From the Muncie Star-Press:
Many are making their thoughts on the upcoming bus referendum known through yards signs.
But who’s policing the accuracy of the signs that will impact about 4,000 school children in 2014 and beyond?
No one.
A special election is set for Nov. 5 on a referendum that will raise $3,325,000 million to run the school buses for the 2014-15 school year.
The majority of the “yes” signs are focusing on the safety of children. The “no” signs are taking aim at the increase in property taxes. Most of the signs against the referendum simply say “Vote No,” but there are some that go into more detail.
And while some of the signs are subject to opinion, some are factually incorrect. The truth is, there is no law against putting up a sign that may not be accurate.
A sign in a front yard on North Street says “It’s not about safety. Vote No to higher taxes and MCS greed on November 5.”
While MCS officials would argue the referendum is needed because of fiscal constraints, there are certainly those who argue the monetary loss comes at the hand of high administrative salaries, spending too much per student or mismanagement of funds. Which one a person believes, obviously, is up to the sign holder.
One homemade sign can be seen on a rental property on North Street. In orange duct tape on a silver tarp, the sign urges passersby to “Vote no to 39% hike in prop. tax Nov. 5th”. The 39 percent increase in taxes is not accurate, perhaps because the sign maker has confused cents with percents.
The maximum amount that could be sought by the school board, as stated in the referendum question, would be 39 cents for every $100 of assessed property value.
The actual rate required to fund the levy in 2014 will be 22.23 cents, according to MCS officials.
One sign along Main Street says “6.5 million tax hike; 40 million in 10 years.”
The referendum, if passed, will be in effect for seven years, according to the actual question that will be on the ballot.
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http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013310220010
