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Watchdog
of the Taxpayer's Dollar Since 1956 Fairfax VA |
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Due to large tax and spending increases between 1975 and 1991, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) operating budgets have spent, since 1975, $6 billion more than was required to keep up with enrollment and inflation. None of the $6 billion was spent on buildings. The programs the $6 billion was spent on did not raise achievement. The average FCPS SAT score for all seniors is at the 65th percentile and is much lower for Hispanics and African-Americans. If some of the $6 billion had been spent on capital needs, today there would be no trailers, no 45-minute bus rides, and no overdue renovations.
Now the Fairfax County Council of PTAs wants to increase the county debt service limit from 10% to 15% and claims that the resulting tax increase would be only $65 per household. Actually, it would increase household real estate taxes by $200 and is unnecessary. The school system should fund its capital needs from the substantial tax increases it has already received.
Why subsidize mismanagement with higher taxes?
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FAIRFAX COUNTY TAXPAYERS ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE