LEARNING COMMUNITY BLOATED BUDGET FY 2017-2018

NTF worksheet: learningcommunity11.doc. 8-17.
NEBRASKA TAXPAYERS FOR FREEDOM WORKSHEET:
LEARNING COMMUNITY BLOATED BUDGET FY 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND.
The Learning Community of Douglas & Sarpy Counties (LC) historically has passed bloated budgets that spend tax dollars recklessly on programs of questionable value with no benchmarks, quality control, or assessments to determine if such programs successfully enhance academic achievement. This sorry process continues in the content of its FY 2017-2018 budget.

BLOATED BUDGET.
The budget would increase spending by almost $1 million, from $7.5 million to over $8.4 million, and raise the tax rate without guaranteeing improved academic performance. The property tax rate would rise from .014c per $100 valuation to .015c. Spending on capital improvements would skyrocket. Development of a mandatory pre-school program. An early childhood partnership would waste $942,667 tax dollars. A Superintendent Early Childhood Plan would cost $2.6 million. Multi-year contracts signed would limit LC options to lower future tax rates or eliminate useless programs. LC partners like Boys Town enjoy lucrative money streams and 2-4 yr. contracts. Funding for a supposedly voluntary family assistance program would result in mandatory home visits and punitive action. Unneeded Family Support Liaisons would cost $228,375. A Parent University budget would total $721,400. These last 2 programs at the North Omaha LC Center. At the South Omaha Center, another $170,405 for a Family Support Liaison. The LC pays its lobbyist $30,000, though board members themselves could lobby. A Diversity Plan Evaluation wastes $5,000. The LC wastes thousands on truancy evaluation, though public school districts deal with this issue satisfactorily.

INSIDIOUS PLANS.
Not only is the LC trying to eliminate private early childhood businesses that do improve the educational abilities and futures of children, but also it seeks to control pregnant mothers. LC bureaucrats want to place 7-month pregnant moms into Parent University, with a social worker assigned to each unborn child as a monitor. Supposedly, this voluntary program teaches moms how to educate their tiny babies. However, if a mom shows poor attendance or attitude at Parent U. classes, she finds herself turned into the welfare dept. Such intrusive government conduct is obscene, as most would not want strangers with laptops and cameras barging into their homes to look for negligence.

TAKE ACTION NOW.
The LC will hold a public hearing on its budget on Thu. Aug. 24, at 5:15 PM at 1612 North 24 Street. NTF tax watchdogs must attend and speak. Last year, not one taxpayer appeared at the public hearing to protest the LC profligate spending and outrageous taxes. This board purposely holds its public hearings before supper time, so that those who must pick up children from school, are still working, or are preparing to eat supper will be unable to attend. If you cannot attend this early meeting, you can contact your learning community member by email.

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