Letter to the Editor: 'Why I'm Voting No on E-SPLOST'

"The choice of E-SPLOST v. property tax as a source of school funding is rather like being given the choice between getting robbed at gun-point, or having your house broken into during the middle of the night. It’s really not much of a choice and the outcome is the same. 

Once passed, E-SPLOST is law and provides the school board with an uncontested source of tax payer funding. So why is a property tax the lesser of two evils? An increase to property tax for the purpose of funding schools must be voted on by an elected school board. Elected representatives are held accountable to the voters. As such, they can be tossed out if they do not act in accordance with the will of the people.

Furthermore, when presented the option, I cannot, by my own hand vote to affirm, legitimize and fund a public education system that is failing. 

• As of 2011, Georgia ranks 10th in educational spending, but 48th in SAT scores. Therefore, a lack of spending is not the issue. 

As you can see, Georgians are spending money on education; plenty of it.  But the return on investment is lousy.  If I were an investor, I would take my money elsewhere.  Sure, we can choose to move another state, one that provides a greater educational ROI, and some people do.  But this is my state, my money, my children and my problem. And one thing is clear to me, a lack of spending is not the problem and continued or increased spending will not solve the problem."

Sincerely,

Jake Lilley

Roswell