My pastor is fond of saying, “Show me how you spend your money, and I’ll tell you what you love.” For a long time, I didn’t exactly believe him, but the more I searched myself, and watched others, the more I found he was correct. Where you are willing to put dollars tells others what you think is important. Writing the levy stories the past few weeks has brought that to mind. I will be voting for parts of the ROCORI school board referendum to pass. It will cost my husband and I money (more than we’d like, since we at present own two homes in Cold Spring – anybody looking to buy a house?) and we do not have children or grandchildren in school there. It is a small way of saying that we believe education is important to our future, as well as to the future of the children in the district. Typing the articles about the levies here, I was surprised that Kimball is in the first percentile of funding for their children. That means that 99 percent of school districts fund more than do Kimball taxpayers. I can’t help but wonder when I see those statistics, what kind of message that sends to those students old enough to read this hand-out. Does it say “we have no reason to spend dollars on your education,” or “we do not value an education for you?” If you are not willing to pay what 99 percent of other parents are paying, what message do you send to those thinking about where their children should attend school? ROCORI (before the tragic shootings that still affect the school) was one of the largest selling points when perspective buyers looked at property in the area. Every real estate agent will tell you that people looking to buy, with children, want to know about the school district. But even more important, the media and word of mouth get the message out that a school district is under-funded, and before people even begin to look, they rule out certain areas. Given the same option, would you send your child to an under-funded district that has had to cut their budget and programs four years in a row, or one that has not only the nice buildings, but the money to offer the programs that students need to prepare them for college and the world after graduation? This levy will cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $7.25 a month. Geez, what can you get for $7.25 a month – nothing that will truly have an impact on the future like this levy could. This is approximately a quarter a day. You can’t purchase a candy bar for a quarter. You could, however, give an elective science to a student who may, in turn, find the cure for one of today’s deadly diseases. Maybe your quarter a day is educating a student who will one day lead our state government and decide to fund education more equitably. You never know what just 25 cents a day can do, until you give it. Put your money where your heart is. I hope it’s with the future – educating our students. ***** Tidbit: In its entire lifetime, the average worker bee produces 1/12th teaspoon of honey.
