TO THE EDITOR

Last week's headline article announced public hearings set to discuss intended education tax increases in Lincoln County of 15.53%. Also, on page 8, a five-year history of the county tax digest and tax levies was provided, indicating a proposed increase in 2008 education taxes of 22.71%. I'm sure the difference in these two figures can be explained, but in either case this is an extra-ordinary increase in taxes.

We are all aware of the difficulties in our economy at this time. For example, the state is having to reduce its budget (which I'm sure we will hear about in the discussion of education taxes); many businesses are having to scale back; increasing energy prices and decreasing housing values are heavily impacting consumers, and the federal government continues to take on obligations in the housing/credit crisis that will likely cost tax payers (ie, us) tens of billions of dollars. Some heads are rolling (probably not enough) and lots of things are being investigated for justification.

And then, right here at home, the Board of Education is intending to increase taxes from 15 - 22% in this difficult year! Hopefully they are also intending to justify this increase on the basis of expected educational results, rather than simply listing "required" items of increased expenditure, as is usually done. Also, hopefully they are intending to show the cost reductions they have made in order to keep expenditures at a reasonable level in relation to educational results and in comparison with other counties' systems. If they are not currently intending to provide such justification, hopefully questions from attendees at the hearings will prompt them to do so.

JB MATHEWS