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Dear District 203 Resident:
Education is NOT a function of spending. It is extremely important to understand that since District 203 was formed 35 years ago, there has never been a correlation between spending and student achievement. The union-endorsed candidates will imply otherwise. We have been producing high-quality students since 1972. The issue at hand today is a board that does not govern with this fact in mind. In 1990 our operating budget was about $70MM, and we were producing high-quality students. Our operating budget has almost tripled since then, exceeding $200MM, and the quality of our students remains at the same high level.
73%. District 203 is responsible for 73% of your property tax bill. When it comes to supporting its school districts, Naperville citizens will support "reasonable" increases in spending and taxes. But spending and taxes in District 203 has been anything but reasonable. Simply put, taxes have gotten way out of control. Sadly, long-time residents are moving out of Naperville because of taxes, and I've received emails from people who grew up here but can't afford to move here. Money doesn't grow on trees. No, not even here in #2 Naperville (interestingly, #1 Ft. Collins, CO has estimated property taxes of $1,700). We need board members with the fiscal integrity to honor the limitations of the tax cap law, make spending decisions that are within our financial means, and not perpetuate a cycle of deficits and referenda. With leadership and vision, we can absolutely maintain our historically high academic standards, and live within our means.
An historic perspective. District 203 was founded in 1972 with 9,100 students. It took about 25 years for student enrollment to double to 18,000 and for spending to reach $100MM. In the last 10 years student enrollment has increased by about 3% and spending has exceeded $200MM. The 2002 tax referendum said it would only cost an additional $511 for a $300,000 home. That "promise" has become more like $1,200. Property taxes have increased 60% in five years. And even though the 2002 tax referendum has over collected tens of millions of dollars, we are again projecting deficit spending to occur in 3-5 years! Creating deficits is tantamount to the school board thumbing its nose at the property tax cap limits that were enacted by voters. While school board elections are non-partisan, make no mistake about it, there is a clear ideological split on the current board. Everyone in Naperville is not a millionnaire, and just because the value of your house has increased doesn't mean you should take out another mortgage so you can pay your property taxes.
Strikes. The teachers' union has been getting 5%-6% raises for nine years now, world-class health benefits, and a pension program second to none. We simply cannot afford 5%-6% per year contracts due to a voter-enacted property tax cap law that limits school district revenue to CPI or 5% (whichever is less). Furthermore, there is no corrleation between teacher salaries and student achievement. The union's response to our tax cap constraints is to threaten Naperville with strikes if they don't get 5%-6% raises. The last go around in 2005, the union threatened to strike with 15% three-year offer on the table! The true colors of the union couldn't be clearer. Ironically, the NUEA's tactics are having another unforeseen effect. Here's a very telling email I received from a parent shortly after the 2005 negotiations: "I have always been a big supporter of the schools, with volunteering, working for the last referendum, VP of Home and School, but the strike vote really opened my eyes."
Positive about education? Excerpt taken from the NUEA's March 2006 minutes: "It was pointed out that Mr. Davitt's seat is up next year. We need to find potential members who are positive about education." Positive about education is code for money. What they are really saying is potential members who will place the wishes of the NUEA ahead of the limits of the taxpayer. Actually, it is because I am so positive about education that I am deeply worried about it. I am worried that we spend so much on salaries and benefits (2-3 times more than CPI) that we have little left over for students and programs (i.e., education). That's how I define being "positive about education." Ironically, I didn't realize threatening the community with a strike every three years was being "positive about education."
Top 5%. The union's Chief Negotiator was quoted as saying "Naperville wants a Cadillac education, but is only willing to pay Chevy prices." This teacher makes six figures! Time for some facts: District 203 ranks #37 out of 844 Illinois school districts in terms of total compensation. The union sadly equates the size of a raise with the degree of respect. That is a warped correlation. The district is constrained by the property tax cap. And a 3% raise these days is a dignified raise in any industry. A Daily Herald editorial captures the sentiment of our community when it wrote, "It hurts, but government workers shouldn't have some iron-clad guarantee of being spared from the pain many others suffer in making a sacrifice for their company's financial health." District 203 pays very well (top 5%), and this community provides teachers with an ideal learning environment, which is why we get hundreds of applications each year.
Case study. The Naperville City Council provides a great example of what a fiscally conservative government body can do for its community. They monitor their spending, keep taxes reasonable, and provide outstanding services. It's called value. It's time for a change in District 203. We've had a fiscally liberal board administering the school district for 10 years now, and look where it's gotten us. The time has come to elect three fiscally conservative board members on April 17 and give them a chance to show what they can do for students, parents, and taxpayers.
Plato. "We assume a person who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state." Look at the results of the last 10 years and you'll quickly apreciate the timelessness of Plato's quote. I've learned the hard way what a person says and how they vote can be completely different. The present fiscally liberal board majority does not reflect the fiscally conservative ideology of this community. Study the candidates very carefully (especially the voting record of the fiscally-liberal, union-endorsed incumbent). Don't let rhetoric like "it's for the kids" influence how you vote. If you like what you've read, please share this website with your friends. The only way to bring fiscal sanity back to our school district is through you and the power of the vote. Your vote for the Taxpayers' Ticket (Mike, Dan, and Jerry) on April 17 can make all the difference. You have our word.
Sincerely,
Mike Davitt
608 Cassin Rd.
Naperville, IL. 60565
mike@taxpayersticket.com
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