Dear NL Taxpayers,

I live in a school district which is far from rich with very poor educational resources and results. Now the administration wants to get rid of one of the elementary schools and move the students into the other buildings on the central campus, which requires taking out bonds, renovations and raising taxpayers taxes by 3.5% every year for the next 20 years, which doesn’t include yearly increases so this would be in addition. All said and done this project will cost about $114 million dollars.

The Admins apparently had a survey somewhere, which the majority of residents never saw. They are trying to do this in secrecy. I found out about it by accident and I have started a firestorm, and people, many who DON’T have students in the school are enraged.

Many folks are retired and living on social security and may have to sell their homes if this occurs. We have no business base, the second highest subsidized housing in the county and the second highest millage in the county (if this goes through we will have the highest Millage). We need tax reform and we need someone to step in and stop these financially draining actions. Our enrollment has been decreasing for the last 8 years but our Taxes have increased to the point of being unwarranted.

Our school ranks low in our state so instead of wanting to take on this project they should be more focused on educating the students as a priority. I thank you for your time and hope to receive a response. Time is of the essence as they will try to push this through in the May budget. They are having a meeting on April 28, because community members have started to awaken and call them out.

Sincerely,

Lauren Ganser

Washington Township