Editor, Commonwealth:
Last Tuesday night, I attended the public hearing on the 7 percent property tax increase proposed by the Leflore County School District. I was both saddened and impressed by the daunting task that has been undertaken by Conservator, Robert Strebeck, Business Manager Shelia Freeman and CPA Susan Smith. They were clear and concise in their presentation of facts, figures and the issues they are facing.
I was also impressed by some very smart people in attendance. They understood the issues at hand and came prepared to refute the proposed increase with excellent arguments. The discussion was lively and straight to the point.
I am not so interested in giving all the facts and figures disclosed in the hearing as I feel the Commonwealth covered the basics well enough. What struck me were the issues within the school system that led to the decision to raise our taxes again.
There was a 7 percent tax increase last year, and the people attending the hearing felt it would happen again next year unless measures were put in place to return individual accountability by the teachers, support staff, parents and students. I do recall one man who spoke up in willingness to pay higher taxes to help the students in this school system who work hard and want to succeed. He felt they should not be punished because of the poor performance and absence of others. My heart hears what he was saying, but I fear more money is not enough.
As stated in the Commonwealth, the loss of some 213 students, as well as teachers and support staff that use up all of their personal leave, all of their sick leave and still don’t show up for work, is what has facilitated the loss of more than $900,000. Absenteeism by teachers has continued despite a state-mandated pay raise in 2014. That is a lot of money, especially in this poorer area of the country.
What is the cause of such apathy and lack of motivation by students, the lack of dedication and accountability by many teachers and support staff, and the lack of desire by parents for their children to succeed? I’m certain there’s not a “one size fits all” answer. However, I do believe the problem goes beyond Leflore County and is systemic throughout our nation.
In the last six to 10 years, changes have taken place that are tearing apart the fabric that held America together. Hopelessness is on the rise, self-fulfillment is the order of the day, personal decency and accountability are seen as character flaws, and love for our fellow man is diminishing at a rapid pace. If that’s not enough, a once-proud and exceptional nation is being reduced to 15 minutes of fame and selfies. I heard it said recently that freedom brings about its own downfall. Where it once meant personal responsibility, the ability to choose for yourself your life’s vocation and direction, and contributing to the greater good, has now become a more-imploded, self-serving freedom.
Today, the government is making it easier to get on welfare than to find a job. The divide between the rich and poor is ever-expanding. Elected officials make decisions that secure their positions in office and increase their personal wealth, all the while ensuring that half of our people will never have hope of much beyond what the government gives them. Anger follows loss of hope, and we grasp at straws. Apathy then sets in.
Who do we blame for this? Usually, it’s who’s in charge. “We the people” are supposed to be, but I would say it’s Washington, and we’re allowing it.
Sherry Stallings
Greenwood
