Home of Today's Common Sense

Published – Brownsville Herald 4/30/2006
BISD is asking for more money, telling us that they haven’t raised the tax rate in 3 years; but they did raise it in 2003, a substantial amount in the face of home values escalating at a stellar rate.
I looked at Cameron Appraisal Notices and found that a house that was a modest residence valued at $78,060 in 2002, became really nice in 2003 valued at $93,680, and luxurious valued at $113,098 in 2004. Imagine that – increasing its value for taxation by one-half in 2 years without any change, either in improvements or in the wealth of its owner.
The tax bill increased, by $821.09 for only educational taxing authorities during that 2 year period. The owner may be modestly employed in public service. He didn’t sell his home to realize his new wealth. He may, however, have just reduced some of the frivolous expenditures, such as health and dental check ups, as his health plan only covers part of them and then only for the employed person. He may have had to ask his oldest girl to postpone going to college, because he is too wealthy for many of the benefits, and not wealthy enough to pay the tuition and fees. He works hard and actually pays income taxes but just doesn’t qualify for the goodies.

Our friend is also a religious fellow and tithes to his church, helps his neighbors and does not complain when a neighbor down the street, who has been receiving public assistance for years, buys a new pickup, that he cannot afford. According to national statistics our friend is paying more than one-half of his income in taxes over all.
The school district that employs our friend, a teacher, did provide a wage increase but quickly increased his student load and the hours of work required of him. In fact he actually lost in terms of hourly rates. Then his employer demands attendance at extracurricular activities to show school spirit!
This same public entity is asking its employees as well as everyone else who makes just enough, to pay more taxes and not enjoy any of the tax benefits they are contributing to. They do not even earn so much that they can utilize the methods to avoid them.
The educational taxing authorities, our friend is paying for are South Texas ISD – $44.33, the University of Texas at Brownsville – $148.61 and BISD $1680.18 for a total of $1,873.12. His tax bill for education in 2002 was $1277.26. This is a big jump that has been repeated thousands of times.
Enrollment at BISD during the same period only increased by approximately 7%. Taxes certainly went up much more than 7%.
BISD is currently spending $8,862 per student enrolled each year according to their Web site. Perhaps it would be more efficient to give each child a voucher and let them go to a “for-profit school of their choice.
There are privately run schools that spend less and accomplish more such as some of our Parochial Schools and Charter Schools.
I looked at the successes of our charter schools where some students for whatever reason were near expulsion from BISD went; and others who went there, went because the curriculum at BISD just didn’t keep up with their abilities. A quick visit with the folks at Eagle Academy, because it is nearby, impressed me enormously. TAKS results really demonstrated education going on, which continues to improve with the April results showing 93% success in 11th graders and 83% success for 12th graders in English. This is done at a cost of much less than $9000 per student. Even considering the smaller size, Eagle has done an excellent job and I am told that other Charter schools are doing great things as well.
My personal feeling as to why private institutions can do it cheaper, is that they must accomplish better results than their public counter parts to get students and then they must keep costs reasonable in order to stay open. This motivates a conscious effort to expend resources only when needed to realize the goal.
This is born out by only the most superficial look at the BISD Web site. Teachers only make up only 45% of all the employees at BISD and account for only slightly more than half of the expenditure. If it weren’t for the teachers there would be no reason for the rest of the people.
Not long ago a review by State examiners resulted in the “Strayhorn Report” citing waste and a higher than acceptable number of administrators. A panel of responsible community leaders was selected to review the report and make recommendations. The panel faded away and the suggestions for a more responsive and accountable system faded with them.
Anecdotal descriptions of experiences, suggest considerable waste of funds and even possible misuse of some. A recurring theme is that just before the end of the fiscal year, calls are sent out for new spending with the rationale that if we don’t use up our budget we can’t get any more! It is also reported that computer software is purchased from favored vendors that cannot be used due to the inadequacy of the equipment in use, time available or even consistency with the curriculum.
Just watching the BISD meeting on TV indicates that construction bids are granted to “favored vendors” and staff doesn’t adequately verify what is done as well as whether the contract is completely satisfied. Another “funny” situation relates to the fund that provides for the “self insurance” of the medical care; which has yet to be audited. There has developed enough concern that it was suggested, that a forensic auditing team be retained to review it.
I would like to suggest that all the service vendor contracts be reviewed in the same way. Forensic auditors can be retained based on a percent of the money recovered. Since the money is gone any part of a recovery will be a big plus and retrieving the assurance of accountability will be “priceless”.
The above was the majority of my column before watching the Bond issue presentation given by Board Trustee Eliceo Munoz at the South Texans for Good Government Meeting, April 19.
As we proceeded through the presentation, Mr. Munoz’s straight forward manner and unambiguous response to the questions posed, which were very pointed, made me want to reconsider, based on demonstrated need.
I was again almost lost, however, when it was amplified that we would only pay 25% of the cost of the bond issue. I have a basic distaste for extorting money from someone else so that our administration can misuse it. The assertion, that ‘if we don’t do it someone else will”, only means that there are others that don’t respect their neighbors.
Should our neighbors choose to help us voluntarily that would be fine; but to use the tax system to extort the money, is to me – just wrong!
One of the hangers on, towards the end asked: “What are our children worth?” That got too me! They are worth the best education possible and they are not getting it!
If I could be sure that reforms would be made in the administration and in the procedures to provide even a measure of accountability, I might be inclined to support a small part of the bond issue. At least it would demonstrate a bit better that we care “What our kids are worth”.
If I could be sure that the Board of Trustees would cease to use BISD as an employment agency for family and to pay political debts I might support a little more.
In considering the four propositions, I have been convinced of the need for the elementary schools described in proposition as the most necessary at this time, and could support it, should I see convincing evidence of reform. Perhaps an overall forensic audit of current vendor contracts, as well as those completed in the last five years would be a good start. A similar audit of all “self insured” funds and real action taken to comply with at least 60% of the recommendations contained in the “Strayhorn Report” is absolutely necessary!