I was told by someone recently that I am taking away from her children by homeschooling. Huh? I was really stunned and asked her to explain. She was happy to explain her position that the local school has less money because my kids are not there to bring the money set aside for them to the local school. She feels that because of budget cuts in this state, all homeschoolers should return their kids to school so that more money will come to the school, thus benefiting her children.
Well, let's think about this. We each pay our property taxes, right? When I look on my property tax bill I see the same amount of money goes towards the local schools, including community colleges. So, my question is where do my taxes go if not to the school? I pay the same taxes as everyone else. Shouldn't that money go to the local school where we live?
After we talked for awhile, the woman was a little bit perplexed. She was sure that her position was correct, but my statements had now made her think...where do homeschooler's taxes go? Who is pocketing these tax dollars? The same applies for people without children. They pay property taxes and the local schools do not automatically get the money. The testing system decides where the money goes.
I pay my taxes AND pay to educate my children myself. I do not get any tax benefits or tax breaks for homeschool curriculum. In our state, the schools get $9500 per student, per year (source click here). I can tell you I DO NOT spend that much per child. I spend about $500 per child, per year...and that includes fieldtrips, clubs, science experiments, etc. (Are you wondering why you are asked for so many supplies yet?)
So tell me...whose child is the greater tax burden?
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Wow I am surprised, she was brave enough to even say anything not knowing you very long but I totally agree with what you say.
ReplyDeleteI've had this conversation before actually. We live in a very small rural town. The classes average around 17 or 18 students. In our school the government gives the school money based on their enrollment numbers. They are assessed this number once in the fall and once in the spring. That's why the schools in our area are crazy about attendance numbers. Also crazy about getting as many people enrolled in school as possible. We literally do hurt our school because we are not enrolled. We eliminate funding for four students by homeschooling. This money is spread out throught the students and the "system" in our school. Are we responsible because an aide was cut because of not enough funding? Actually yes. I know this becuase dh was on the school board and then didn't run again when we were homeschooling. That's just how it is in Idaho, I don't know about Arizona. AND, in bigger schools your choice doesn't effect the schools as drastically as the small ones.
ReplyDeleteFodder for thought. But yes, we still all pay the same amount of taxes. Regardless, it comes down to doing what's right for your family.
The smaller the amount of students, the lower the 'overhead' should be right? Our home educating shouldn't make a huge difference...unless, they just want to be mad they don't get $9,500 per student. I'm mad I don't get any kind of a kick back. I'd never thought about those who never had kids but are still taxed on schools...doens't seem right. Either way, it's a messed up system and I fear for what's ahead. I'm SO glad I pulled my kids out when I did, but I worry for my nieces, nephews, and friends kids who are going to be shoved into schools w/ reciculously sized classes & given little supplies. Where's all the money going? $9,500 seems really high to me.
ReplyDeleteThere are several government systems that are broken, but in this instance, the system that is broken is how the money is distributed. I am actually helping the system by homeschooling. The government gets an "extra" $19,000 each year because they are not spending that money to educate my kids.
ReplyDeleteIdahosutters - I do not know how Idaho works, but I still feel homeschoolers benefit society and the local schools by not being a burden to tax dollars. We are helping by not expecting society to pay to educate our children.