I know that this is an old subject + I am beating a dead horse, but I still need to vent on this. The majority of our property taxes here in Texas are due to the school districts, who are constantly building ever more ostentatious buildings + football stadiums, weight rooms, ad nauseam for benefit of the school district + the local realtors (both are the only 2 who benefit, financially). I have worked (at paying jobs) since I was 14 until now, in my late 60s, + all this time, I was required to pay school taxes for other peoples kids. When mine were in school, I had no problem, but paying prior to, + past, I do have a problem with. Especially the latter, as when one is on social security, we can't afford the regular annual increase in school taxes. People over 65 should be exempt for school taxes; however, we know that won't happen, because there is too much money to be made. The reply is always, "We don't have any control over it, you need to talk to your representatives." WHO, GODDAMMIT, WHO! There is no one visible who is accountable. As Joseph Heller wrote, "There was only one Catch, + it was a good one."

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Originally posted by Norman Conquest:
for benefit of the school district + the local realtors (both are the only 2 who benefit, financially).

I'm not sure that I understand why you would say that realtors benefit, but homeowners don't.

Desirable schools increases home values. Increasing home values benefits homeowners who sell(who profit on the increase) more than their realtors(whose profit is based on total price, not profit.

But I do agree that property taxes are often a load of BS.

Same crap here in SC. We raised taxes, built schools and athletics up. Went from 48th to 46th rank in US for education! Although, college athletic recruiting went up. Final straw was a referendum vote on raising property taxes once again. It was voted down 3 to 1. Then, in a massive insult to the voters, city council overrode the vote and approved the tax increase!!! Finally, after more dismal performance, school super was fired. Replacement came in, and improved results 25% in the first year. It was exposed that over the years, the old school board had turned down 2 offers from an international corp and a foundation to build two new high schools. This based on claims that it wasn't fair to the other school districts. What? How about the tax payers? You educators couldn't figure out a way to redistribute the money? No, it is all a "Shawshank Redemption" deal. City council and school board wanted to tax and spend the money on their cronies who benefitted from the school construction. They wanted total control so they could get the kickbacks.

Forget about school taxes! Here in New York they want to give kids----MENTAL HEALTH Days off!

What they really need is a F*^KIN' purpose in life besides their cell phones!

Hip

And those property taxes include the 'free lunch' and breakfast being served to all the kids now.

No, it is not free.

Most of you went through grade school with a sack lunch from home or money from your parents paycheck. Now we have to feed everyone else's kids. Insane.

I think 75-80% of property taxes are for schools now no matter where you live?

It's a good argument and in my opinion, both sides have good points.

As a disclosure, I am an school teacher so I may be a bit biased but that is okay
and I of course do not fault anyone from disagreeing with me.

With that said, tax increases need to be well regulated and managed better. However, like JBrown
said, "desirable schools increase home values". Also, a better education for kids does improve the
communities.

I believe athletics should mostly be funded by booster clubs and/or donations.

As far as school lunch goes, I have to disagree with Ann (I usually agree with most of what she says). I believe all school lunches and breakfasts ought to be funded. I would even support snacks to be given out after school, for the kids that state late and are involved in extracurricular activities. And I agree Ann, it is not free and yes, their are a lot of parents who should not put their kids in this situation but they do. I'd rather the kids not suffer for their parents decisions. I say all this as one is all for self reliance; I guess being around students every day has changed my opinion.

Norman: I can sympathize with you as well. I believe that if we did not have corrupt politicians, we likely would not even be having this discussion and Seniors and students would be taken care of....

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As far as school lunch goes, I have to disagree with Ann (I usually agree with most of what she says). I believe all school lunches and breakfasts ought to be funded. I would even support snacks to be given out after school, for the kids that state late and are involved in extracurricular activities.

So then what are parents to be responsible for?

What does this teach not only the children but the parents? How does making everyone pay for a select few benefit society in general? What is the return on our 'investment'?

How is it that our society is so different now than it was when I grew up and went to the same schools?

Jason, I think you answered your own query. The realtors benefit by selling a lot of homes in a 5A school district, + that increases the property taxes for the rest of us who have no intention of selling our homes, until we are finally forced out by ever-increasing taxes. My latest bill from Travis County, for 2 acres on my adjoining property, tripled from last year, + 3/4 of that was for school taxes. And let us not get into the "Robin Hood" act, or I'll be here all night.

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So then what are parents to be responsible for?

What does this teach not only the children but the parents? How does making everyone pay for a select few benefit society in general? What is the return on our 'investment'?

How is it that our society is so different now than it was when I grew up and went to the same schools?

The parents SHOULD be responsible for their kids and are idiots if they are not; plain and simple. My point is, is that the kids should not suffer for their parents stupidity.

Your other questions is an argument that nobody will ever win. We all pay taxes for things that we do not use or "benefit" us. Not saying they are all right but in short, and investment in children in good for society. Of course, more money never guarantees that kids will turn out better but if used correctly, I believe that it does.

Then why is it that kids are given more and more but are turning out worse and worse?

Giving them things will not make them any7 better, it will just be making them worse!

They need some responsibility and a purpose in life no matter how small.

My next door neighbor has four teen+ kids and none of them can bring in the GD garbage cans, no matter how many times they pass them!

I live in a very populated area and it has to be 10 yrs. or more since a kid offered to cut my lawn or shovel snow to earn a couple of bucks instead of hitting up mommy and daddy for a few dollars!

They can't put their phones down long enough to wipe their own asses!

Hip

Good grief, I am talking about school lunch lol...

I think that the reason kids are struggling is:

1- Phones (I wish they would ban them while they are going to school during the day).
2- Parents- Parents do not discipline them
3- Work- When I was younger, getting a job in high school was exciting, kids in high school often do not have jobs.

It's sad Hipshoot that kids no longer want to do this.

My kids are fortunately out of school now and support themselves. I gave them no other option.

It is a shame that those good for nothing kids will pass on their genes and way of life to their offspring continuing the problem down the line.

One of the latest things is forgiving student loans. Now how does that make the people feel that couldn't afford to send their kids to college and are now paying to put someone else's kids through school

Hip

I'm sure the old people in my small town didn't like to pay school taxes, thought that I and my school mates didn't have correct behaviour and that the schools weren't run right. That was a looong time ago, but I'm glad they did pay the tax. It constantly surprises me, as the schools were so successful in the long ago past, that I observe so many ignorant old farts.

I sent my son down yesterday to pay the property taxes + he did, but while there the clerk asked him if he was paying business or property taxes. Being quick on the draw, he told him property taxes, I don't know anything about business taxes; besides, he's been retired for the last 2 years. So the guy says, well, that' O.K. then. When he got home + told me about it, I said, I've never heard of a business tax, must be a new one they came up with to tax the productive for having a business + working.

Randy, they never have enough money.

I just wish my tax dollars were used as wisely and frugally as my after tax earnings......

Now up here they what to give free lunches to ALL the school kids!

HOLY SHITSKY KOMRADS! MY BORST RUPLES ARE RUNNING LOW!

Hip

During the years that I raised my 3 boys, there were some tough times when I could have qualified for free lunch's on occasion, but I never did so. Even my youngest, who is 32 now, I told him when he was in high school if he would like to buy his lunch in the cafeteria (like the cool kids do), he said, no, Dad, you have always packed my lunch + that's the way I want it. I packed his lunch from Kindergarten through 12th grade.