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Sherman voters to decide on school tax Save Email Print
Posted: 6:02 PM Sep 25, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:28 PM Sep 25, 2008
 Reporter: Rashi Vats
Email Address: rashi.vats@kxii.com
30 comments
A | A | A

SHERMAN, Tex. -- We are all trying to save money in these tight economic times, but soon Sherman residents may actually be paying more. Some Sherman leaders say they are in favor of raising taxes. Rashi Vats explains.

School officials have said for some time that state education funding is not increasing, but the needs of local schools are. Voters in the Sherman Independent School District are set to decide on a 13-cent tax increase proposal.

Early voting on the issue has already started, and one business group is speaking out in favor of the increase.

"We do want to support this so that they can get the money that they need, and they are not hindered, and they're not going to have to cut any programs that are absolutely necessary to provide that well educational force and skilled workforce," Sherman Chamber of Commerce president Traci Carlson says.

And if not approved, school officials say they will have to cut resources they need.

"The benefits are not only for our daily operations, but for the programming that we have in place that we think works well for them," Sherman ISD superintendent Al Hambrick says.

Old school buses should have been replaced a long time ago with the fleet replacement program. If the tax ratification is approved, then Sherman ISD could be purchasing more new buses.

If approved, homeowners would pay an additional $130 a year for a home with a taxable value of $100,000.

"We are doing our very best to get the word out, and we ask that people would go vote,” Dr. Hambrick added.

Sherman is not alone in the proposed tax changes. School officials say it is a statewide issue that over 1,000 districts are dealing with.

Voting on the issue is set for next Saturday, October 4. Early voting is underway now.

For more information, check the following links:

Sherman Tax Ratification Election Information Page 1

Sherman Tax Ratification Election Information Page 2
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Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 1, 2008 at 03:22 PM
No, no, and NO!
Posted by: Kathy Location: Sherman on Oct 1, 2008 at 02:10 PM
My taxes will increase almost $400.00! That really hurts! I want to see how SISD spends it's money...line by line.
Posted by: Phil Location: Sherman on Oct 1, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I agree with shermanite, let's stay focused on the issue. This is about a tax increase pure and simple. Very little of the increase is designed to affect the salaries of the teachers, or the quality of education received by the students. Do not be led into believing that voting against the increase is going to hurt the students. The level of education is mandated and the SISD must meet that mandate. Please get out and vote AGAINST the rollback. Keep your hard-earned money in your pocket and not in theirs.
Posted by: shermanite Location: shertown on Oct 1, 2008 at 09:47 AM
I get tired reading some of these ignorant comments that have nothing to do with the topics.This isn't about demographics in schools or about the parents that don't dicipline those so-called hoodlums, this is about a Tax Increase. Keep the topics at hand please.take a note from jon blaze and others that posted similar comments you might learn something.
Posted by: Ardmore Mom Location: Ardmore on Oct 1, 2008 at 08:43 AM
I really hate it when the schools or the government just tax us to death because they can't manage money or they waste it. I have a son in middle school and he was issued a workbook in math, later on the teacher tells the kids they can through it away or lose it if they want because he won't be using it in class, and this is in Ardmore, that ticked me off when my son told me that! Ardmore City Schools wasting money as usual!
Posted by: Could be Worse Location: Durant on Sep 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM
We just passed a sales tax to build a new high school! On the books for 25years this tax is. We will generate tens of millions of dollars above what is really needed and still get rich in the process! Told ya it pays to be on the school board! Thats even after we triple the bankers investment via legal interest and fee's! All in the name of education! And the funny thing is these inbreds around here think our plan is going to benifit all of them and the children!
Posted by: Nuff said Location: Sherman on Sep 30, 2008 at 04:54 PM
It's up to each and every one of us to go vote. If you don't vote, then don't whine.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I dare you
Posted by: JOE BLAZE Location: SOUTHWEST on Sep 30, 2008 at 11:24 AM
you people are so uninformed this is a half to situation,it has nothing to do with spending to much or spending on the wrong things... the state took funds from each school in texas.. the kids will suffer if this does not pass services will be cut period...larger classes less instruction less help for students who need it if you want your schools to go down hill well its upi to you
Posted by: Boo Location: Sherman on Sep 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
To Mike,Have you heard any of the teachers speak proper English? I think not! As far the rest of the of the school board or anyone else in public education?? PLEASE..
Posted by: Tax Payer Location: Sherman on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:45 PM
If the school district is in such dire need of money then why did they give the Superintendent a new Yukon along with all the free gas he needs to go with it? In Dallas ISD the Superintendent voluntarily gave up 15% of his salary to try and help his DISD. Think Dr. Hambrick will do the same thing for SISD - or trade that Yukon for a Suzuki?
Posted by: Will on Sep 28, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Another 130 dollars for sisd to waste no thanks
Posted by: Victor Location: Sherman on Sep 27, 2008 at 09:26 PM
----Perhaps if everyone would quit catering to the illegals that have enrolled all their non-English speaking children in our schools, they would have the extra money for the students who are citizens here and have the right to a good education. How much is being spent on bilingual teachers and interpreters because we are allowing the illegas to take over Sherman....----- That's just sad you think we're stupid b/c we don't know english and we're not from here. If you ahvn't noticed. ALOT of mexicans that do study are waaaaaaay over the regular expectations of average. Don't say that your whites aren't stupid either b/c some are just plain sad to look at... I'm not racist I'm just saying it's not fair what you say. We're still human. If you have a problem with it don't post an ignorant comment and think about what you're going to say. I don't know who your parents are but it ussually traces back to parents. They teach their kids to call them "stupid mexicans" You parents are sad.
Posted by: Will Location: Sherman on Sep 27, 2008 at 04:05 PM
I am telling you that if you vote for this you are giving a vote of confidence to Hambrick and Burton. You ask what does this have to do with the rollback I will tell you. These two spend money like it is grown on trees. They have already taken the district down in every area just ASK teachers and district employees. We did not have to put in new phones this year. How many buses do we need? There are so many nonclassroom employees that we don"t need. Hutto knew this and it has taken Hambrick less than two years to destroy it. Finances must be the only thing that Whitfield Frazier and Hendricks did not tell him what to do. The icing on the cake is that Hambrick hired Burton because he is the son of an ex board member who is a friend of Sue Frazier and made the Cooper School District the happiest people in the world. If you expect to ever pass a rollback Hambrick and Burton need to go as they have no constraints at all about spending money. CSCOPE $30,000 ?????????? yea right.
Posted by: Republican in Ardmore Location: Ardmore on Sep 27, 2008 at 01:02 AM
Sue in Sherman, them Republicans you got in Sherman ain't my kind, those are the type of Republicans that would sell out to the Democrats and and Wall Street and were willing to give up your money! I hope the House Republicans hold out as long as they can and get what they want in protecting the taxpayer! The Democrats have the votes now to get that bailout through now if they wanted to, but they are the one's playing politics in wanting the Republicans to sign on with them so the Republicans can't use it against them come November! Since you're for NObama, you were never a true Republican to begin with!
Posted by: Mike Location: Sherman on Sep 27, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Are you kidding me? Why should I pay a red cent to this school district? I see nothing but illiterate trouble making little hoodlums coming out of our schools. We cater to them by offering computers but they can't read or write. Ever try and talk to one of them? If they are not using urban slang it's "An then I said like ya know blah blah blah and then she said yaaaa I knoww it's like ya know". I swear if this is any indication of what the rest of the country is pushing thru the public education system we are like totally screwed ya know. We give them educational diversity but they choose to skip classes. They wear their baggy britches around their knees and try to look all tough. Give me a break and instead of spending all that money on transportation, landscaping..etc... spend it on a strong paddle and some educators and parents with the courage to use it.
Posted by: Theresa Location: sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Yes i have to agree that we have already voted for the 77 million dollar bond and where did all that money go?? Why did they not get buses in that amount of money? We all pay way to much for taxes now as it is. We can not handle anymore taxes. I agree that the kids can do fun raisers and well maybe they need to cut back in other areas that arent doing as well. Yes the state has requirements for the kids and they will get the education they need.Dont say that the kids will be affected that is your way of trying to get us to vote for this and well it wont work...I will vote against this. I agree that the landscaping shouldnt make any difference to any school. The kids dont go outside that much anyway. YOU ALWAYS WANT US HOMEOWNERS TO PICK UP THE TAB WHEN YOU NEED MONEY IN THE CITY OF SHERMAN.Maybe you should cut back some of the city services that arent really needed.
Posted by: Sue Location: Sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 03:05 PM
What a sneaky crock of bs. The country is going down because of corruption and greed, so will Sherman. I'm a Repub for Dem. B.Obama. Sorry Repub in Ardmore, Sherman is run by your kind.
Posted by: anonymous Location: sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Perhaps if everyone would quit catering to the illegals that have enrolled all their non-English speaking children in our schools, they would have the extra money for the students who are citizens here and have the right to a good education. How much is being spent on bilingual teachers and interpreters because we are allowing the illegas to take over Sherman....
Posted by: tracy Location: sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Everyone needs to pay attention. They're being sneaky w/ the voting this time just like they did w/ the 77 million dollar bond. You have to go to certain schools on certain days, Monday or Tuesday evenings or Saturday in your district to vote. Sneaky and greedy, what a great combination.
Posted by: NO WAY NO TAX on Sep 26, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Your children are going to get the same education as always, the State mandaites it and the district can not afford to let any employees go. After the disaster with the way the district handled the CScope program there are plenty of teachers voluntarly leaving at the end of this school year. This is all empty threats. Don't let them fool you!! The district wants to money so they can "keep up with the Jones" in other school districts. So vote NO.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 26, 2008 at 11:26 AM
This is bull Sherman is getting more corrupt everyday.
Posted by: Larry Location: Sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Too bad you didn't run this story in time for the disabled to get an absentee ballot in the mail. I think the SHID wants to hold the vote count down. One cannot buy much of a home in Sherman for $100,000.
Posted by: Boo Location: Sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 11:19 AM
No, all that money went for building a school you can't even see... privacy landscaping, secure bus entrance, huge windows..... they want this "new" money for some parking lots and blings to make it look like they did something...
Posted by: Sherman mom Location: sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 10:13 AM
We already pay enough. And I'm afraid the money will go to the wealthier schools anyway. Jefferson, Fred Douglass and Crutchfield need things , too. Especially Fred Douglass. How can we guarantee it will go where it' needed.
Posted by: tracy Location: sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 08:34 AM
I think you greedy people got enough with that outrageous bond that was approved not too long ago. That was more than enough. On top of that, you still make the students do fund raisers. How much money do you people really need? I'm voting against Sherman schools ever getting any more money. How many millions did you allegedly need for landscaping? Crutchfield's landscaping still looks as bad as ever. Exactly where is all the money you got from the bond? I think we have a right to know exactly where it went. Greedy SOBs.....
Posted by: Phil Location: Sherman on Sep 26, 2008 at 07:21 AM
What a crock that the Chamber of Commerce wants to get involved in this issue. This is an issue for the tax payers to decide. Please don't let the school make this an issue of how the children will be affected. School districts are required to provide a certain level of education. I think it is time that the SISD and others started having to make cuts just like all the rest of us are doing. I urge you to vote against the rollback on October 4. Every time you turn around, someone is trying to get into your pocket.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 25, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Maybe if the leadership had shown some responsibility with the money they had I would vote for it however I cannot afford any more taxes. I am afraid that if you have been reading the Dallas Morning News articles about the DISD you can changer the amounts and names and you would have a story about the SISD
Posted by: taxpayer Location: sherman on Sep 25, 2008 at 10:16 PM
You want me to pay more in this economy if it passes can I ride one of your new buses to work?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: sherman on Sep 25, 2008 at 10:13 PM
As long as Hambrick and Burton are running this school district I will not support one even a one cent increase as they have no idea what they are doing and are going to spend this district in to the ground.
Posted by: Republican in Ardmore Location: Ardmore on Sep 25, 2008 at 10:06 PM
There must be a lot of TAX and SPEND Obama Democrats in Sherman. The country is going down the financial toilet and Sherman wants a 13-CENT TAX INCREASE. Yep, that's would Obama would do!
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