Dear Editor,

Like a lot of voters, I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to decipher the Garfield School District Re-2 mill levy override. I have no doubt that the school board is sincere in wanting to provide the best for the children of the district. Their track record is exemplary, and we should be thankful for their efforts.

But the tough reality is that this is a tax increase. Please stop trying to call it anything else. The expected $60-per-$100,000-valuation decrease is my decrease. It is not up for grabs.

The real cost of this tax increase is $94 per $100,000 of valuation. But few of us live in a house with a $100,000 valuation. For most of us, the cost is going to be more like $180 this year. That’s approaching a 50 percent increase over last year’s donation to the district!

Maybe the package is worth it, but I’m tired of being told my “estimated bottom line net impact” is only $34 ” it isn’t.

I’ve never voted against an education funding question but suspect that this time we can do better. It isn’t always about the kids ” sometimes it’s about the cost. If this increase fails, I hope the school board can bring us another, better plan.

Thank you,

Jim Ellis

New Castle