Thirty years ago, I had my moment of fame when I took my sheep to town hall to pay for my tax bill, protesting the way we fund our schools. Since then, the problem has not been solved. The Legislature keeps messing with “formulas” and “equalization” with no reductions in spending (taxes).

I think it’s time we “restart” the education funding process and look at the costs from the ground up instead of trying to trim from the top down. I would like to see a price just for teaching the 3 Rs. For a few generations, parents have been advised to have a college fund for their kids. Using this concept, I propose that parents have an education fund for their kids starting with preschool and they pay more taxes for the time they are in school. The caveat is that when they are done, they will then pay less taxes.

This is more equitable for all, including those with no children and those who have already paid for one or more generations. I also think that at a certain age there should be an even larger tax break or even an end to paying school taxes. Just like you may someday be done with paying college loans.

I think you should “only pay for what you get,” for as long as you get it. So when your child is born, start your education fund.

Alden Harwood

Addison