Dear Editor,

With summer upon us, families are preparing to break away and enjoy some quality time doing things that are important to them. If you were the Brandon School Board, now might also be a great time to “educate” the public on your financial needs. The public might be too busy to notice your unilateral decision on what to do with the vacant building called Belle Ann that the taxpayers recently generously renovated. They might not correlate that multi-million wasted expense for renovation in 2008 on a building that’s now vacant with the fact that you are asking for an additional two million today. They might not realize your suggestion of a “public forum” to seek citizens’ input on the district’s financial duress has been brought up AFTER your spot for the sinking fund vote has been secured on the August ballot. They might not notice how you refused to move the vote on the sinking fund to an election date expected to draw more voters. The answer is simple: more educated voters at the polls decreases their odds of passing the two million dollar sinking fund.

Don’t ignore their high pressure sales tactic that screams “we need this money or else.” Don’t ignore the fact that they have made large financial decisions for the students and community that may have already committed us to future student body decline. Don’t ignore the fact that they continue to want the all-you-can-eat buffet while those of us that actually have a budget and need to apply for a loan are probably dining a-la-carte. The board is not above us and our priorities matter. We are paying one of the highest school millages in the state and have every right to a say in how our tax dollars are spent.

Tonia Maxson