Letter: Students’ parents must fork it over

Monday, June 4, 2001 | 9:18 a.m.

As a 78-year-old senior citizen, I most heartily agree with Judi Root's May 27 letter, "Seniors should not have to pay for schools."

My Social Security benefits increased a truly exorbitant 3 percent this year. Of course, my Medicare premium also increased to help consume this COLA. What am I supposed to do? On my fixed income, I don't have the luxury of raising taxes to cover the difference. My only option is to grin and bear it!

Those individuals who have children attending public schools in Clark County should be called upon to pay a greater share of the costs of educating their offspring than they are called upon to do now.

There should be a "baseline school tax" paid by all property owners throughout Clark County, irrespective of whether or not they have children attending public schools or have any children at all.

Additionally, those adults who have decided to have children should be expected to take responsibility for their actions and bite the bullet by paying a "public school usage fee." After all, public universities charge tuition, don't they?

Following the biblical injunction of being "fruitful and multiplying" is accompanied by expensive consequences in the real world that should not -- any more than is necessary or fair -- be made the responsibility of those who have made the conscious decision not to have any children.

ADOLPH KROPATSCHEK