Randy, I've known you longer than almost anyone on this forum and I have always respected your views on various subjects. I want to put a different light on the funding issue. First, I think a big problem is taxpayers not trusting the local school board. Our school board in Manhattan has told us for the past year, "we cut 1 million dollars from the budget." (We have an independent paper called the Free Press.) In this weeks issue, the paper stated we didn't cut 1 million but in fact we increased approx. 3 million. Who do we believe? Second, we are closing two elementary schools for next year to save $ plus we are losing students. We are losing students because of the taxes and affordable housing in Manhattan. Many people work in Manhattan but live out of the district. If property taxes and the cost of housing remains as it is, I see Manhattan losing even more students. We have lost over 500 students in the last two yrs!! I work with approx 45 people, only three have kids in the Manhattan district. It is cheaper to drive from Clay Center, Wamego, Riley,etc than to live in Manhattan. My point is, most people in this community are taxed out. I think school districts need to more accountable before any tax increase. Before we yell at the state level, we should be checking at the local level.