WRAL-TV and The News and Observer have taken a poll on the Wake County School Bonds. They found voters:

• Favored a $625 million bond with no tax increase 64% to 28%

• Opposed a $998 million bond with a tax increase 59% to 27%

• Opposed a $1.15 billion bond with a bigger tax increase 57% to 35%

That’s a pretty clear message. Two-thirds (64%) of the voters turned thumbs down on a tax increase.

The School Board’s conclusion is puzzling. Initially, some of the Board members argued the poll meant they should abandon the $998 million bond they’d been pushing (which 59% of the people opposed) – to go for the bigger $1.15 billion bond (with the bigger tax) because only 57% of the people oppose it. In the end, the Board voted to ‘compromise’ and spend $1.06 billion.

If this is what passes for ‘logic’ on the school board we have got bigger problems than a building shortfall.

Who knows why 2% fewer people opposed the bond with the higher tax? Maybe the explanation is a handful of parents – who oppose more year-round schools – want the bigger bond regardless of how much it costs.

But that isn’t the point. The point – the School Board seems unable to get – is that 64% of the voters in Wake County don’t want any tax increase at all. Each of the three independent polls on the Schools Bonds showed any bond including a tax increase losing decisively.

It would seem the Board had a clear choice – accept a bond to increase spending $625 million without a tax increase. Or go for a new tax and lose at the polls. It decided to go for the tax.

Let us hope the School Board understands more about education than it does about polling.

Click to Read & Post Comments