bullet points that mean nothing. The value of a community is in its ability to make people want to live there. A school only attracts one kind of investor, people like the spoiled brat letter writer indicated above. Those types come and go within a ten year span during their children’s upbringing. They are not long term investors in a community unlike people such as myself who lived here before many of them were even born and will still be here long after they’ve bought up Florida condos and put those same children through college as empty-nesters. The way to ruin a community is to lure too many neurotic parents to a community to pay for homes they otherwise couldn’t afford if not for a strategic FHA loan from the government, or purchased with a variable interest rate that drive up their monthly payment quicker than the tax impositions of the public school. Or fools who think paying $5400 a year in taxes gives them emotional leverage in an argument. In discussions with their neighbors upon hearing such things nobody would reveal that they are struggling to pay their taxes, so they silently allow themselves to be foreclosed upon becoming one of the unfortunate blue indications on Zillow. Not wanting to admit failure to their friends, family, and neighbors who utter such half-baked endorsements of public education monopolies, they quietly purchase lottery tickets hoping for a winner right up to the last day when the bank comes to reclaim their property for default. Then and only then do they move and disappear from the earth and away from circles of Jabba the Hutt like socialites who think paying $5400 in personal property taxes is “good” for a community. Zillow has the truth. 
Being polite will not save a community from the destruction of parasites who think public education under the current funding model and anti-trust operation is sustainable. But silence will destroy it, the kind of silence seen on these Zillow pictures. Most people living near the blue indications have no idea that their neighbors are struggling because nobody takes the time to really get to know each other. One week everything looks fine from the outside, the neighbor is mowing their lawn, wearing an Ohio State t-shirt while doing some minor landscaping, and the children are playing outside. Nothing seems amiss. Then the next week there is a bank owned paper stuck to the garage and the family is nowhere to be seen. The home is empty overnight and an uncomfortable sensation engulfs the entire neighborhood as though a death just took place. 
In a lot of ways one did, a bit of the life that makes up a community died—the hopes and dreams of property ownership that was robbed from them by changes in finance. Among those changes are the difficulties in keeping up with their taxes among all the other concerns they have in their lives. Paying $3000 to $6000 a year in taxes just to send a bunch of spoiled brat kids raised by neurotic parents to a free education starts to wear on the mind when it is realized that having that money for personal needs is much greater. Upon that realization, homes go up for sale or are lost because the admission that such properties cannot be afforded comes too late in the game. Luckily for the Lakota district the residents have managed to fight off the corrosive public school since 2005. It can only be imagined how many new blue indications will show up on Zillow if Lakota manages to raise taxes the way they desire. But one thing is for sure, it will be a big number, and that is not conducive to a thriving community. The value of a school district does not come from the school, the teachers, or the buildings themselves, but from the people who invest their money, and are motivated to continue due to financial incentive. Higher taxes are not an incentive, they are detriments—ones that have a direct relationship to the blue indications on Zillow.
Rich Hoffman
Give yourself the gift of ADVENTURE. CLICK HERE!
The Overmanwarrior 
I enjoyed seeing my old house on your schematic .
I remember when that person said that to you–what a moron!! I was embarassed that I was stupid enough to own a house that was 1/2 the price of the one I had in NY but the taxes were just as high. But, not surprising given the source—what a sad lesson his kids are probably learning–to scorn at others for not spending their money so foolishly.
I still remember the irony of all the levy zombie in my neighborhood, fighting for the levy, all of them running around in tennis outfits all day, while their husbands were on the road doing their best to keep it all afloat.
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Thus, the theme for my famous Enquirer article. I had good sources. : )
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Keep killing them with facts.
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Isn’t it fun. : ) I can’t wait to hear the refute……………………crickets.
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“Voo Doo” Economics” That was and is an apt phrase for the continual taxation process that is destroying this country. The working people are taxed by every level of government and each level is grabbing more and more of their income. We are all becoming the “working poor.” We have fewer and fewer dollars to spend for our basic necessities.
I have a friend that built his home with his own hands. In 2001 his property taxes were around $4000.00.
Today his taxes are around $14,000.00. That means he has to earn $17,000.00 just to pay his property taxes. Of course the remainder of that $17,000.00 pays other taxes. Most of that $14,000.00 goes for school taxes.
This August Lebanon pulled off a sneeky special election. They campaigned (violating ORC 3315.07) using the school resources in various ways. For example all parents were sent emails asking them to pick up campaign signs at a school. (This expensive email system was to be used only for emergencies and contact with the parents regarding report cards etc.)
Teachers and principals called parents and school personel on election day making sure they voted. With less than 10% of registered voters casting a ballot, the levy passed.
Now the district is working to pass two more levy issues in November. The campaign is going to be violating the same laws as before. They get away with this because people are stupid. I’m so sorry to have to say that, but you have to call them stupid when they know the truth, they know they are being lied to, but they still believe the lies.
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When you have to have a job just to pay taxes, that is when you are in real trouble. The job is not for your own benefit. You may sit on your porch every day and read books and not use any of the government services. You may have a basement full of artillery and have no need for the military, you just sit on 100 acres and mind your own business. People like your friend are chained to the idiots of government through taxation because the masses, the hoards of democracy decided they wanted 17K of his earning potential every year. Very sad and pathetic.
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Hi Rich (and others potentially reading this)… I love the use of infographics in explaining complex issues, which this one certainly is. Just getting it out there that yes, my wife is a teacher, but not in Lakota. We own a home in the district where we live with our young son. I work in the private sector, and she obviously in the public sector.
I completely agree with your points on accountability and fiscal prudence, which is why we were very diligent when we were searching for a home 4.5 years ago. Yes, taxes did come into that equation as when we were determining what mortgage payment (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) we could make. But, more critical was the quality of home (based on what we wanted to spend, and not what the bank wanted to lend), accessibility to interstates, amenities in the community, schools, distances to family, etc. This area ended up winning in all of those categories. Once we selected the community, we worked with our bank in a very diligent manner to disclose that we would be capable of paying for our mortgage. This was after the period when banks were issuing mortgages to anyone with a pulse. The home we purchased may have ended up on this map, if we hadn’t purchased it. While I would say there are numerous homes that were lost by good, hard-working people, there were other homes that people should have never been living in. I think you could say it’s a fair assessment that those homes are represented on these maps, as well. Even if they had $0 in property taxes, they would never have been able to pay their mortgages. This is the personal accountability that I think was lost in this piece. If our taxes go up and thus our monthly payments go up, we did not put ourselves in a situation where our presence in our home will be threatened. I think this is a trend that many in my generation (Millennial) have begun to follow, as it was in our grandparent’s generation (and forced upon us with tighter lending restrictions).
I think there was a bigger issue with a me, me, me mentality and people thought they were entitled to something they did not earn. Yes, I work and pay taxes, so I think I should have certain things, but I am also part of larger societal structure. Being as such, it such it comes with certain responsibilities.
With the current median list price of homes in West Chester (according to Zillow this afternoon) is $209,900. This would indicate a monthly mortgage payment of $1,033 (based on a 30 year fixed loan with 20% down at 4.25%). If we add in another $328/month for taxes (going off of my taxes though my house is a little more) plus $67/month for homeowners insurance, we would have a total Mortgage (PTI) of $1,428/month. A prudent bank would say that this amount couldn’t be over 35% of gross income, which means a total monthly income of $4,079 or a salary of $48,948. The point of this being that this homeowner would owe an additional $403/annually ($192 per $100,000), based on what I read in the press release of the levy. This would be 0.8% of this individual’s income or $1.10 per day. Now, come September 1st, the Ohio Sales Tax is going to be increased 0.25%, which is being a trumpeted as a way to balance our states budget, as they lower the income tax. The problem is though, I am going to be paying more now with the lower income tax, as the Federal Government is going to think I made more since I don’t have as much Ohio income tax to deduct from my Federal tax return. But, in actuality I’m dolling out more to causes or things that do not have an impact on me as citizen of the state (and it’s going to be more than $1.10/day) through the increased sales tax.
Now, don’t get me wrong, as I like the idea of a broader national sales tax versus the Federal Income tax (one replacing the other). I think this goes back to our friend’s problem of having to work to pay taxes. How brilliant would it be if you just don’t want to consume anything, you don’t have to pay any taxes (unlikely, but still a great thought). I don’t have an issue paying for something that I see as tangible, or potentially could get a benefit from (my additional $1.10/day meaning computers in schools, maintenance of great facilities, reading specialists due to the new mandate that every child will read at grade level by 3rd grade). What I have an issue with is paying for thing or services that I will not see a benefit from in any way (Medicare and Social Security). While many people say they have done enough and don’t want to do anymore, which is why we shouldn’t pass a new levy. Couldn’t we say the same with Medicare/Medicaid, as I mean isn’t health care in this country good enough with all the calls to repeal Obamacare? I have done enough and it’s good enough. Obviously school levies are easy, as they are local and all politics are local, right? Well, I think there are bigger fundamental issues afoot that should be addressed.
As a member of society, I do believe in the Golden Rule and was taught that God helps those that help themselves. So, I would want someone to help me if I was down on my luck and out of a job on no part of my own. But, I would also be doing my darnedest to make sure that was the last resort. While I commend your group’s efforts to make sure the kids could cover their sports fees, I do not think playing lacrosse or football is anywhere on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I’m sure that $10,000 would have been better served as a donation to Reach Out Lakota, which was probably a resource for many of the families you showed on the map. I understand the “scholarship,” or however it was termed, was done to demonstrate a point, but I am not sure it was the right point. I think there are a lot facade’s people in our community put on, but I’m not sure it’s because they can’t afford an additional $1.10/day. I know my cellphone, cable, internet, etc. cost more than that per day (but, hey I work and deserve those). But, if it came down to paying my real estate taxes or having Fioptics, I think you know which way I would go. Unfortunately, people feel they are entitled to those things versus school children being entitled to access to computers and physical security for their schools. I think back to the people that built this country, and the great things they did. Sadly, I don’t think many things they did would be accomplished today (We orbited the planet a few times, that’s good enough).
I guess I look forward to your future posts, and hearing what your agenda is or what you think our community’s priorities should be, as I do not think anyone is doing that right now. I mean we can’t even get a matching funds grant approved in either Liberty or West Chester Twp, as the trustees are afraid it is going to add to the national debt (when one F-35 fighter plane is estimated to cost $161 million <– It is kind of cool though).
Best regards,
AJ
p.s. Let me know if I rambled too much, or want a source for anything, as I can't stand unsubstantiated statements.
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You can ramble all you want. Most people in the local media and at the school read this site even if they don’t want to admit it. Just a few days after I put this article out the West Chester Buzz did this story.
http://westchesterbuzz.com/2013/08/27/foreclosure-home-loan-woes-drop-in-region/
Setting trends is like getting into a pool of water with everyone dipping their feet in to see how cold it is. I usually jump right in and shortly after, everyone else gets in. That’s the same kind of deal as these school levy issues. A lot of people think the way you do, but they are way too shy about their thoughts. They read here, but are afraid to make any comments that might get traced back to them. Nobody wants the levy addicts in their front yard tearing down their mail boxes, or egging their home, so they pay the school trolls and look the other way.
I welcome comments, especially like the ones you put up, well thought out and articulate. I agree that the 10K deal could have been spent a million more ways, and really our group was terribly divided over it. I went along with it for my own strategic reasons, but it made me SICK to see the school ripping off families over sports fees, and the scholarship deal did not solve the problem. It just poured more money at the extortion process.
Its nice to hear from you. Your comment made me feel like there are people out there who are worth the effort. Thanks.
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Thanks, Rich, as I really appreciate that. I cannot stand forum trolls (or people whom make drive-by postings), or anything of the like so I have no issue with anyone knowing who I am or what I stand for. I think that is why people have issue with our so-called leaders, as no one knows really what they stand for. That’s why I would never say anything on here, which I would say in person. My background is corporate finance, so I am used to substantiating everything I do or say with facts and figures, so the same would go for here. I know I won’t agree with everything you say (how could I as I don’t agree with everything my wife says 🙂 ), but I am always looking for a well thought out position, and I think you provide that. I see you’re on Twitter as well, and I look forward to following (@ajmcinci).
Cheers!
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Cheers
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My point was that he had to earn at least $17,000.00 just to pay his taxes. I am sure his income is much more thant that. $17,000.00 is the baseline number to cover his property taxes. Amalott seems to be doing just fine with his current income. Will he be safe if he or his life become unemployed or become ill?
The problem with the schools having the ability to put levies constantly on the ballot is that the process costs the taxpayers plenty. Just the time spent on administrators and union members conjuring up ways to get these levies passed costs time and money. We pay them to educate the children not work for the largest union in the nation. A union that spends more money than any other entity on promoting candidates who do “owe” them. New building and lots of technology isn’t what inspires students. The United States spends more and gets the least return on the dollars that are spent on education. Waste is rampant and that is a fact.
Arizona has implemented one-of-a-kind education savings accounts. The parents can shop around for the school that suits their child and pay the tuition out of their ESA. The amazing thing is that the students are happier, getting a better education and the parents are able to save one-third of their childs ESA funds in a college fund. Choice is the answer. Costs will go down, the union will lose power, competent teacher might be happier in schools where the union doesn’t reign. It sure is working in Arizona.
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Hi Sassypatriot… The issue with the need for the technology is not needing to inspire students, but it has been the drive to hold teachers more accountable. The state has mandated that in the next few years that all testing for state required tests has to be conducted online. On top of the state mandated tests, there are separate computerized tests that the kids have to take (at least at my wife’s district) to measure her effectiveness (I can tell you she’s great, but I digress). To meet this mandate, schools need to have the technology in place, and are not receiving additional funds from the state to meet this requirement. I agree that computers don’t inspire students, that great teachers do; but they are another tool students need to be proficient in to be competitive in the 21st century economy. As for new buildings, that is not an issue, but in other districts it is. When it 87 degrees in her classroom today (I can email the picture of her thermostat), its difficult to get kids do a lot. Yes, I know many people didn’t have A/C in school (I didn’t at times and that was only like 12 years ago), but if the same conditions were in a prison, it would be seen as cruel and unusual punishment (http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/08/24/2747605/death-row-air-conditioning-rare.html). It’s unfortunate that it would almost take litigation to get AC, if they cannot get new buildings. We even offered to pay for the unit, the installation (using a district approved electrician) and the monthly kW charges, and it was not permitted since every teacher couldn’t do the same. While not necessary, it would provide a more comfortable setting for my wife to teach and her students to learn.
I would have to read more about the Arizona model, as I am not familiar. I agree that choices are good, as I went to a parochial grade school and high school (which I had to work to help pay for). I am not sure how the current Ohio model aligns with Arizona, but we have charter schools on both sides of the spectrum, like DECA (an excellent institution) in Dayton and the Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy (administrators indicted for stealing $148,000). My wife and I would be fortunate enough to send our son to a parochial school, if we would like. But, if he needed the services of a public district, we like having that choice as well.
My wife’s district had a levy, and I know she and her colleagues didn’t spend an ounce of work hours, whether during the working hours or the evening (as she was busy teaching, grading, lesson planning, acquiring materials, etc). Just because her district had a levy on the ballot doesn’t mean her job changes or that she doesn’t need to teach. If you have concerns about this, school employees’ emails are public record, which means community members could review at any time. As the existence of the union itself, it is what it is. I have always worked in private sector jobs at levels that would not have involved a union, so there use to me does not seem relevant in 2013, but I digress.
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There must be competition! Monopolies are frowned down upon in the private sector, and for the same reason, they should not be allowed in government.
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I agree… I majored in economics and finance, so a firm proponent of the market system. This is why I find it disappoint when the City of Cincinnati wants to get out of the parking business, so many people seem so attached to it. It’s not the strongest that survive, but the most willing to adapt, and I think the market supports this.
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I think you are right about market adaptability. A fixation on the old financial models will not sustain the future, which should be obvious by now.
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