LETTERS

Spell out cost to the taxpayer

Posted 10/19/22

To the Editor,

Ed Ladouceur provided the most honest and logical answer to the $350 million school bond issue (October 13 Beacon issue).  Of course, Warwick taxpayers need to know the details …

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LETTERS

Spell out cost to the taxpayer

Posted

To the Editor,


Ed Ladouceur provided the most honest and logical answer to the $350 million school bond issue (October 13 Beacon issue).  Of course, Warwick taxpayers need to know the details of just how much our taxes will increase before they approve of such a financial commitment.  And you know that taxes will increase.  I attended the recent CVA meeting where a platform was provided for local candidates to discuss the issues.  I can't recall hearing anyone state the specifics of the potential tax liability of the bond issue, or the financial ramifications of upgrading the current buildings. I was aware of the declining student population which leads to Mr. Ladouceur's suggestion of just one new school.  What is the projected population growth, if any, for Warwick?  We also need this type of information to make an informed decision.

One of the more preposterous reasons given for a new school is it would attract families to Warwick.  Really?  This is a prime example of "what came first, the chicken or the egg".  Families will arrive just because of a new school!  I was under the impression that the quality of education is the key ingredient required to judge a city's schools.  Why not put money towards the pursuit of better educators or providing a means of enhancing our current teachers.  Then when test scores are better than surrounding communities; graduation rates are higher; college enrollment rates are higher and we see a trend of population growth of families then we can think about new schools.

One last note of my rave: Along with some of the other fantasies about new schools the idea that it will be $350 million is ludicrous.  How old is that figure?  If people are going to push this whole idea then they should at least provide a projection of what the actual costs will be.  Has anyone noticed inflation lately?


John F. Roberts

Warwick

letter, letters

Comments

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  • JohnStark

    Mr. Roberts is, of course, correct. But it is discouraging that some naive voters accept the notion that new schools a) are better schools, and b) increase property values. Could someone please identify a public high school in New England that saw the overall quality of instruction improve as a function of having a new building? They do not exist. The 'quality' of a school is a function of the parental education level and family support that surrounds that school, not the other way around. As for property values, the argument is simply comical. Some of the highest property values in the state, per square foot, are found on Providence's East Side. This is the home of Hope High, where 94% of students do not meet expectations in Math. High income buyers did not exactly flock to South Providence upon the completion of PCTA. Locally, property values in Cowesett, Governor Francis, and Warwick Neck have held up quite nicely despite measurable outcomes that can only be described as embarrassing at Tollgate and Pilgrim. Do not believe the myths. New schools do not equal better schools, and they certainly do not result in higher property values. They do, however, result in immediately higher taxes.

    Monday, October 24, 2022 Report this