Seven issues with the River View building levy

I have seven serious issues regarding the Aug. 2 River View School District levy proposal for construction of a new elementary school:

•Borrowing $41 million at 4 percent interest over 38 years equates to $84 million payback to the bank.

•Accepting $9 million from state government is obligating the Coshocton taxpayer to giving up local control over the elementary schools to state government. This could include possible common core rules, school library inventory, mandated salaries for teachers, mandated tenure for teachers, mandated teacher membership in the NEA union, and mandated Davis-Bacon wages for school maintenance employees. You can say goodbye to your PTA.

•The economic health of Coshocton County is declining compared to other Ohio counties. A property tax increase of $84 million over 38 years will certainly further degrade the economic health. Higher tax rates will discourage investment in Coshocton County, resulting in fewer job opportunities for our graduating students. Fewer job opportunities will result in an exodus of our youths between the ages of 16 and 25 with them never to return to Coshocton County. Our kids and grandchildren will abandon Coshocton County. Higher taxes will also lower property values.

•A new school building will do nothing to increase the quality of education for our children. The building has little to do with the quality of the education, or the quality of the curriculum. The quality of the class room teachers will determine the quality of our children’s education. Local rule can do more for quality of education than the building.

•Postponing this tax hike for five years is a reasonable approach so as to enable a better assessment of the school district’s needs. If we jump before we’re certain of the outcome, we may experience serious, buyer’s remorse.

•Let's repair the four elementary schools as needed, then create a building fund for the future.

•Most Coshocton County taxpayers want less government in their lives, not more.

I would encourage residents to vote on on the levy during the Aug. 2 special election.

Alan Kukla

Warsaw