In a climate of massive national inflation, a locally declining property and business tax base from a declining population, the Fredonia school board’s advocacy of a 10% school tax increase is irresponsible and impudent.

Why are capital expansion projects being pushed under these circumstances, in addition to considering the fact that student enrollment is likely 1,000 less in enrollment since the mid 1980s. The only proposals that should be pushed are school consolidation and shared services under these economic and demographic realities.

New York state in general has a big problem that is crushing our local communities.

There is a migratory economic outflow that is exiting the state for a more hospitable business and tax climate. The people left behind continue to bear an increasing tax burden left by this deficit.

Having the people who stay behind to absorb this burden is one thing, but to invent ways to increase the burden even more, such as this Fredonia Central School Capital Project is fiscally reprehensible and unsustainable.

The recent colorful mailing from the school district could be labeled deceptive or at least misleading with the movie-like banner in huge font shouting “tax impact equals one time increase.”

It’s playing with words. Do taxpayers realize the 10%-plus amount will be paid each and every year for at least 17 years until the project is paid, in addition to the yearly increase of the regular budget every May?

Do the math.

The mailing states an “average” yearly amount, but for many residents that equates to well over $10,000-plus. Furthermore, is it within the superintendent’s job description to lobby a capital project? His front page message states this multi-million dollar project “will help all students and adults become their greatest selves,” as well as “build upon the innovative, dynamic, and global experiences we offer students.”

What do these tired and overused words even mean? How did money ever make someone their greatest self? That kind of achievement comes from intangible and higher means, and as far as teachers are concerned, that is communicated through their character each and every day in the classroom.

What’s noticeably absent in the proposal is no mention of according to state tests, less than 50% of students are proficient in reading and math.

This monstrous tax increase can only make sense to some of those installed in the public sector who benefit from increased taxation as they plan their future Florida retirement residences funded by their New York State taxpayer pensions.

And herein lies the problem in New York State. The imbalance of public funded government jobs (with guaranteed salaries and benefits) to private sector jobs has shifted the voting interests to the former. This a form of mobocracy.

Residents simply can’t afford it.

William Burns is a Fredonia resident.