Another Opinion of the Facts

Great article in Star Press. One that lists facts instead of emotional pleas, the opposite of the pro-higher tax articles: 

I have been following the latest debate about school transportation, which is the subject of the upcoming referendum. The dialog has obviously divided the community— if yard signs are a fair barometer.I may be able to offer a slightly different perspective on the subject. I have a vested interest in this referendum by being a lifelong Muncie resident, Southside graduate and owner of a local manufacturing company. The referendum, if passed, will have a negative impact on my business and increase my personal taxes. I realize we vote our personal interests to a great extent, whether we are citizens, employees, bus drivers, superintendents or financial managers. But I also believe some of us want to do what is best for the students of Muncie even if it hurts. We also want to do what is right for the city. I am an accountant by education and I often rely on statistical analysis to make decisions. I have read articles in the newspaper but didn’t rely on those rather the actual MCS budget and the law. If you are interested in a few facts I offer the following:•   MCS Budget – 2013 over $74 million•   MCS Salaries/Benefits over 60 percent of budget 2013•   MCS transportation costs $4.2 million or 5.6 percent of budget, 2013•   MCS transportation cost per student bussed at $1270/year, 2013•   Franklin Twp. Indianapolis transportation costs per student $420, one-third of MCS levels•   Revenues from referendum $6 million per year for seven years (.3939/$100 of assessed valuation as it appears on the ballot)•   MCS purchased approximately $2 million of iPads this year paid from the Rainy Day Fund, also usable for transportation expenses•   MCS expenditure per student 2012 over $17,000, fourth highest in Indiana among about 300 school districts•   Average MCS administrator salary $97,500•   Average MCS teacher salary $47,700•   Gap between those salaries fourth highest in state•   MCS enrollment has consistently declined for over 25 years to less than 6,000 today.I realize this is a lot to digest but it does paint a picture. I appreciate MCS tax proceeds have declined. Many of us face similar situations and when that happens we set priorities and make hard decisions. Anyone who thinks this discussion is about transportation is naïve. This is about MCS replacing lost funding so they can operate in a manner to which they have become accustomed — even though enrollment has declined. If you were setting priorities I don’t think you would first look at eliminating the 5.6 percent of the budget that transports more than half your students to school. This administration and board literally stepped over the dollars to pick up dimes. The preceding statistics tell you about their priorities and judgment. They reward themselves and friends first and the referendum enables them to continue.With this referendum they are saying they would rather compromise student attendance, education and safety than compromise their lifestyle. Transportation should not be where they start cutting.There are other ways to economize but those have political risk that they shy away from. Consolidation should have been the first subject on the last several superintendents’ agendas but cronyism, nepotism and self indulgence has prevailed instead.Beyond the numbers there are other factors to be considered. Public Law 145-2012, Indiana Code Section 20-27-13-3, says that no school corporation may suspend transportation without providing three years notice. Waivers from this law may be requested but involve public input and investigation by the State Department of Education. MCS is one of two school districts in the State that have applied.  Please recognize that unlike MCS the state of Indiana considers transportation so important they passed this law to be sure schools did not have freedom to make this choice alone.Muncie has a great challenge if it is going to be an attractive city for commerce or families. Increasing taxes drives away business, makes us less attractive and takes $40 million out of our economy over the next seven years – for MCS to spend.I mentioned Franklin Twp. (Indianapolis) transportation costs because it has budget problems too — because of growth not contraction. That administration decided to cease paid transportation and a bus company was found to provide transportation at one-third the cost per student of MCS.Additionally, Franklin Twp. is now in a lawsuit to determine if ceasing transportation violates the constitutional right of a student to a “free and appropriate education.” I would argue that in light of MCS priorities the right to “free and appropriate education” comes far down their list.When I attended MCS I knew of no students who were transported by bus — although there may have been some of the 17,000 students that were. I realize times have changed and busing is a necessity. I do not think that education is very effective in absentia. But that was the place the board and administrators chose as their beachhead because it is a very emotional issue.I am not a character out of a Dickens’ novel who doesn’t care for urchins or students. But I am someone who evaluates the performance of elected and contract personnel at MCS and finds a vacuum of good leadership and honesty. That may have some bearing in the fact that less than half of these referendums have succeeded statewide.Vote yes if you want these people spending more of your tax dollars. I would rather start a fire with the money than entrust it to MCS. Our priorities just aren’t compatible.John Miller is a Muncie resident and president of Allied Enterprises Inc. on Kilgore Avenue.