2010 Lebanon Community Schools Referendum
The Whole Truth

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The Lebanon School Board approved a $40 million capital projects referendum for the November 2010 ballot. To support the referendum, the Support Lebanon Students Political Action Committee (SLSPAC) has a website at http://www.supportlebanonstudents.com/Home_Page.php. Both the Lebanon School Board and SLSPAC have merely been advocates for the dreams and schemes of the Lebanon Schools administration and the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee. To provide voters The Whole Truth about the 2010 Lebanon Community Schools Referendum, Watchdog Indiana has developed this web page.

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The following $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum question will appear on the November 2 ballot of every voter who lives within the Lebanon Schools district: 

"Shall Lebanon Community School Corporation enter into a lease to finance the renovation of and improvements to Lebanon High School, Lebanon Middle School, Central Elementary School, Harney Elementary School, Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School, Perry-Worth Elementary School, the Service Center, the Transportation Center and the Administration Center (the Project"), which Project is estimated to cost not more than $40,000,000 and is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service by a maximum of $0.6624 per $100 of assessed value?
YES                                                                                    NO"

The SLSPAC is disturbed because the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance properly includes the phrase "is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service" in the Referendum question. The annual property tax bill for the average $90,900 Lebanon home will go down $85 for 2012 through 2017, $129 for 2018 through 2020, and $178 for 2021 through 2023 if the Referendum does NOT pass. If the Referendum does pass, property taxes will increase OUTSIDE the 1% homeowner property tax cap each year from 2012 through 2023.

Why is the SLSPAC disturbed by these simple facts? They think if people go to the polls and read the accurately worded Referendum question, they are much less likely to vote YES.

The SLSPAC pretends that foregoing a tax decrease is somehow not a tax increase.

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Any community organization claiming to educate voters about the 2010 Lebanon Community Schools Referendum is not getting the job done if they invite only the SLSPAC to make a presentation - Watchdog Indiana should also be invited to make certain there is a balanced presentation.

Taxpayers deserve The Whole Truth. The number of Lebanon students receiving free lunches/textbooks has steadily increased from 33% to 38% to 39%. The parents of these students (and retirees on a fixed income) cannot afford to have their property tax or monthly rent payment increased at this time of Great Recession to support an extensive nice-to-have high school renovation.  

The Whole Truth FACTS about the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum are listed below.

SUMMARY

Watchdog Indiana is a non-profit, non-connected, and non-party advocate for good government that focuses on the state and local tax burden of working families. Public policies and candidates are identified as Taxpayer Friendly if they are results-oriented, compassionate, and fiscally conservative. The Lebanon Schools Construction Projects Referendum is NOT Taxpayer Friendly.

The Referendum would cost property tax payers almost $65 million in combined principal and interest payments. Interest, architect, engineer, and legal costs would account for HALF of the combined Referendum payments. The Lebanon High School Two-Story Classroom Addition would cost $10.4 million. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades at the high school and Central Elementary School would cost $8 million and $1.7 million respectively; and temperature controls at the other school facilities would total $1.065 million. Other high school renovations would cost almost $7.3 million, and over $1.8 million would be needed to replace the high school roof. Roof replacement at the new Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School would cost $940,000. Security cameras at all schools would cost almost $1.1 million. Entryway changes at Lebanon Middle School and the high school would cost $250,000 and $240,000 respectively.

If the Referendum does NOT pass, annual property taxes for the average Lebanon homeowner (who lives in a home valued at $90,900) will go down $85 for 2012 through 2017, $129 for 2018 through 2020, and $178 for 2021 through 2023. In this time of Great Recession, where the number of Lebanon students receiving free lunches and textbooks has steadily increased from 33% to 38% to 39%, this property tax reduction can keep some Lebanon citizens from having to make terrible choices between nutritious meals, life-enhancing medications, and keeping their home.

Lebanon working families are trying to recover from the nation's longest recession since the Great Depression. A more fair and affordable tax burden could be part of this recovery if voters pass Public Question #1 on November 2 to amend the Indiana Constitution to (1) make the 1% - 2% - 3% property tax caps permanent and (2) protect homeowner property tax deductions from legal challenge. If the Constitutional Amendment does NOT pass, Lebanon homeowners will be left with disappearing property tax protection on top of bond payments for costly construction projects. A prudent voter will be cautious about supporting any Lebanon Schools referendum UNTIL and UNLESS the Constitutional Amendment is passed.

Referendum supporters consistently fail to reveal that the property taxes necessary to support the Referendum construction projects would NOT be subject to the 1% homeowner property tax cap. The maximum 2021 through 2023 property tax bill for the average Lebanon home would be 20% more than the 1% cap if the Referendum passes. The proposed Referendum bond issue would be structured so that repayment is scheduled to take place in 13 years where the new debt is phased in over time in such a way to keep the overall rate stable by replacing the retiring current debt with new debt. This proposed repayment scheme would keep the overall school property tax rate stable ONLY if there are no other new school capital projects the next 13 years. Since 1950, our schools have never gone more than 7 years without a major capital project. Passing the Referendum would increase the school property tax rate because additional school capital projects are likely before 2023.

In this time of Great Recession, the only acceptable reason to pass the Referendum would be a realistic expectation of an improved education outcome. The marginal education improvements that MIGHT result from the Lebanon High School renovation and expansion do NOT justify Referendum passage.

The following renovations are supposed to be necessary for our high school to achieve good education outcomes: (1) SMART Boards installation in academic classrooms, (2) additional Media Center computers, (3) larger classrooms for better collaborative learning.

The SMART Board is an interactive, electronic whiteboard that claims to reach students with a variety of learning styles to enhance student engagement, learner motivation, and knowledge retention. A classroom at Lebanon High School has been equipped with the SMART Board technology, and the effectiveness of this pilot project should be evaluated at the end of this school year BEFORE passing the Referendum to install this technology in all high school classrooms. Also, a prudent voter needs to know if there is a lot of reputable research showing that SMART Boards can be expected to SIGNIFICANTLY improve education outcomes so more of our high school graduates can successfully pursue a college education.

The Lebanon Schools Administration contends that more computers are needed in the high school Media Center to "enhance its technology." At the end of last December, the school corporation cash balance was $8.7 million including a Rainy Day Fund Balance of $1.9 million. Because taxpayers provide more than $3 million in capital projects funding each year, there is plenty of money available for more Media Center computers WITHOUT the Referendum.

Referendum supporters contend that 44 high school classrooms are needed to provide sufficient space for collaborative learning where students form groups of 2 to 4 students. Reliable projections show that our high school enrollment in 2013 will not be much more than in 2003. Our existing 40 high school classrooms can absorb the small projected enrollment increase without passing the Referendum to provide 48 classrooms that are little more roomy. Some also believe good teachers can effectively conduct collaborative learning in our existing high school classrooms.

Better overall education results could be obtained WITHOUT passing the Referendum if volunteer community resources were used to provide mature homework partners for all first, second, and third grade students. High school students would be better prepared to learn if they mastered language arts and math before the fourth grade in an environment where the community clearly signaled that education is highly valued. The Stokes Elementary Kids At the Table after-school program is a really good step in the right direction that, if more widely implemented, would ultimately achieve much better results than SMART Boards, more computers, and larger classrooms.

Realistic student enrollment projections do NOT justify the expense of building eight new classrooms so the high school can accommodate 47% more students. Official projections show that the total school corporation enrollment of 3,471 in 2013 will be almost the same as the actual enrollment last year AND six years ago. Our school corporation is not growing.

With these facts in mind, why is a $10.4 million Two-Story Classroom Addition included in the Referendum? The answer to this question is suggested by the following statement included on the Referendum supporters’ website: "We need to be able to attract the RIGHT new residents to our community, young professionals and families who will pay to purchase homes and support our community." A number of our school personnel and Referendum supporters are also "investors" and "stakeholders" in the developer-dominated Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee. One of the overriding goals of this Committee is to get high-income families to move to Lebanon. They wrongly believe a "gateway" high school with all the "bells and whistles" will attract these high-income families to our community.

One can certainly make the case that our Lebanon teachers are better than Zionsville teachers. The percent of Lebanon students passing the spring ISTEP+ tests for BOTH English/Language Arts and Mathematics in Grades 3-8 increased from 70.05% in 2009 to 75.14% in 2010 in spite of the fact that 39% of Lebanon students received free lunches. Even though only 5% of Zionsville students received free lunches, the percent of Zionsville students passing both tests only improved from 86.51% to 87.83%. However, no matter how good our Lebanon teachers may be, a new family is likely to choose the Zionsville "B+" education outcome with 5% free lunches over the Lebanon "Solid C" education outcome with 39% free lunches. Also, the 12% percent of Lebanon students in Gifted and Talented Education does not compare favorably to 29% in Zionsville, 26% in Western Boone, and 23% in Sheridan.

Furthermore, a new family is not likely to choose our Lebanon schools because our high school ranks from second to fourth in the county for each of the following categories: Advanced Placement Tests With a Score of 3, 4, or 5; Average Scholastic Aptitude Test Score; Academic Honors Diplomas; Core 40 Diplomas; Graduates Pursuing College Education; Graduation Rate. Our school system can devise no public relations campaign effective enough to overcome the adverse comparison facts readily available to any new families selecting a Boone County school system.

Referendum supporters point out that the timing of the proposed capital projects coincides with historically low interest rates and a very competitive construction industry. The federal funds rate will remain low for the foreseeable future, and the favorable lending environment for school bonds will continue if the Referendum does NOT pass. It is not certain how long local construction costs will remain relatively low, but current low construction costs do not justify assuming more debt than necessary in this time of Great Recession.

Watchdog Indiana believes a NO vote on the Taxpayer Unfriendly Referendum is prudent because the Lebanon School Board would be encouraged to adopt a Taxpayer Friendly $10 million Bond Issue. Both the $10 million Bond Issue and the Referendum would provide just about the same energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system improvements at all schools. The same security improvements would also be made at all schools, and the roof at the new Stokes Elementary School would be replaced. Most importantly, the Taxpayer Friendly $10 million Bond Issue would fall UNDER the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit, and our below average ratio of student instructional expenditures to all other expenditures would improve.

Everyone is encouraged to thoroughly review this web page and the websites of those supporting the Lebanon Schools Construction Projects Referendum to get The Whole Truth. All pertinent information should be studied to make an informed voting decision. The Referendum vote is too important for the outcome to be manipulated by an emotional political campaign.

1. Property taxes will INCREASE outside the 1% homeowner property tax cap if voters pass the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

According to SLSPAC, the 13-year Referendum bond issue would be structured so "the total debt service tax rate will never exceed the 2009 debt service tax rate." SLSPAC does not reveal that bonds would be retired which fall UNDER the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit and replaced with bonds that are OUTSIDE the cap. The SLSPAC slide presentation on how this repayment scheme to replace retiring debt with new debt, which is NOT subject to the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit, will supposedly keep the school debt service property tax rate stable can be found at http://www.supportlebanonstudents.com/uploads/taxrateimpact.pps.

The following table reveals how much property taxes will increase OUTSIDE the 1% homeowner property tax cap each year for homes of various values IF the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum passes. The prudent voter cannot lose sight of the fact that his or her PROPERTY TAXES WILL GO DOWN by the amounts indicated in the table if the Referendum does NOT pass.

NOTE: Please send an E-mail to taxless3@comcast.net to request a PDF version and/or a Microsoft Publisher version of this table.

2. Slipshod Referendum costs data has been provided to the public and was used by the Lebanon School Board when it approved the Referendum.

Listed next is the Watchdog Indiana Costs Analysis of the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. This information was developed by analyzing pertinent data from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance website, the Lebanon Community School Corporation website and printed materials, the SLSPAC website and printed materials, and a LCSC reply to a Watchdog Indiana Freedom Of Information request.

Lebanon High School Two-Story Classroom Addition ($10,400,000)
Proposed Square Footage = 80,000
Construction Cost per Square Foot = $130.00
Cost = 80,000 square feet X $130.00 per square foot = $10,400,000

Lebanon High School Renovation ($17,600,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1956, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2002
Existing Square Footage = 240,000
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $73.33
$1,874,400 = Roof Replacement Cost = 240,000 square feet X $7.81 per square foot
$240,000 Entryway Change Cost = 240,000 square feet X $1.00 per square foot
$7,999,200 = Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Cost = 240,000 square feet X $33.33 per square foot
$230,400 = Security Cameras Cost = 240,000 square feet X $0.96 per square foot
$7,255,200 = Other Renovation Costs = 240,000 square feet X $30.23 per square foot for Building Zones, Technology Upgrade, Media Center Move, Administration Offices Consolidation, Wider Hallways, Courtyard Space Fill-in, Auditorium Storage Space Renovation, Enlarged Cafeteria, Parking Reorganization, and Energy-Efficient Windows Installation.

Central Elementary School ($1,790,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1950, 1989
Existing Square Footage = 51,000
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $35.10
$90,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$1,700,000 = Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Cost = 51,000 square feet X $33.33 per square foot

Lebanon Middle School ($1,090,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1995
Existing Square Footage = 250,000
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $4.36
$250,000 = Entryway Change Cost = 250,000 square feet X $1.00 per square foot
$240,000 = Security Cameras Cost = 250,000 square feet X $0.96 per square foot
$600,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School ($940,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 2003
Existing Square Footage = 96,000
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $9.79
$750,000 = Roof Replacement Cost = 96,000 square feet X $7.81 per square foot
$140,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$ 50,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

Perry-Worth Elementary School ($330,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1964, 1995
Existing Square Footage = 75,000
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $4.40
$110,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$220,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

Harney Elementary School ($260,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1956, 1962, 1989, 1998, 2001
Existing Square Footage = 75,000
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $3.47
$110,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$150,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

Service Center ($77,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1966, 1968
Existing Square Footage = 6,800
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $11.32
$60,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$17,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

Administration Center ($75,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1998
Existing Square Footage = 6,200
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $12.10
$60,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$15,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

Transportation Center ($63,000)
Year Constructed/Renovated - 1966, 1968
Existing Square Footage = 5,400
Renovation Cost per Square Foot = $11.67
$50,000 = Security Cameras Cost
$13,000 = Temperature Controls Cost

"Soft" Construction Costs ($7,375,000)

Interest Costs ($24,983,364)

The $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum would cost property tax payers almost $65 million in combined principal and interest payments. Interest and "soft" costs (including architect, engineer, and legal fees) would account for half of the combined Referendum payments.

The unneeded Lebanon High School Two-Story Classroom Addition would cost $10.4 million. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades at LHS and Central Elementary School would cost $8 million and $1.7 million respectively; and temperature controls at the other school facilities would total $1.065 million. Other LHS Renovations would cost almost $7.3 million, and over $1.8 million would be needed to replace the LHS roof. Roof replacement at the new Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School would cost $940,000. Security cameras at all schools would cost almost $1.1 million. Entryway changes at Lebanon Middle School and LHS would cost $250,000 and $240,000 respectively.

Taxpayer money can be saved by voting NO against the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum so the Taxpayer Friendly $10 million Bond Issue in Fact #3 (which would be WITHIN the 1% homeowner property tax cap) can be considered by the Lebanon School Board.

Bob Taylor, Lebanon School Superintendent (TaylorB@leb.k12.in.us), and Michele Thomas, Lebanon School Board President (thomasmm@leb.k12.in.us), are challenged to provide corrections to the proposed $10 million Bond Issue and the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum Costs Analysis. Failure to provide corrections will be an admittance that the Watchdog Indiana costs data is accurate.

Corrections to the Watchdog Indiana costs data are not expected from Lebanon School officials because they did such a slipshod job of estimating costs for the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. The ONLY cost data considered by the Lebanon School Board on June 22 when they approved the Referendum was listed on half an 11"X17" page, and most of this data consisted of very non-specific square footage cost factors. Prudent taxpayers should vote NO on the Referendum and insist that our school officials do a lot better job in preparing a $10 million Bond Issue that would be within the 1% homeowner property tax cap.

3. A NO vote on the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum could result in the Lebanon School Board approving a Taxpayer Friendly $10 million Bond Issue to address NEEDS rather than WANTS

Lebanon High School Renovation ($3,531,250)
    $240,000 Entryway Change 
    $3,060,850 Mechanical Upgrade
    $230,400 Security Cameras 
Central Elementary School ($1,790,000)
    $90,000 Security Cameras
    $1,700,000 Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Upgrade
Lebanon Middle School ($1,090,000)
    $250,000 Entryway Change
    $240,000 Security Cameras
    $600,000 Temperature Controls
Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School ($940,000)
    $750,000 Roof Replacement
    $140,000 Security Cameras
    $ 50,000 Temperature Controls
Perry-Worth Elementary School ($330,000)
    $110,000 Security Cameras
    $220,000 Temperature Controls
Harney Elementary School ($260,000)
    $110,000 Security Cameras
    $150,000 Temperature Controls
Service Center ($77,000)
    $60,000 Security Cameras
    $17,000 Temperature Controls
Administration Center ($75,000)
    $60,000 Security Cameras
    $15,000 Temperature Controls
Transportation Center ($63,000)
    $50,000 = Security Cameras Cost
    $13,000 = Temperature Controls Cost
"Soft" Construction Costs ($1,843,750)

This $10 million Bond Issue that focuses on NEEDS will eliminate the following costly WANTS from the extravagant $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum: Lebanon High School two-story classroom addition, enlarged LHS classrooms, LHS building zones, LHS technology upgrade, LHS media center move, LHS administration offices consolidation, wider LHS hallways, LHS courtyard space fill-in, LHS auditorium renovation to add storage space, enlarged LHS cafeteria, LHS parking reorganization, LHS energy-efficient windows installation. It will continue to be necessary to rely on roof patching instead of roof replacement at Lebanon High School.

The $10 million Bond Issue and the $40 million Referendum will provide just about the same energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system improvements at all schools. (Note: the energy-efficient improvements at Lebanon High School are projected to save $180,000 each year, and improvements at the remaining schools are expected to save an additional $168,000 yearly.) The same security improvements will also be made at all schools, and the roof at the new Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School will be replaced. 

The $10 million Bond Issue is Taxpayer Friendly because it will fall UNDER the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit, while the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum is Taxpayer UNfriendly because it would create debt service payments OUTSIDE the 1% cap.

The $10 million Bond Issue proposed by Watchdog Indiana is based on cost data that is just as reliable as the cost data used for the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum approved by the Lebanon School Board.

There was an "exchange" with Michele Thomas, Lebanon School Board President (thomasmm@leb.k12.in.us), during the October 22, 2010, taping of a "What's Up Boone County" program that will be broadcast October 30 on RadioMom 91.1FM. Ms. Thomas repeated the assertion that the figures used to estimate the costs in the $10 million Bond Issue favored by Watchdog Indiana are not based on any data or professional opinion from an engineer, architect, economist, or educator.

Ms. Thomas did not dispute that the hard construction figures in the $10 million Bond Issue are identical to the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum with the exception of Lebanon High School. However, she made the point that allocating $3,060,850 to a Mechanical Upgrade at LHS will not achieve the desired energy savings because the existing windows are not energy-efficient. Watchdog Indiana pointed out that the so-called professional data provided by the Lebanon Schools administration in response to a public records access request is frustrating because it does not contain specific cost data for the energy-efficient windows replacement and most of the other proposed LHS renovations. Ms. Thomas retorted that specific and detailed cost data from professionals has indeed been obtained and considered by the Lebanon School Board.

Later on October 22, Watchdog Indiana hand-delivered the following public records access request to Bob J. Ross, Lebanon Community School Corporation Executive Director of Operations:

Pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3), I would like to inspect during your regular business hours all documentation supporting the following projected hard construction costs referenced in the June 22, 2010, Board of School Trustees of the Lebanon Community School Corporation meeting minutes: Lebanon High School $28,000,000; Lebanon Middle School $1,090,000; Central Elementary School $1,790,000; Harney Elementary School $260,000; Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School $940,000; Perry-Worth Elementary School $330,000; the Service Center $77,000; the Transportation Center $63,000; and the Administration Center $75,000.

Background information: This very similar public records access request was submitted previously on October 4, 2010. During a taped RadioMom program earlier today, Michele Thomas (Lebanon Board of School Trustees President) stated that detailed costs documentation is available that is not included on the http://www.finplaneducation.net/the_whole_truth.htm web page. Specifically, she stated that there is a cost estimate available for replacing the windows at Lebanon High School with energy-efficient windows. I wish to inspect all hard construction costs data (NOT just limited to the LHS windows replacement) that was not provided in response to the prior October 4 public records access request.

Mr. Ross promptly provided the following written reply to the Watchdog Indiana public records access request:

Your request for information has been received and this is in response to your request. Due to our office being closed next week I am providing this response on the same day of your request so that you can be assured you have all the information which is legally due to you without delay. In the discussion we had this morning on the telephone I indicated to you there is no additional Schmidt & Associates (or any other firm) printed documents concerning the hard cost estimates for the proposed L.C.S.C. projects. The spread sheet which was provided to you from your October 4, 2010 request is the only document with a hard cost breakdown estimate.

The ONLY cost data considered by the Lebanon School Board on June 22 when they approved the Referendum was listed on half an 11"X17" page, and most of this data consisted of very non-specific square footage cost factors. Ms. Thomas cannot truthfully disparage the $10 million Bond Issue because its cost data is no less reliable than the Referendum cost data. Prudent taxpayers should vote NO on the Referendum and insist that our school officials do a lot better job in preparing a $10 million Bond Issue that would be within the 1% homeowner property tax cap. Careful and better-informed decisions can be made on how to best spend the $3,531,250 allocated for Lebanon High School Renovation in the $10 million Bond Issue proposed by Watchdog Indiana.

4. Taxpayer money can be saved by replacing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum with a $10 million Bond Issue bond issue to improve energy efficiency at all schools, make building security improvements at all schools, and replace the roof at the new Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School. 

SLSPAC claims that passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum is justified because savings from renovations to improve energy efficiency will increase funds available for classrooms. The energy-efficient portion of the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum includes heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system improvements at all schools. Energy-efficient windows at Lebanon High School would also be provided. The energy-efficient improvements at LHS are projected to save $180,000 each year. Improvements at the remaining schools are expected to save an additional $168,000 yearly.

The SLSPAC astoundingly touts the $348,000 annual energy savings as justification to pass the entire $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. This assertion is astounding because it would take 115 years to pay back $40 million at $348,000 a year. Anyone in the business world who tells their boss that a capital project with a 115-year payback period is worthy of celebration would be kicked out of the room - the Lebanon School Board is different because they cheerfully approved the whole $40 million Taj Mahal project proposed by the Lebanon Schools Superintendent!

The SLSPAC proclaims that the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum bond issue will be structured to "wrap around" other previous bonds that are being paid down or paid off in such a way that "the total debt service tax rate will never exceed the 2009 debt service tax rate." What the SLSPAC does NOT tell you is that bonds would be retired which fall under the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit and replaced with Referendum bonds that are outside the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit. The average Lebanon homeowner (who lives in a home valued at $90,900) will pay $85 annual property taxes OUTSIDE the 1% cap for 2012 through 2017, $129 for 2018 through 2020, and $178 for 2021 through 2023.

The families of those 39% of Lebanon students receiving free lunches/textbooks (and retirees on fixed incomes) deserve to have their property tax burden or monthly rental payments lessened by a $10 million Lebanon Schools capital projects bond issue that falls UNDER the 1% homeowner property tax cap. Because this much $10 million Bond Issue would not be subject to referendum, the resulting debt service would fall UNDER the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit.

5. A renovated and expanded Lebanon High School will not attract high-income families to Lebanon.

The SLSPAC asserts that the referendum "makes our schools more competitive in attracting families and businesses." In his September 16 letter to The Lebanon Reporter, Lebanon Mayor Huck Lewis states "we need up-to-date, safe, energy-efficient schools to attract high-quality businesses and new residents to our city." Michele Thomas, Lebanon School Board President and SLSPAC Member, similarly states in her September 25 letter that "great school facilities along with our excellent staff and programs will help draw businesses and families to Lebanon."

These statements are codespeak to support the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee's desire for a "gateway" build-it-and-they-will-come high school to attract high-income families to Lebanon's failed I-65 annexation. 

Several SLSPAC "members" are also affiliated in some way with the Lebanon Community School Corporation. Lebanon Community Schools is listed a Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee "Investor" at http://www.lebanoncvc.org/CVC/Investors.html. Bob Taylor, LCSC Superintendent is listed as a VC "Stakeholder" at http://www.lebanoncvc.org/CVC/Stakeholders.html. Superintendent Taylor wrote a column in the November 17, 2009, The Lebanon Reporter "at the request of the Community Vision Committee." Lebanon Community Schools was the subject of a VC "Proud to Call It Home" flyer that appears to have been paid for by LCSC and North Park Community Credit Union. Although the VC does not list its officers on its website, it appears to be common knowledge that Superintendent Taylor is NOW taking a turn It as VC President. Furthermore, Robert L. Taylor and Jackie S. Taylor made a $275 contribution to the SLSPAC on September 3. There is a strong association between the VC, the LCSC, and the SLSPAC.

The following statistical overview compares the four Boone County school systems, and shows that a renovated and expanded Lebanon High School will do little to attract new families.

Note 1: The Passing Both statistics represent the percent of school corporation students passing the spring ISTEP+ tests for BOTH English/Language Arts and Mathematics in Grades 3-8 (see http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/2010/docs/Public_Report_Corp.xls).

Note 2: The remaining statistics are from the latest available Annual Performance Reports: http://newdew4.doe.state.in.us/SCHLSTATS/APRPT/2009/f0665.pdf, http://newdew4.doe.state.in.us/SCHLSTATS/APRPT/2009/f0630.pdf, http://newdew4.doe.state.in.us/SCHLSTATS/APRPT/2009/f0615.pdf, http://newdew4.doe.state.in.us/SCHLSTATS/APRPT/2009/f3055.pdf.

Lebanon Community School Corp.
2009 Percent of Students Passing Both ELA and Math
    2009 = 70.05%    2010 = 75.14%
Percent of Students Receiving Free Lunches/Textbooks
    2006-07 = 33%    2007-08 = 38%    2008-09 = 39%
Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education
    2006-07 = 10%    2007-08 = 12%    2008-09 = 12%
Percent of AP Tests with Score of 3, 4, or 5
    2006-07 = 45%    2007-08 = 29%    2008-09 = 38%
SAT Average Score
    2006-07 = 965    2007-08 = 965    2008-09 = 1001
Percent Academic Honors Diplomas
    2006-07 = 24%    2007-08 = 23%    2008-09 = 23%
Percent Core 40 Diplomas
    2006-07 = 69%    2007-08 = 65%    2008-09 = 69%
Percent of Graduates Pursuing College Education
    2006-07 = 70%    2007-08 = 68%    2008-09 = 62%
Graduation Rate
    2006-07 = 82.9%    2007-08 = 86.3%    2008-09 = 90.3%

Zionsville Community Schools
2009 Percent of Students Passing Both ELA and Math
    2009 = 86.51%    2010 = 87.83%
Percent of Students Receiving Free Lunches/Textbooks
    2006-07 = 4%    2007-08 = 4%    2008-09 = 5%
Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education
    2006-07 = 24%    2007-08 = 22%    2008-09 = 29%
Percent of AP Tests with Score of 3, 4, or 5
    2006-07 = 89%    2007-08 = 85%    2008-09 = 86%
SAT Average Score
    2006-07 = 1108    2007-08 = 1140    2008-09 = 1137
Percent Academic Honors Diplomas
    2006-07 = 56%    2007-08 = 61%    2008-09 = 59%
Percent Core 40 Diplomas
    2006-07 = 93%    2007-08 = 92%    2008-09 = 95%
Percent of Graduates Pursuing College Education
    2006-07 = 96%    2007-08 = 93%    2008-09 = 95%
Graduation Rate
    2006-07 = 94.9%    2007-08 = 96.4%    2008-09 = 96.5%

Western Boone Co. Com. School Dist.
2009 Percent of Students Passing Both ELA and Math
    2009 = 71.31%    2010 = 76.97%
Percent of Students Receiving Free Lunches/Textbooks
    2006-07 = 22%    2007-08 = 26%    2008-09 = 29%
Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education
    2006-07 = 12%    2007-08 = 26%    2008-09 = 26%
Percent of AP Tests with Score of 3, 4, or 5
    2007-08 = 12%    2008-09 = 9%
SAT Average Score
    2006-07 = 977    2007-08 = 972    2008-09 = 971
Percent Academic Honors Diplomas
    2006-07 = 38%    2007-08 = 40%    2008-09 = 40%
Percent Core 40 Diplomas
    2006-07 = 83%    2007-08 = 86%    2008-09 = 85%
Percent of Graduates Pursuing College Education
    2006-07 = 75%    2007-08 = 71%    2008-09 = 77%
Graduation Rate
    2006-07 = 92.3%    2007-08 = 92.6%    2008-09 = 93.2%

Sheridan Community Schools
2009 Percent of Students Passing Both ELA and Math
    2009 = 68.62%    2010 = 73.31%
Percent of Students Receiving Free Lunches/Textbooks
    2006-07 = 27%    2007-08 = 29%    2008-09 = 31%
Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education
    2006-07 = 6%    2007-08 = 14%    2008-09 = 23%
Percent of AP Tests with Score of 3, 4, or 5
    2006-07 = 8%    2007-08 = 32%    2008-09 = 15%
SAT Average Score
    2006-07 = 1030    2007-08 = 992    2008-09 = 1006
Percent Academic Honors Diplomas
    2006-07 = 35%    2007-08 = 31%    2008-09 = 31%
Percent Core 40 Diplomas
    2006-07 = 54%    2007-08 = 78%    2008-09 = 65%
Percent of Graduates Pursuing College Education
    2006-07 = 55%    2007-08 = 74%    2008-09 = 75%
Graduation Rate
    2006-07 = 85.4%    2007-08 = 72.7%    2008-09 = 85.8%

Statewide Averages
2009 Percent of Students Passing Both ELA and Math
    2009 = 61.32%    2010 = 66.02%
2008-09 Percent of Students Receiving Free Lunches/Textbooks = 44%
2008-09 Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education = 14%
2008-09 Percent of AP Tests with Score of 3, 4, or 5 = 46%
2008-09 SAT Average Score = 1003
2008-09 Percent Academic Honors Diplomas = 31%
2008-09 Percent Core 40 Diplomas = 74%
2008-09 Percent of Graduates Pursuing College Education = 76%
2008-09 Graduation Rate = 81.5%

One can certainly make the case that Lebanon's teachers are better than Zionsville's. The percent of Lebanon students passing the spring ISTEP+ tests for BOTH English/Language Arts and Mathematics in Grades 3-8 increased from 70.05% in 2009 to 75.14% in 2010 in spite of the fact that 39% of Lebanon students received free lunches. Even though only 5% of Zionsville students received free lunches, the percent of Zionsville students passing both tests only improved from 86.51% to 87.83%. However, no matter how good Lebanon's teachers may be, a new family is likely to choose the Zionsville "B+" education outcome with 5% free lunches over the Lebanon "Solid C" education outcome with 39% free lunches. Also, the 12% percent of Lebanon students in Gifted and Talented Education does not compare favorably to 29% in Zionsville, 26% in Western Boone, and 23% in Sheridan.

Furthermore, a new family is not likely to choose Lebanon's schools after comparing the Lebanon High School education outcomes with those of the other Boone County high schools.

(1) The 38% of LHS Advanced Placement Tests with a Score of 3, 4, or 5 does not compare favorably to 86% at Zionsville and 46% statewide.

(2) The LHS Scholastic Aptitude Test average score of 1001 does not compare favorably to 1137 at Zionsville.

(3) The 23% of LHS Academic Honors Diplomas does not compare favorably to 59% at Zionsville, 40% at Western Boone, 31% at Sheridan, and 31% statewide.

(4) The 69% of LHS Core 40 Diplomas does not compare favorably to 95% at Zionsville, 85% at Western Boone, and 74% statewide.

(5) The 62% of LHS Graduates Pursuing College Education does not compare favorably to 95% at Zionsville, 77% at Western Boone, 75% at Sheridan, and 76% statewide.

(6) The 90.3% LHS Graduation Rate is less than the 96.5% at Zionsville and 93.2% at Western Boone.

The Lebanon Community School System can devise no public relations campaign effective enough to overcome the adverse comparison facts readily available to any new families selecting a Boone County school system. It is easy to conclude that the sensible voter should be cautious about supporting the Lebanon Schools referendum because the high-income families that the Lebanon School Board and Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee want to attract at any cost are NOT likely to choose the Lebanon schools over the Zionsville schools. 

  The SLSPAC has no problem increasing the taxes or rental payments of those Lebanon families whose students receive free lunches/textbooks no matter how unlikely it is that a "gateway" high school with all the "bells and whistles" will attract high-income families to Lebanon.

6. We need constitutional property tax cap protection first.

The Lebanon School Board and the SLSPAC have consistently failed to reveal that if the $40 million capital projects referendum passes this November, the property taxes necessary to support the $40 million bond issue will NOT be subject to the 1% homeowner property tax cap.

Lebanon's taxpayers are trying to recover from the nation's longest recession since the Great Depression. An important part of this recovery - to keep Lebanon's taxpayers from having to make terrible choices between nutritious meals, life-enhancing medications, and keeping their home - is a more fair and affordable tax burden. 

The most important factor in establishing a more fair and affordable tax burden is Public Question #1 that voters statewide have the opportunity to pass this November to amend the Indiana Constitution to (1) make the 1% - 2% - 3% property tax caps permanent and (2) protect homeowner property tax deductions from legal challenge. No prudent taxpayer should consider the merits of any referendum that will establish a property tax obligation outside the property tax caps UNTIL and UNLESS the Constitutional Amendment is passed. Complete information about the Constitutional Amendment can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/caps_top_twenty.htm.

According to the SLSPAC Tax Calculator for the proposed $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum, the following annual property tax burdens will be created OUTSIDE the 1% homeowner property tax cap for the average Lebanon homeowner (who lives in a home valued at $90,900): $85 for 2012 through 2017, $129 for 2018 through 2020, $178 for 2021 through 2023. 

If the Constitutional Amendment does NOT pass, the "uniform and equal rate of property assessment and taxation" constitutional clause will allow the courts to overturn the legislative-only property tax caps and ELIMINATE homeowner property tax deductions. The Indiana General Assembly WILL also erode the property tax caps protection if the Constitutional Amendment does NOT pass. The average Lebanon homeowner will be left with disappearing property tax protection on top of a costly bond payment. Information on how past property tax protection has quickly disappeared can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/betrayal_incompetence.htm. 

To help ensure a more fair and affordable tax burden for Lebanon's taxpayers, the sensible voter should be cautious about supporting any Lebanon Schools referendum UNTIL and UNLESS the Constitutional Amendment is passed this November. If the Lebanon School Board cared about the tax burden of the economically stressed parents of their students, they would not have approved a costly capital projects referendum until AFTER the Constitutional Amendment in Public Question #1 passed this November.

7. The Lebanon Community School Corporation does not need to worsen its below average ratio of student instructional expenditures to all other expenditures. 

Legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2006 requires the Indiana Office of Management and Budget to report on the progress (or lack of progress) of Indiana school corporations in improving the ratio of student instructional expenditures to all other expenditures. The latest Student Instructional Expenditure Report is for the 2008-09 School Year and can be found at http://www.in.gov/omb/2567.htm.

The statewide Student Instructional Expenditures ratio (Dollars-to-the-Classroom) in 2008-09 was 57.8%, which trails the US average by 5 percentage points. The 2008-09 Student Instructional Expenditures ratio for the Lebanon Community School Corporation is less than both the state and national averages and is only 54.5%. Lebanon schools are ranked third in Boone County in the Student Instructional Expenditures ratio (behind Sheridan and Western Boone).

If the $40 million school capital projects referendum does NOT pass this November, Lebanon schools debt will start to be retired and taxpayers will get more for their money in the form of a better Student Instructional Expenditures ratio. The proposed referendum would just take more taxpayer dollars that are not directed to student instruction.

8. Passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum will increase the Lebanon Community School Corporation property tax rate because additional school capital projects are likely before 2023. 

IF the Lebanon schools debt is allowed to come off the books the next few years WITHOUT a new $40 million capital projects bond issue, the average Lebanon homeowner (who lives in a home valued at $90,900) will pay $85 less in annual property taxes dedicated to school debt service payments for 2012 through 2017, $129 less for 2018 through 2020, and $178 less for 2021 through 2023. 

The proposed $40 million capital projects bond issue is structured so that repayment is scheduled to take place in 13 years where the new debt is phased in over time in such a way to keep the overall rate stable by replacing the retiring current debt with new debt. This repayment scheme, which is NOT subject to the 1% homeowner property tax cap limit, will supposedly keep the overall school property tax rate stable.

The proposed repayment scheme for the $40 million capital projects bond issue will keep the overall school property tax rate stable ONLY if there are no other new capital projects undertaken by Lebanon's schools for the next 13 years. The following Lebanon Community School Corporation capital projects history shows there has been NO 13-year time period the past 60 years without a new capital project:

1950 Central Elementary School Construction
1956 Lebanon High School Construction
1956 Harney Elementary School Construction
1960's LHS Renovation
1962 Harney Renovation
1964 Perry-Worth Elementary School Construction
1966 Service Center Construction
1966 Transportation Center Construction
1968 Service Center Renovation
1968 Transportation Center Renovation
1970's LHS Renovation
1980's LHS Renovation
1989 Central Renovation
1989 Harney Renovation
1990's LHS Renovation
1995 Lebanon Middle School Construction
1995 Perry-Worth Renovation
1998 Harney Renovation
1998 Administration Center Construction
2001 Harney Renovation
2002 LHS Renovation
2003 Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School

Passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum will increase the Lebanon Community School Corporation property tax rate because additional school capital projects are likely before 2023.

9. The property tax savings that would result from NOT passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum will help offset future property tax and utility rate increases.

The property tax savings that would result from NOT passing the $40 million capital projects referendum will help offset the property tax increases and utility rate increases sought by the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee to support Lebanon's I-65 annexation and "gateways" scheme.

1. The Pay 2010 Total Property Tax Rate for those property owners living within the Lebanon city boundaries prior to the I-65 annexation is 2.72% more than if there were NO annexation. Center Township property owners that were included in the I-65 annexation pay 25.28% more and Perry Township property owners included in the annexation pay 38.48% more. These property tax increase details can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/lebanon_property_increases.htm.

2. Ostensibly to properly serve the I-65 annexation area, Lebanon will construct a new public safety building on Hall-Baker Road that will cost more than $2.25 million. Much of the cost of this new building will come from accumulated funds generated by the Lebanon Business Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. Also, Lebanon is planning to use the $2 million generated annually by its TIF District to help fund the nonsensical "gateways" construction at Lebanon's I-65 exits. IF Lebanon eliminated its TIF District instead of using it to help pay for the dreams and schemes of the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee, the property taxes of Lebanon's property owners would decrease almost 11%. Details about the Lebanon Business Park TIF District can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/lebanon_TIF_district.htm.

3. The Lebanon Business Park TIF District proceeds are not likely to be enough to fund the extravagant I-65 exit "gateways" desired by the Greater Lebanon Vision Committee. Lebanon is expected to increase property taxes to pay for a bond issue to provide the tens of millions of dollars that the unneeded "gateways" will cost.

4. The property tax savings that would result from NOT passing the $40 million capital projects referendum are particularly needed to help offset the alarming Lebanon utility rate increases that will be needed to provide the $20.7 million required to extend water and sewer service into Lebanon's I-65 annexation area by 2012. Supposedly, I-65 annexation utility rate increases were to be avoided by utilizing recoupment agreements from developers who would build 3,486 homes (with an average sales price of $145,000) and 40 commercial developments (with an average $18 million net assessed value) within the annexation area by 2019. There were supposed to be 439 new homes and 6 new commercial developments within the annexation area by now - NO new homes and NO new commercial developments have been built. Failure to realize the ridiculous growth projections within the I-65 annexation area will result in alarming Lebanon utility rate increases to extend water and sewer lines into the annexation area. Details about Lebanon's I-65 corridor annexation can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/I-65_corridor_annexation.htm.

10. Realistic Lebanon student growth projections do NOT justify the desired two-story classroom addition at Lebanon High School.

Watchdog Indiana challenges Lebanon Community School Corporation Superintendent Robert Taylor (TaylorB@leb.k12.in.us) to reveal the research behind his student enrollment projections or admit they are unfounded exaggerations intended to manipulate passage of the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

Listed next are the Total Lebanon Schools Student Enrollment and the Lebanon High School Student Enrollment:

Total Lebanon Schools Student Enrollment:
3,471 in 2012-13 (projected)
3,481 in 2011-12 (projected)
3,504 in 2010-11 (projected)
3,459 in 2009-10 (actual)
3,517 in 2008-09 (actual)
3,549 in 2007-08 (actual)
3,529 in 2006-07 (actual)
3,549 in 2005-06 (actual)
3,431 in 2004-05 (actual)
3,352 in 2003-04 (actual)
3,335 in 2002-03 (actual)

Lebanon High School Student Enrollment:
1,080 in 2012-13 (projected)
1,065 in 2011-12 (projected)
1,050 in 2010-11 (projected)
1,019 in 2009-10 (actual)
1,044 in 2008-09 (actual)
1,033 in 2007-08 (actual)
1,016 in 2006-07 (actual)
1,024 in 2005-06 (actual)
968 in 2004-05 (actual)
978 in 2003-04 (actual)
926 in 2002-03 (actual)

The actual student enrollments are from the 2009 Lebanon Community School Corporation Performance Report from the Indiana Department of Education at http://dew4.doe.state.in.us/SCHLSTATS/APRPT/2009/f0665.pdf and the 2004-05 Lebanon Community School Corporation Performance Report from the January 18, 2006, Lebanon Reporter.

On September 22, 2010, H. J. Umbaugh & Associates submitted to the Commissioner of Indiana's Department of Local Government Finance "the financial information regarding the tax rate impact listed on the ($40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum) ballot question." Part of the financial information was an exhibit showing the enrollment patterns within the Lebanon Community School Corporation. Along with the LCSC attorney (Kent Frandsen), Robert Taylor (LCSC Superintendent) and Charles Tait (LCSC Business Manager) were copied on the submission. See http://www.in.gov/dlgf/files/Umbaugh_Lebanon_Schools_001.pdf. The enrollment patterns exhibit is the source of the projected student enrollments.

The following paragraphs are taken from the October 1, 2010, Lebanon Reporter story under the headline Enrollment grows in Lebanon schools:

"Five years ago when (LCSC Superintendent) Taylor was expecting the major enrollment growth, he predicted a corporation actual enrollment of 4,000 students. And now, he said, they are just 462 students away from that total.

" 'I think that's easily going to be obtained in the next five years, before 2015,' he said.

"That prediction was factored into LCSC's building plans. If a $40 million referendum is approved by voters next month, Taylor said the corporation will have strong and viable schools up until 2030 - maybe even 2035."

LCSC student enrollment would have to increase by 529 (or 15%) after 2013 to reach 4,000 by 2015. Watchdog Indiana challenges Superintendent Taylor to reveal the research showing how this extraordinary student enrollment growth will be achieved. Failure to respond will be an admission that Superintendent Taylor is exaggerating future student enrollment to manipulate passage of the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

The SLSPAC claims that Lebanon High School needs a two-story classroom addition that would add 80,000 square feet to Lebanon High School's existing 240,000 square feet.

The 2009-10 Lebanon High School enrollment was 1,019. It is asserted that "Lebanon High School could serve 1,500 students with the proposed classroom addition and other renovated spaces." Realistic Lebanon student growth projections certainly do NOT indicate there will be any significant increase, much less a 47% increase, in the foreseeable future.

1. Lebanon's Planning and Zoning Department Director reported on May 7,2010, that 67 new single-family construction permits were issued in 2005, 35 in 2006, 36 in 2007, 20 in 2008, 5 in 2009, and 3 in 2010. Whatever new home construction that occurs in Boone County is not likely to happen in Lebanon to a significant extent any time soon.

2. Supposedly, 3,486 new homes (with an average sales price of $145,000) are supposed to be built within Lebanon's I-65 annexation area by 2019. If these extravagant growth projections were on target, there would today be 439 new homes within the annexation area. NO new homes have been built. There will be no significant Lebanon High School student growth from Lebanon's I-65 annexation area in the foreseeable future.

3. Student growth possibilities are diminished by the continuing outflow of some high-ability students to out-of-county schools. Also, the anticipated Central Indiana Academy charter school (which will be located in Boone County, see http://centralindianaacademy.squarespace.com/) is expected to soon open a high school that will also attract students away from Lebanon High School.

The desired two-story addition would add 8 classrooms to the existing 40 academic classrooms at Lebanon High School. One stated benefit of these additional classrooms is that special education teachers will have their own classrooms and no longer have to share open rooms with other teachers. This modest benefit dose NOT justify a $40 million referendum. Special education teachers can continue to efficiently share open rooms during the school day to save taxpayer dollars during this time of Great Recession.

Finally, the desired two-story addition is supposed to provide some "economies" because you get twice the interior square footage for the same roof and foundation expense. The added elevator expense is ignored, and the likelihood of potentially costly stairway falls is not considered.

11. Passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum in this time of Great Recession is NOT justified by the marginal education improvements that MIGHT result from the proposed Lebanon High School renovation and expansion.

The Lebanon School Board and SLSPAC claim, "The renovation of Lebanon High School is needed to meet the learning needs of 21st century students." The following three renovations are supposed to be necessary for LHS to achieve good education outcomes: (a) SMART Boards installation in academic classrooms, (b) additional Media Center computers, (c) larger classrooms for better collaborative learning.

(a) SMART Boards

The SMART Board is an interactive, electronic whiteboard that claims to reach students with a variety of learning styles to enhance student engagement, learner motivation, and knowledge retention. With a couple of mouse-clicks, a teacher is supposed to be able to lock and unlock applications, send and receive files to student "devices," get every student on the same webpage, and take a quick poll to see how many students understand the current topic. SMART Technologies ULC (http://www.smarttech.com/us) introduced the SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991, and reports that more than 1.7 million are installed worldwide in education, business, government and military settings.

Byron Ernest, Lebanon High School's reigning Indiana Teacher of the Year, was interviewed in the August 15 Indianapolis Star. He stated that his classroom is being used for a "triangulated SMART Boards" pilot project where "each is one-to-one with a Mac-Book computer and an iTouch, as well. So we're able to do a lot of things using technology to help better draw in information and make it very much like a college environment." When asked if students are responding well to the new technology, Byron replied, "Yes they are. We're all learning together as to the best way to do that, because I want them to be immersed in the technology and to use the technology, and it is not to be about me using the technology." In response to the question are there any major challenges that you've faced so far, Byron said, "For the year, my only major challenge so far has just been all the little tweaks done to make the technology. There's downloads on programs, and when you're downloading and pushing to 30 different computers and iTouches, you have little problems with that occasionally, where we've had to redo."

A prudent voter needs to know if there is a lot of reputable research showing that SMART Boards can be expected to SIGNIFICANTLY improve Advanced Placement Test and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores resulting in a greater number of Academic Honors and Core 40 diplomas so more Lebanon High School graduates can pursue a college education. Also, it is prudent to evaluate the effectiveness of the LHS SMART Board pilot project at the end of this school year BEFORE passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

(b) Media Center Computers

The Lebanon Schools Administration contends that more computers are needed in the Lebanon High School Media Center to "enhance its technology."

The Lebanon School Board recently approved the purchase of 120 Hewlett Packard laptop computers, four notebook computer security carts, and 16 wireless routers for $102,551 so ISTEP+ testing can be conducted online. On December 31, 2009, the Lebanon Community School Corporation had a cash balance of $8,690,873 including a Rainy Day Fund Balance of $1,881,700. LCSC receives more than $3 million in capital projects funding each year.

The Lebanon Community School Corporation has plenty of money available for more Media Center computers WITHOUT the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

(c) Larger Classrooms

SLSPAC contends that larger Lebanon High School classrooms are needed for "project-based learning." Project-based learning is a reference to collaborative learning where students in the classroom form groups of 2 to 4 students, discuss the topic being considered, and come back together as a class to present the group's conclusion regarding the topic.

Lebanon High School was constructed in 1956. LHS has been renovated five times, the last time in 2002. LHS has 40 academic classrooms. A Preliminary Base Facility Needs Study prepared early last year by Schmidt Associates contends that 44 classrooms are needed to provide sufficient space for LHS's student population. The $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum would increase the number of classrooms to 48.

The LHS student population has changed little the past 5 years: 1,024 in 2005-06; 1,016 in 2006-07; 1,033 in 2007-08; 1,044 in 2008-09, 1,019 in 2009-10. Even though the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum would increase the LHS capacity to 1,500 students, realistic growth projections indicate that the LHS student population will be little changed in the foreseeable future. There is no good reason that operating efficiencies such as the sharing of open rooms by special education teachers and four lunch periods should not continue at this time of Great Recession.

The $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum renovation and expansion would result in LHS classrooms that are a little larger in size. It MIGHT be slightly easier to conduct collaborative learning in these marginally larger classrooms. However, some contend that good teachers can effectively conduct collaborative learning in the existing LHS classrooms.

12. There are more effective - and much less costly - ways to achieve improved education outcomes in our school system WITHOUT passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

Most likely Referendum voters want the Lebanon Community School Corporation to be successful in achieving good education outcomes. Some of these voters might ask themselves what is the alternative to helping our students be better educated if the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum does not pass.

Good education outcomes are achieved in those communities where education is highly valued. Education is highly valued if volunteer community resources help provide mature homework partners for all first, second, and third grade students. Students are better prepared to learn all the way through their high school years if they master language arts and math before the fourth grade. Students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 who complete homework every school day under the effective supervision of a mature homework partner achieve more, are better motivated, have positive attitudes toward education, enjoy better self-esteem, and exhibit self-confidence. Information about how Homework Enhances Learning Potential can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/HELP.htm.

An effective after-school Kids At the Table program is underway at Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School. One component of this program is volunteers helping students improve their literacy skills through effective homework supervision. Of those 44 students who participated in a 10-week pilot KAT program, 41 of them improved their reading level by at least one grade level. Additional information about the KAT program can be found at http://reporter.net/local/x1644185766/KAT-program-wildly-successful.

Better overall education results could be obtained WITHOUT passing the Referendum if a KAT-type program were implemented at all our elementary schools with the goal of providing mature homework partners for all our first, second, and third grade students. The Stokes Elementary Kids At the Table after-school program is a really good step in the right direction that, if more widely implemented, would ultimately achieve much better results than the SMART Boards, more computers, and larger classrooms included in the costly $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

13. The proposed student security improvements at all schools can be provided more quickly by NOT passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum and including them in a $10 million Bond Issue.

The SLSPAC website includes the following comments: I am supporting this cause so that my child can go to school in a safe environment. Safe and secure buildings are a must ... a child cannot learn to their full potential if they do not feel safe! I will vote yes to the referendum, because the kids need to feel safe at school and the parents need to know the kids are safe. If we have a secure area, people can't just start walking in to the school and do whatever they want to do.

It appears parents are being told Lebanon schools have suddenly become unsafe and passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum is the only solution.

The Referendum includes spending a total of $490,000 to construct "secure" entries at Lebanon High School and Lebanon Middle School, and spending almost $1.1 million at all schools to install security cameras linked into a centralized security system. LHS and LMS visitors would enter at the main school entrance and be directed to check in with office staff so only those who have a legitimate need are allowed access. All other entries would be locked to those coming in from outside. Security cameras would monitor all who enter and leave the main entrance. These security improvements would be completed the summer of 2013.

SLSPAC contends that improved student safety is needed because the Lebanon Community School Corporation "is no longer a small school system out in the country" and "is now adjacent to a major highway." These are curious assertions because the projected 2012-13 LCSC enrollment of 3,471 students is almost the same as the 3,431 students in 2004-05. Most folks think the adjacent I-65 has been a "major highway" for five decades. Lebanon School administrators have not been concerned enough about student safety threats at LHS to provide every classroom with a panic button, including those classrooms for special needs students.

Even though Lebanon students face no different student safety threats than six years ago, Watchdog Indiana supports including the proposed security improvements in a $10 million Bond Issue WITHIN the 1% homeowner property tax cap. The desired improvements can be put in place more quickly without having to contend with construction delays from the unneeded $10.4 million LHS addition and $14 million LHS renovation included in the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

14.The $40 million Lebanon Community Schools Referendum is too important for mere political manipulation.

The Support Lebanon Students Political Action Committee is providing incomplete information in an effort to manipulate a YES vote for the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum.

Michele Thomas, Lebanon School Board President and SLSPAC member, stated in a September 25 letter in The Lebanon Reporter that the SLSPAC "has comprehensive information (again including a tax calculator) at their website, www.supportlebanonstudents.com."

The table above in Fact #1 reveals how much property taxes will increase OUTSIDE the 1% homeowner property tax cap each year for homes of various values IF the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum passes. The prudent voter is told that his or her PROPERTY TAXES WILL GO DOWN by the amounts indicated in the table if the Referendum does NOT pass. NONE of this information is included on the so-called "comprehensive" SLSPAC website.

SLSPAC does NOT reveal a lot of other pertinent information on its website, including how the Lebanon Community School Corporation education results compare to other Boone County school corporations, a below average LCSC ratio of student instructional expenditures to all other expenditures, realistic student growth projections, and the LCSC connections to the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee. The SLSPAC website is NOT comprehensive.

The SLSPAC website is merely part of a campaign to manipulate a YES vote for the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum to support the dreams and schemes of the Lebanon Schools administration and the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee.

The political campaign spending data revealed below comes from the SLSPAC campaign finance report filed with the Boone County Clerk. This data is for the reporting period ending October 8, 2010.

Contributions
$2,695.00 Itemized Contributions
$4,482.00 Unitemized Contributions
$7,177.00 TOTAL Contributions

All cumulative contributions over $100 per contributor must be itemized. The list of itemized contributors include the following: James L. and Sandra L. Driesbach ($300.00), Charlotte Frandsen ($250), Raymond V. and Laura L. Ingham ($200), Kevin M. and Wendy R. O'Rourke ($250.00), Anne M. Patterson ($250.00), Matthew L. and Heather R. Schaller ($120.00), Robert J. Spolyar ($250.00), Robert L. and Jackie S. Taylor ($275.00), Allen and Jennifer Woods ($200.00), Ashcraft and Frazier Orthodontics P.C. ($250.00), Midwest Transit Equipment Inc. ($150.00), Triangle Asphalt Paving Corp. ($200.00)

Expenditures
$   215.00 Anderson Graphics (print shop)
$1,374.62 Big Daddy's Signs (print shop)
$     88.00 Boone Co. 4-H Club (fairgrounds booth rent)
$   775.00 Bright Ideas In Broad Ripple (print shop)
$   982.75 Create-A-Tee (T-shirt and print shop)
$     24.50 Home National Bank (bank checks)
$   327.00 Minute Print It (print shop)
$3,786.87 TOTAL Expenditures
$3,390.13 Cash On Hand

In spite of this lengthy list of spending on campaign literature, signs, pins, and T-shirts, there seems to be a couple of items missing. Where is the website expenditure? Where is the Back To The Fifties Festival booth expenditure? What other in-kind expenditures have not been listed?

Zionsville Community Schools spent at least $450 to attend a "Campaign College" for school corporations on how to pass a school referendum. This "Campaign College" included such topics as (1) who to involve and who not to involve, (2) target the right voters, and (3) compelling campaign messages and how to deliver them.

It is a relief that no Lebanon taxpayer money has been spent to attend this "Campaign College," but it is apparent that SLSPAC has undertaken a Taxpayer UNfriendly political-style campaign using half-truths to manipulate a YES vote. The SLSPAC manipulative campaign plans include yard signs, voter history analysis, poll workers, T-shirts, buttons, literature, and newspaper ads.

Watchdog Indiana is not afraid to provide The Whole Truth to every voter. The SLSPAC and Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee websites are included in every The Whole Truth E-mail Update, and their website links are included on this Watchdog Indiana The Whole Truth web page. Watchdog Indiana believes in the collective wisdom of Lebanon's voters, and wants every voter to have ALL the facts so an informed decision can be made on November 2.

The Lebanon Community School Corporation will mail a "newsletter" to 11,000 "patrons" in early October to "provide factual information" about the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. The prior first-in-memory Spring 2010 Lebanon Links newsletter is a slick LCSC public relations piece that was probably issued to set up next month's "newsletter" as a back-door, taxpayer-funded advertisement for the Referendum. The "factual information" about the Referendum in next month's "newsletter" will doubtlessly be no less slanted than the information provided by LCSC at the "Community Referendum Meetings." No taxpayer should be happy with this unethical "newsletter" use of taxpayer funds.

The Watchdog Indiana Political Action Committee invited the Support Lebanon Students Political Action Committee on September 27, 2010, to jointly inform voters regarding the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. Four ground rules were suggested to undertake this joint voter education project. (1) Ask interested voters to submit questions about the Referendum. (2) Jointly develop answers to the questions for inclusion in some future The Whole Truth E-mail Updates (a joint E-mail Update will not be sent unless and until both WINPAC and SLSPAC agree to the final wording). (3) Every jointly agreed-upon The Whole Truth E-mail Update will be sent to all the 2010 Lebanon Community Schools Referendum Voters in the Watchdog Indiana E-mail Address Book. (4) Agree to publish our joint question answers in other available media.

15. The renovated and expanded Lebanon High School that would result from passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum is NOT good for property values because it cannot realistically make our schools more competitive in attracting families and businesses with high-wage, high-demand jobs.

The SLSPAC contends that passage of the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum is "good for property values" because "it makes our schools more competitive in attracting families and businesses with high-wage, high-demand jobs." The truth of the matter is that a renovated and expanded Lebanon High School with all the "bells and whistles" cannot (1) overcome the aftermath of the Great Recession and (2) significantly improve the subpar Lebanon school system education outcomes compared with those of the other Boone County school systems.

The $115,900 new gross assessed value effective March 1, 2010, for the home at 2625 Countryside Drive is 2.28% less than the previous value of $118,600. This decline in home value was caused by the general housing market weakness that began the fourth quarter of 2008. It is silly to contend that a "gateway" high school will overcome the ongoing unemployment crisis caused by the Great Recession and result in increased home values at 2625 Countrysid Drive.

One Taxpayer Friendly outcome of the declining home value at 2625 Countryside Drive is that the Pay 2011 1% property tax cap limit drops to $1,159. SLSPAC wants to overcome this positive development by passing the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum so the property tax bill at 2625 Countryside Drive is $137 OUTSIDE the cap for 2012-17, $207 OUTSIDE the cap for 2018-20, and $286 OUTSIDE the cap for 2021-23.

The preceding The Whole Truth Fact #5 shows that the marginal education improvements that MIGHT result from a renovated and expanded Lebanon High School will do little to attract new families to Lebanon because of demographic factors and subpar education outcomes compared to other Boone County school systems.

16. The Lebanon Community School Corporation is below average at managing our property tax dollars.

On her blog at http://mtschoolboard.blogspot.com/ Michele Thomas, Lebanon School Board President, claims that "LCSC taxes have dropped dramatically in recent years, from $1.76 (per $100 of assessed value) in 2006 to $1.12 in 2010. This is a drop of 36%, and the proposed [Referendum] renovation will not raise the tax rate."

The implication is that the Lebanon School Board has done such a good job of managing our property tax dollars that we should accept their "expert" opinion and vote to pass the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. The FACTS tell a different story.

First of all, the prudent taxpayer does NOT focus on the property tax rate to evaluate the LCSC operating efficiency. The factors that go into computing the tax rate are what is important - the LCSC levy (budget) amount and the assessed value of property within the LCSC district. Since the school district has no direct effect on the assessed value within its boundaries, the LCSC levy must be analyzed to evaluate the LCSC operating efficiency.

The following certified levy information is contained in the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance report on the certified property tax levy history for the 2006 - 2010 budget years for all government units (see http://www.in.gov/dlgf/files/Certified_Levy_Report.pdf):

LCSC Total Certified Levies
2006: $16,211,876
2007: $17,148,797
2008: $18,163,165
2009: $12,476,740
2010: $11,861,375

LCSC Percentage Change in Total Certified Levies
2006 - 2007: + 5.8%
2007 - 2008: + 5.9%
2008 - 2009: - 31.3%
2009 - 2010: - 4.9%
2006 - 2010: - 26.8%

Statewide School District Total Certified Levies
2006: $4,220,045,333
2007: $4,538,522,794
2008: $4,709,294,150
2009: $2,585,741,882
2010: $2,652,971,171 = $2,585,741,882 X 1.026

Statewide School District Percentage Change in Total Certified Levies
2006 - 2007: + 7.5%
2007 - 2008: + 3.8%
2008 - 2009: - 45.1%
2009 - 2010: + 2.6%
2006 - 2010: - 37.1%

With her limited presentation of information, Thomas implies that "LCSC taxes have dropped dramatically" because the Lebanon School Board has done something wonderfully efficient and taxpayer friendly. The TRUTH of the matter that is that LCSC property taxes declined significantly from 2006 to 2010 PRIMARILY because the state assumed all of the school general fund spending in 2009. The April 1, 2008, statewide sales tax increase enabled the state to entirely remove school general fund spending from the LCSC property tax levy - the Lebanon School Board had absolutely nothing to do with this taxpayer friendly development.

One good way to determine LCSC operating efficiency is to compare the LCSC Percentage Change in Total Certified Levies from 2006 to 2010 with the statewide school district average. The LCSC Total Certified Levy decrease from 2006 to 2010 was only 26.8% compared to the statewide school district average decrease of 37.1%. The Lebanon Community School Corporation is below average at managing our property tax dollars, and no prudent taxpayer should vote to pass the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum solely because it is favored by a Lebanon School Board that often acts as a "rubber stamp" for the school administration.

17. An operating referendum is NOT needed to keep class sizes within a reasonable range if the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum does NOT pass.

On her blog at http://mtschoolboard.blogspot.com/ Michele Thomas, Lebanon School Board President, claims that "Updates to the buildings (including new windows at LHS and new HVAC at LHS and Central) will result in utility savings of $330,000 every year. These are general fund dollars that will be much better spent in our classrooms!"

The implication is that these utility savings will be an important factor in avoiding teacher layoffs to keep class sizes within a reasonable range. Furthermore, it has been stated that not passing the Referendum will forfeit the utility savings resulting in an operating referendum to avoid teacher cuts. The FACTS tell a different story.

First of all, a review of the data provided by the Lebanon Community School System reveals that the projected annual utility savings is $348,000 instead of the $330,000 claimed by Thomas. (It is more than a little disturbing that LCSC simply presents the $348,000 utility savings estimate with no substantiation.)

The following LCSC teacher salary information is the latest available from the Indiana Department of Education website:

2008-09 Average Teacher Salaries
$50,172 Lebanon High School
$51,633 Lebanon Middle School
$50,068 Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School
$48,518 Harney Elementary School
$47,650 Central Elementary School
$55,994 Perry Worth Elementary School
$50,481 LCSC Teacher Salary Average

2008-09 Full Time Equivalent Teachers
  64 Lebanon High School
  45 Lebanon Middle School
  33 Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School
  31 Harney Elementary School
  22 Central Elementary School
  19 Perry Worth Elementary School
214 Total LCSC Teachers

The 2009 LCSC Financial Report on the Indiana Department of Education website shows that LCSC-paid employee benefits are 30.8% of total general fund salaries. Therefore, the salary and benefits total for the average LCSC teacher is $50,481 X 1.308 = $66,029.

At $66,029 per teacher, the $348,000 in annual utility savings equates to 5 teachers. Five teachers represent just 2.3% of the 214 total LCSC teachers.

There were 3,517 LCSC students enrolled during the 2008-09 school year. The 2008-09 LCSC ratio of students per teacher was 3,517 students / 214 teachers = 16.4.

Enrollment projections for the 2011-12 school year show that LCSC will have 3,481 students. If five teachers were to be lost in the worst-case scenario, the 2011-12 LCSC ratio of students per teacher would increase to only 3,481 students / 209 teachers = 16.6. LCSC class sizes will stay within a reasonable range if the Referendum does NOT pass and 2.3% of the total teachers are laid off in a worst-case scenario.

Even if there are NO utility savings the next few years, a competent Lebanon Schools administration would be able to manage its operations without losing teachers. Total 2009 LCSC general fund spending was $20,216,994, of which $13,731,144 was for salaries and employee benefits and $6,485,850 was for purchased services, supplies, materials, and "other objects." The December 31, 2009, LCSC rainy day fund balance was $1,881,700. An annual utility savings of $348,000 is only 1.7% of the total 2009 LCSC general fund spending. If the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum does NOT pass, a competent Lebanon Schools administration would be able to find 1.7% savings within its general fund or utilize its rainy day fund to avoid teacher cuts WITHOUT an operating referendum.

Taxpayer money can be saved by voting NO against the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum, and using a $10 million Bond Issue WITHIN the 1% cap to improve energy efficiency at all schools, make building security improvements at all schools, and replace the roof at the new Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School. The $10 million Bond Issue would result in just about the same utility savings as the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. The Lebanon Schools administration would not have to stretch its managerial competency to avoid teacher layoffs.

18. Current low interest rates (which will continue in the foreseeable future) and low construction costs to not justify assuming unnecessary debt in this time of Great Recession.

Supporters of the Referendum point out that the timing of the proposed capital projects coincide with historically low interest rates as well as a very competitive construction industry, both of which could help minimize the total cost.

The prime rate, as reported by the Wall Street Journal's bank survey, is the interest rate banks charge their best customers. The prime rate affects interest rates paid on deposits, bank loans, credit cards, and adjustable-rate mortgages, and it is in turn based on the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is set by the Federal Reserve through its Federal Open Market Committee. The federal funds rate is the interest rate at which private depository institutions (mostly banks) lend immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to other depository institutions overnight.

The Federal Reserve responds to a potential slow-down by lowering the target federal funds rate in order to stimulate the economy. Reducing the federal funds rate makes money cheaper, allowing an influx of credit into the economy through all types of loans at a lower rate. The Federal Open Market Committee members watch economic indicators to determine if the economy is speeding up (inflation) or slowing down (recession).

The Consumer Price Index, a key measure of inflation, rose 1.1% over the last 12 months ending in September. Any number above zero means prices are rising, but a rate around 1% is considered slow growth. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says inflation trends will likely "remain subdued for some time."

The federal funds rate remains at the historically low level of 0.00 - 0.25%, where it has been since December 16, 2008. The current stagnant economy is not expected to spark inflation in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the federal funds rate will remain low and the favorable lending environment for bonds issued by Lebanon Schools will continue if the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum fails to pass.

According to the 2010-11 Edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide employment in construction is expected to rise 19 percent from 2008 to 2018. Demand for commercial construction and an increase in road, bridge, and tunnel construction will account for the bulk of job growth.

It is not certain how long local construction costs will remain relatively low. What is certain is that current low construction costs do not justify assuming more debt than necessary in this time of Great Recession.

19. Responsible voters need to recognize that publicity campaigns are simply meant to manipulate public perception, and use this web page to get the FACTS to make an informed Referendum decision.

Which publicity campaign do you believe?

The Lebanon Community School Corporation (LCSC) has a video at http://www.leb.k12.in.us/districtinfo.asp that features Superintendent Robert Taylor and a video at http://www.leb.k12.in.us/LHS/ that features Lebanon High School Principal Kevin O'Rourke. The Support Lebanon Students Political Action Committee (SLSPAC), which was established to support the Referendum, has a website at http://www.supportlebanonstudents.com/Home_Page.php. The LCSC and SLSPAC publicity campaigns presented on these websites contradict one another as outlined below.

LCSC: Lebanon offers peaceful country style living.
SLSPAC: LCSC is no longer a small school system out in the country. The school community has grown and is now adjacent to a major highway.

LCSC: With Lebanon Community Schools' state of the art facilities, a student-parent focused environment, and, most importantly, a dedicated and committed instructional staff, your children will receive not only a quality education in a safe and secure environment, but they'll also spend each and every learning day with a staff that cares about their well-being and their future.
SLSPAC: Our students need classrooms suitable for 21st century learning and better security. It is important to have appropriate building security for the types of situations which may occur in schools anywhere. All schools need increased security as well as improved heat and ventilation control. Our students will have better technology, safety and comfort.

LCSC: As you can see, Lebanon High School is a great place to learn and work.
SLSPAC: Classrooms at LHS were designed before technology and collaborative projects became such an integral part of learning and when the average physical size of students was smaller. Many classrooms at LHS feel cramped. Extensive renovation is needed at LHS to incorporate instructional technology and to reduce energy costs.

LCSC: Both of the publicity videos show a LHS hallway full of students easily walking past one another without difficulty.
SLSPAC: A publicity video to show "how crowded Lebanon High School hallways are" is shot from a warped perspective, and the only impediment to student traffic seems to be the camera shooting the "crowded" hallway scene.

Do you believe the LCSC or the SLSPAC publicity campaign? It is obvious their publicity campaigns "speak out of both sides of their mouth" depending on the result they wish to manipulate. Both the Lebanon School Board and SLSPAC have merely been advocates for the dreams and schemes of the Lebanon Schools administration and the Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee (http://www.finplaneducation.net/lebanon_vision_committee.htm).

This web page provides voters The Whole Truth about the $40 million Lebanon Schools Referendum. Responsible voters need to recognize that both the LCSC and SLSPAC publicity campaigns are simply meant to manipulate public perception, and use this web page to get the facts so they can make an informed decision about the Referendum.

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This page was last updated on 07/03/13 .