Defeat budget

To the editor

   At the school board meeting held on March 4, the public was presented an $82.09 million proposed 2002-03 school budget.
   The budget as presented represented an 8.2 percent overall budget increase and a 16 percent increase in taxes. In the March 4 meeting, many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the magnitude of the budget and the tax increase. At the conclusion of the March 4 meeting, the school board took an action to "sharpen their pencils" based on public input.
   In the March 11 school board meeting, the school board approved a tentative budget of $81.84 million, a reduction of only $250,000. The taxpayers still face a 16 percent increase.
   The tentative school budget of $81.84 million is not affordable in an economic environment where Hillsborough residents are loosing their jobs, are being given salary cuts by their employers, and are facing adverse conditions in the financial markets. The school board clearly stated that if the public is dissatisfied wit the proposed budget, their dissatisfaction should be expressed in the April 16 election.
   I urge the public to defeat the 2002-03 school budget in the upcoming election, April 16.