Referendum meetings

Last night was the first public meeting regarding the upcoming referendum in which Fairmont Area Schools will ask voters for an increase in per pupil unit taxing authority.

Three people came.

It isn't a reflection on this referendum or superintendent or anything else. I have never been to a referendum meeting (and I have been to A LOT of referendum meetings in this line of work) where more than a handful of people have come.

And yet, every story I post on this topic is flooded with commenters, some who ask very good questions. Why do you ask random people on the internet, but won't come before the "experts" on the situation and ask them. Informed voting is more than a right, it is a responsibility. If you have questions, the district has gone out of their way to make it easy to answer them, and yet, very few people show up.

I have heard people say they aren't interested in hearing the rhetoric, but the meetings are largely question and answer. Don't feel like your question is too basic — school finance is very confusing. Don't feel like you concerns aren't going to make a difference — I have seen changes made based on one person's influence.

I know we are all busy — I had to miss my husband's birthday party to attend the most recent meeting — but don't complain that you are upset with the voting if you don't take steps to fully understand it.

We owe it to each other, our neighbors, to make an informed vote. Our children, our grandchildren, our property taxes, will be affected by what we collectively think. Let's make sure it is the best decision for our community.