Letter to the editor: No need for big, beautiful schools in Latrobe

Regarding the article “Greater Latrobe’s multimillion dollar revitalization plan raises taxes through 2039” (Sept. 22, TribLIVE): Federal, state and local government continually have their hands deep in Pennsylvania residents’ pockets and around our throats. Local school boards add to the financial burden. After completing the new Latrobe Elementary School building, the Greater Latrobe School Board has decided to spend $182 million to $198 million on new building projects, raising taxes through 2039.

No school board should have sole authority to approve a project of this magnitude. And taxpayers should have the opportunity to speak via ballot. Were senior citizens surviving solely on pensions and/or Social Security and single-income families a part of the discussion? Are we saying that big, beautiful, state-of-the-art buildings produce better students? Ask Pittsburgh sports fans if new arenas produce championship teams. Are we implying that student success is dependent upon appearances?

School taxes should directly benefit students. Why, then, are tax increases seemingly always for salary increases, benefits, pensions and/or new buildings? Safety renovations are necessary; superficial ones are not. It’s time to find a new way to fund education other than taxes that benefits our students at the heart of education and shows consideration for the taxpayers.

Cheri Yandrick

Unity