I voted against the levy on Thursday and then left town on business. I learned of the results later, the levy passed.
It is truly a sad day in Blaine county, very sad. I am so dissappointed in the school district on this robbery.
I hope there is something that can be done, a recount or something. Maybe a new vote, done properly? If anyone has any thoughts, feel free to contact me.

Taxation Poem

Tax his land, tax his wage,
tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor, tax his mule,
teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow, tax his goat,
tax his pants, tax his coat.
Tax his ties, tax his shirts,
tax his work, tax his dirt.

Tax his chew, tax his smoke,
teach him taxes are no joke.
Tax his car, tax his grass,
tax the roads he must pass.
Tax his food, tax his drink,
tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his sodas, tax his beers,
if he cries, tax his tears.

Tax his bills, tax his gas,
tax his notes, tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
that after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, tax him more,
tax him until he's good and sore.

Tax his coffin, tax his grave,
tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me to my doom!"
and when he's gone, we won't relax,
we'll still be after the inheritance tax!

In the past 10 years (the tax levy that's expiring) the school district added approximately $60,000,000 worth of infrastructure, and over the next 10 years will add another $60,000,000 worth of infrastructure. WOW!!! Where will the money come from to hire the necessary people to maintain all of these projects. We don't even know what the school district plans to do with all this money. So instead of hiring teachers in the future we'll be hiring a bunch of janitors and maintenance personal for the upkeep of all this stuff. Or will the school district find another way to pick our pockets.

Here's my position.
I was born and raised in Blaine County. I am a 58 year old man. I went to school here. I left the state for college and stayed away until I was 44 years old. I knew I would never make enough money to afford to own a home here and have a good job if I stayed. Sun Valley was getting very expensive and I saw the writing on the wall. It was always my dream to come back when I could afford it. In 1995 I moved back and bought a home in Ketchum for $310,000. I did a remodel on my home over the next 5 years mostly with my own hands. I really stretched to make that happen. Every extra dollar I had was spent on my house. I wanted to stay. It was the first house I ever bought. I wanted it to be the last. The county says it is now worth $1,900,000. but I could never sell it for that. Never. I pay $12,755. per year in property taxes plus any levy's. Like most of you, the recession has hit me hard. I have 3 jobs just to keep my head above water. I'm not going to make it. Putting it on the market right now (which breaks my heart) is a waste of time since it won't sell anyway. There are 5 other homes for sale on my block and the signs have been there for over a year. I am a single person with no kids. I really wish I had kids, but it never worked out. Even if I could fire sale it, I could get maybe $1,000,000. I owe $450,000. That means I have about $550,000. equity. As a single person I get a $200,000. tax exemption. That means I would pay capital gains on $350,000.
Like many people I know, if I could sell, I will have to move south if I want to stay, which I do.
This levy will cost me about $700. plus my regular property taxes per year. I'm done.
That's just my story, and I know I'm not the only one.
Thanks Blaine County School District for putting through such a levy in such a devious way. You have taught me a big lesson. You should be proud.
Even now I don't feel sorry for myself, I feel sorry for other people in this valley who are in a similar position. Older people on a fixed income and families with children that are struggling. And for what? A district that is the richest in the state? You don't even need the money.
You should be ashamed.
I have never used the word "I" so much in my life and never will again.
It's just my story.

Desktop/School1.mp3

Why did they not have this vote on election day??

Answer,is because it would not have passed.

Children are our best investment for the future. Providing an exceptional learning facility and experience is part of the big picture. Hopefully they will learn to give back too. Understandably so, the economic situation is less than to be desired.The price of everything had gone up. Let's count our blessings and try to work together . If your not satisfied, then leave the valley and go to another school district.

Have we reached a quadrillion in debt yet ?

Fire up the printing presses, chop some trees, call Dupont for the chemicals and inks, we needs more monopoly "money"..

How did mankind ever make it all these centuries with out ink and paper, and credits, interests, taxes...

Better lower the legal wage slave age soon this population of really really smart folks is getting waaaaaaay behind financially..

We need child laborers working 18 hour days like the Chinese... No more pay checks just cabbage...

I love marxists, their really fun to watch.

You know why this levy has people upset?

It is a function of what I call Minority Rule. The minority, 27%, just sent a bill to the majority, the 73% that didn't show up or don't live here and were unable to vote due to slack or just didn't care. Our area is particularly vulnerable to that exploitation-far more so than other communities. The district knows those irregularities and demographics well. They also knew they won't be able to do this a year from now.

Taxpayer/voter anger has a lot to do with fair play. We will all agree that life's not fair, but rigging an election to attract the least amount of voters is underhanded and conniving. In fact, it is deplorable.

A 27% turnout is sickening.

This is not a game where you seek out some obscure rule or law and exploit it with the intent of defeating an adversary. This is not golf or bocce ball. This is supposed to be government ruled by the people and for the people. And good sportsmanship dictates that you make it as accessible to the widest array of participants as possible.

This did not happen here. Sadly, it could have. Most certainly it should have. The district should be ashamed of themselves for the way they conducted themselves and this election. Thankfully, there are those that understand the spirit of the law, rather than the rule of law. Unfortunately, those folks don't work for the district.

I am a harsh critic of self seeking and bad governance. I offer no apologies for that. School district heads spend atrocious amounts of taxpayer money but sadly they are not elected or subject to voter approval. They are insulated from recall and because of that, they can pull stunts like this and get away with it. And retire. And have days dedicated to them.

I would gladly vote for: more teachers, more counselors, higher salaries for existing good teachers, and to attract more highly-skilled teachers to the valley. I would vote for expanded teacher training. For improved arts/music curriculum in schools. I would gladly fork over my cash for those things that truly improve a child's education. But a geothermal heating system? A 7-figure video/security system? Funds for a new elementary school while we face declining enrollment? Oh please! Sadly, these are just more reasons why if there is any way I can swing it, my 2 young children will never walk thru the door of a Blaine County public school.

I can`t wait. There`s work for locals at the school.

At least this isn't about the wolf !
I never stop being dumbfounded by the hatred directed towards people who have lived there lives here in this Valley and State. You come into our State and Valley thinking you are better - then complain when you have to pony up for the education of our children. The disgust of an American Education is just another way to make you feel better about yourself. So did you get your education in the good ole USA?
The really sad thing about all of this is that only 27% of the voters voted. Maybe you should try to fix that rather than beat up on the locals and renters.
I remember when you could drive to Stanley without passing many cars and the hills where full of wildlife now they are full of your homes second or first doesn't matter you took the raw beauty and built your home now pay the piper and educate our children.

Bottom line is does the BCSD need this money to provide excellent education for our students? Is the BCSD currently and over the past 10 years providing excellent education for our students leaving no child behind? I will have to argue no on both counts. As I read the current student/adult ratio I do not understand why we, as the richest and most highly staffed district in the state, are leaving children behind. Charles, I appreciate that you admitted not being crazy about how the school district pushed this. However, I argue that you labeled who cannot likely spell and construct a reasonable sentence. A year ago, I addressed this very thing when my child was receiving an A in English but could not "construct a reasonable sentence". The teacher told me he was more concerned with the "Content" than the spelling, punctuation and construction of the sentence. Perhaps that is our problem. We are more concerned with the "Content" or the amount we are getting than what we are actually teaching these kids.

Throughout the last 10 years, I have seen several kids in our district who were passed on up into middle school and high school who only test at 3rd or 4th grade levels in Reading, English and Math skills. This is due to the lack of individual attention from and by some teachers to notice when these kids are having trouble and unwillingness to make an extra individual effort to help them. I recently experienced this with one of my children who tested among top of the class in ISAT Math testing in the spring of 2009. This fall, the same child was getting a D+ in Math with over 60% of the grades in the grade book at a C or below and was labeled a trouble-maker. Luckily, I was made aware of it (not by the teacher or the school) and this child has brought the grade up. I found that small, basic concepts were simply not understood yet nobody was catching it. All there needs to be is a little awareness when children are misunderstanding these concepts. In my opinion, with the adult/student ratio we currently have, this should not be happening. Consequently, these kids become labeled as 'trouble makers', especially those who do not have a strong parental support system at home. Several are now past ages where we can effectively help them only because they slipped through the cracks in the last 3-4 years. My point is that the best education requires time and awareness not a pretty classroom.

'Frustrated' comments that 207 voters voted 'yes' with 49 people in Carey employed by BCSD. Actually, it was 65% of 207 which means that 134 voted yes and 73 voted 'no'. I agree that with 49 being employed and bullied by BCSD it is a 'no wonder'.

I think the BCSD has actually hurt our kids, not just because of this levy but because of the way they handled it. Many, including those who voted 'yes', do not believe that the BCSD conducted this voting process fairly and ethically and I am among those people. Everyone knows that the BCSD did this in the manner they did because this is the only way they felt it would pass. What is the most unfortunate is in the end, I fear the kids will actually pay a big a price because many do not believe this was handled fairly. My example is the Land Trust. I voted against that but the majority voted 'yes'. It passed fairly. Therefore, I accept defeat and pay the tax without any disagreement what-so-ever. The reason for this upheaval is simply due to the shady tactics that was used for this levy.

Therefore, I do believe that we, as tax payers need to hold the BCSD responsible for how this money is spent. We need to demand that they use it insuring that no child is labeled or left behind. Lastly, the glass can be half full or half empty. This IS an educational experience for my children. With the number of people now who will not support school associated fund raisers now, I hope my kids will learn a valuable lesson (although this was not their doing). I hope they will see through this that the only way to achieve something is through honesty and fairness. They will learn that in the end, more damage than good can be done when we 'bully' or manipulate to get our way. I hope they will learn through my example in this posting that it is okay to stand up for what you believe in regardless of what their opinion is. I hope their generation will continue to enjoy the rights and freedoms we all enjoy including the freedom of speech that we are exercising.

I do not want my children reading the name-calling comments. This is a really childish way to get a point across to all who have done this. How do we teach our children not to call names when they disagree when even adults can't follow the same rule?

God Bless You All and God Bless America!

First and foremost, I applaud all of the comments here who have included their names for your personal integrity regardless of whether you are for or against the levy. In controversial issues like these, it is difficult to find the personal strength and integrity to stand up for what you believe without being anonymous as many of us fear the political consequences of our actions. None of us want long time friends to become enemies simply because of our differences in opinion. I too, have taken time to contemplate how to voice my concerns and whether or not to associate my name with these concerns at the risk of my children who are enrolled in the Blaine County School District, our friendships and our business. With that being said, I have decided to voice my concerns regardless of this risk because I want my children to learn (hopefully by example) to stand up for what they believe in regardless of political pressure or bullying. This concern is substantiated by the unnecessary name-calling all over these comments. If this is okay for adults, how can we teach our children to behave differently?

When I first learned of this levy, I was somewhat "on the fence". I believe strongly in education for ALL children, not only my own. We, like many caring businesses and individuals in this community, enthusiastically support not only school programs but also community organizations and families in need. My own children have benefited wonderful opportunities from the generous contributions caring people and businesses have given to them not only in the school programs they are involved in but also through Blaine County 4H and Rodeo programs. I have read and looked at this levy very carefully so that I was confident that my vote would not take away from any child's educational opportunity.

On the other hand, I was and am concerned about the state of our economy and those close friends of ours whom have no idea how they are going to even keep their house or business at no fault of their own. No one can argue that the market is down, yet I doubt there is a property tax payer who has seen this in their tax assessments. As someone mentioned to me, it will not be surprising if by next year, our country is in a straight hard depression. With all of us Americans under such a threat, it is hard to justify $60 million over the next 10 years for 'facilities' that are already among the best in the state. Many schools I visit do not even have functioning closing doors for the bathroom stalls.

The district pushed this as this will "lower" your taxes. The fact of the matter is voters were promised that the last taxation would last 10 years. Now, they are saying "10 years". In 2020, it will be another "10 years". I am afraid of what fear tactics the school district will use at that time as my personal experience with the tactics used this time topped the unethical charts. Telephone calls were made to me at my home, at my business and on my cell phone by school district officials or levy committee members in an attempt to sway a "yes" vote out of me. In addition, teachers spoke to my children even to the point of one teacher threatening one of my children through saying "Your parents had better vote 'Yes' if they ever want to see a bus stop at their business again." I was greatly shocked and dismayed by this unethical 'bullying' by a teacher who is educating my children.

Due to the state of our economy and the people I personally know throughout this state who have no idea where their next penny is going to come from tomorrow, I was concerned about this levy. I fell off the fence two days before the vote when I attended a parents' meeting for a school function that one of my children is involved with. We were discussing an upcoming field trip to California. During this meeting, the advisor/teacher said that this department receives $10,000.00 every 3 years that is dedicated towards aiding in specific parts of an educational activity. The teacher said "we never use all of this money." Paid BCSD individuals exclaimed "Let's use it all! Why aren't we using it? I'm serious! Let's figure out how we can use ALL this money!" I give them the benefit of the doubt that they were joking. I must say, however, other property tax paying business owners, my husband and I, who are consistently supporting these functions, were not laughing. I was shocked by these comments that were vocalized by our school officials only two days before this levy vote. I commend the teacher in charge for his professionalism and dismissal of their brainstorming and comments on how to unnecessarily use ALL this money provided by the district.

Heaven forbid a second homeowner has to pay less than $160 a year to the local schools. I am a property owner and I have owned property in other counties. The taxes here are already lower than other places I have lived. It sounds like a lot of you should have played WRHS football. Then you would be a little more gracefull at loosing.

reply to hmmm
You think it is okay to teach and lead our children into an election based on smoke and mirrors and trickery? Or school district administration are cons, scammers, cads. Not what I want my children to be modeled after.

Considering all the negative comments, you would think the levy would have failed. As it turns out, a completely legal voting process allowed the majority of the caring registered voters in this county to pass it. Like it or not, it's done. That is how this county and country work. Next time try to mobilize support against it ahead of time. I applaud my fellow yes voters who are so patriotic they will sacrifice a small amount of their money to benefit the future generations who will serve and lead this fine country. That selfless nature is what will make this country prosper.

Let us all go back to our days in school......Did any of you voters ever attend a school as nice and as wonderful as the schools here in the WRV? I doubt it, even my catholic upbringing and catholic school was not a very modern or high tech or even a beautiful building. It was clean and functioning. ( Funded by the parents of students and the parishioners.) It was place we went to learn. Despite the plain building and small sports field I did receive an excellent education WITHOUT all the bells and whistles. Does it have to look like a club house? Do the teachers teach each and every one of our students in a better manner inside these clubhouses? Do the kids respect the schools because they are so pretty? NO they do not. Just go to the parking lot at the High school and take note of all the rubbish in the parking lot...students do not care...janitors do NOT care...teachers do NOT care and administration does NOT care. The schools uses trash pick up for punishment. But NOT during week days when their peers can see them.
I voted NO and encouraged everyone I came in contact with to vote NO...I guess I wasn't loud enough or my agenda misunderstood. After all "our taxes won't increase" they all said. While soccer moms and dads were pushing their agenda so junior could have a pretty place to learn. I voted NO. And even though it was still passed thanks to the sneaky way the election was held, the only way now I can fight it is to NOT participate with my own time and money ( besides the stealing of my daily tax dollars). NO games will I attend. NO cookie will I bake. NO memorial brick will I purchase. NO school function will I attend or support. NO book drives, NO gift wrap NO candy bars NO season sports pass. ALL of which I have done not only for my kids but the neighborhood kids and friends children. And foremost taking on a senior for his or her project NO WAY I will not do that again. Call me selfish, cold hearted, head in the sand, uneducated. Or call me what I really am...a property owning, business owning woman conned by the school district to get my hard earned money stolen against my will.
The school has made a mockery of the levy and it will be a line item budget in their books forever. Thanks Jim Lewis and Lonnie Barber.Enjoy your pensions, your benefits and your day.I double dare you to write back and tell us about your salary, your benefits, your pensions and your liberties we all pay for. I'll call you thieves, your Jim Lewis Day should be spent in the new Blaine County Jail that Walt built for " his friends and family". Because cons/thieves should be together.
P.S. My kids graduated from WRHS. Now their education has truly begun.

Let us all go back to our days in school......Did any of you voters ever attend a school as nice and as wonderful as the schools here in the WRV? I doubt it, even my catholic upbringing and catholic school was not a very modern or high tech or even a beautiful building. It was clean and functioning. ( Funded by the parents of students and the parishioners.) It was place we went to learn. Despite the plain building and small sports field I did receive an excellent education WITHOUT all the bells and whistles. Does it have to look like a club house? Do the teachers teach each and every one of our students in a better manner inside these clubhouses? Do the kids respect the schools because they are so pretty? NO they do not. Just go to the parking lot at the High school and take note of all the rubbish in the parking lot...students do not care...janitors do NOT care...teachers do NOT care and administration does NOT care. The schools uses trash pick up for punishment. But NOT during week days when their peers can see them.
I voted NO and encouraged everyone I came in contact with to vote NO...I guess I wasn't loud enough or my agenda misunderstood. After all "our taxes won't increase" they all said. While soccer moms and dads were pushing their agenda so junior could have a pretty place to learn. I voted NO. And even though it was still passed thanks to the sneaky way the election was held, the only way now I can fight it is to NOT participate with my own time and money ( besides the stealing of my daily tax dollars). NO games will I attend. NO cookie will I bake. NO memorial brick will I purchase. NO school function will I attend or support. NO book drives, NO gift wrap NO candy bars NO season sports pass. ALL of which I have done not only for my kids but the neighborhood kids and friends children. And foremost taking on a senior for his or her project NO WAY I will not do that again. Call me selfish, cold hearted, head in the sand, uneducated. Or call me what I really am...a property owning, business owning woman conned by the school district to get my hard earned money stolen against my will.
The school has made a mockery of the levy and it will be a line item budget in their books forever. Thanks Jim Lewis and Lonnie Barber.Enjoy your pensions, your benefits and your day.I double dare you to write back and tell us about your salary, your benefits, your pensions and your liberties we all pay for. I'll call you thieves, your Jim Lewis Day should be spent in the new Blaine County Jail that Walt built for " his friends and family". Because cons/thieves should be together.
P.S. My kids graduated from WRHS. Now their education has truly begun.

If anyone is interested in forming a group to challenge this Levy I would be happy to put in time, effort and even money to help. Any suggestions as to how to proceed, meet, organize? Should we build a web site? Write your ideas here and we'll see how to get this done. I am totally appalled with the way this was done. Let's figure this out!

I'm happy it passed. It's a good deal for the district. I'm not crazy about the way they pushed it, but it doesn't change the fact that this is good for the community overall. There's a few angry people in here, but it's clear most haven't read the levy. If they had they would know what they levy is for and why the levy is better than a bond. But anyone who has time to read and think about the levy can likely spell and construct a readable sentence too.

Mike. It is obvious you are not footing the bill for this like we are. I wonder what percentage of the only 27 percent that voted actually pay for this. Businesses and property owners are again paying based on the votes of those who do not have to. Bottom line is these kids don't need this money to get excellent education. Now we've taught them how to lie and cheat to get what they want.

This entire matter was handled in an extremely unethical way. It distresses me deeply that our children are being taught by a school district so devious and corrupt. I want the best for our children, and would have been enthusiastically in support of a levy for a specific purpose. This ridiculous vague expenditure is an outrage. I wondered as well about the "electioneering" outside the polls by the Mountain Express. I had never seen one of the "hired regular election officials" running the polls in the past, and listened to them talk to the voters - BEFORE THEY VOTED - about the desired and expected outcome of this "special election." I am disgusted that Mr. Barber's desire - an election won through lack of voter participation - has met with success.

If this SLEAZE tactic worked for the school district it will also work for the Land Trust. Hell remember it won't raise our taxes, we can pay these the rest of our lives, or as long as we can afford our over taxed homes. We're at the tipping point on a fence, are we better off as home owners? Or renters?

What's truly appalling is the community that refuses to pay 40 cents/day to help ensure the best education for our children. I grew up in the valley, and attended the local schools. These attitudes were even more prevalent back then, too, but I thank my parent's generation for pushing aside the ignorance and selfishness as and building the school system we have now. Now, I and my generation are back in the community moving things forward, and thankfully out-voting the small minded and selfish who would rather keep pennies in their pocket and not invest in our children't future.

It is one of the great paradoxes that the relatively uneducated support education less than the more educated, consequently reinforcing the socioeconomic conditions they live under.

This is appalling. I am extremely disappointed in the school board for the sneaky way they put this levy through. There were no signs saying 'vote here' as you would normally see. Even when you walk into the school to vote, it really looked like business as usual as there were no signs saying 'vote today'. This is really unfortunate. First, many of the voters don't even pay this tax. Second, the businesses will foot most the bill. This is ridiculous. Freedoms are lost in this country and now it we loose freedoms through rigged systems now in our school district. This is very upsetting.

Blaine County residents, you've been screwed! The School Dist. got their scam through, only 27% of the registered voters showed up, and that's EXACTLY what they wanted! I wouldn't be supprised if this vote was rigged from the outset.
Ask questions! Who actually counted the vote? Were there outside observers?
They put this through as a levy so they would only need 55% instead of 66 2/3% and they did it 5 days before the general election!
We should rename the Blaine County School Board..............The Blaine County Fascist Indoctrination Board!