I was disappointed that the editorial board of the Daily decided to oppose the one-cent local option tax vote for Story County. You overlooked some important facts regarding the issue. This proposal was initiated and driven by all school districts within Story County, not the City of Ames.

This issue affects all students within Story County. The county nearly passed the first vote (some 40 votes shy), and that can’t be characterized as a resounding rejection from the public.

Fair or unfair, we live in an Iowa county in which sales are significant and thus an appreciable revenue would be generated by the one-cent tax. The state has not historically funded the building of facilities, and they recently enacted the legislation that allowed this county-based one-cent local option tax to help districts address costly building needs.

Many school districts do not have the money needed to adequately maintain facilities, nor the bonding capacity to build needed facilities. To advocate that Story County school districts should not utilize bonding which overlooks the additional burden to be borne by property owners.

When bonding for improvements through property taxes, as much is paid in interest as is available for the original principal if the bond is repaid over a typical 20 year payback period. The sales tax revenue would reduce the cost to the already burdened property owners.

Each of us pays taxes that provide us no personal benefit, but instead, provides for the common good. For ISU students who are residents of Iowa, your education is subsidized by the state income tax that all Iowa residents pay.

All residents of Iowa pay federal income taxes and at least some of those dollars are used for federal programs that have little or no impact on our lives here in Iowa.

Someday, and perhaps even presently, members of the editorial board will become parents with children who will attend a public school. Given a choice, you’d likely choose to raise your children in Iowa, and perhaps, even here in Story County.

If you choose public education, then you’ll likely be involved in a decision on the public financing for some type of building project for your school. Don’t be surprised if your opinion changes from the position you have taken today.

Andrew Thom

President

Ballard Community School District

Board of Education