Audra Byrd

I'm bummed that our taxes are going up again. It makes it difficult to sustain, especially for retired home owners or single parents or anyone with low income trying to get on their feet. Socialist programs always hurt the most vulnerable and give more power to corrupt government.

Thank you to those who voted no on the levies and tried to stop the monetary hemorrhaging. Almost every precinct in West Richland voted no! Thank you West Richland! 🙌🏼

Election Day!! Please make sure you turn your ballot into an actual ballot box TODAY!

Please vote and turn in your ballot! Some people think that by simply not voting, the levy won't go through. But that's not how it works. It has to fail by 51%. We need people to actually vote NO and turn in their ballots.

Vote no for RSD levies!
Vote no more taxes!

Richland School District has been irresponsible with managing our tax payer funds. Last Spring, the District layed off paras and nurses who work daily with students and hired ANOTHER district administrator amidst all of those lay offs. How is that an ethical use of our tax payer money?

Because our property assessments have skyrocketed, this levy would result in us paying more taxes than last year! Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco school districts are all asking for levies this year, but you know which district is asking for the most money, even when they have the smallest enrollment? Richland.

Richland has historically been arrogant with their levy and bond requests. Our administrators are some of the highest paid in our area, Richland is asking for the highest levy percentage out of the whole Tricities, and they have a history of wasting money and mismanaging our budget.

Please vote no and hold our district fiscally accountable by asking RSD to demonstrate living within a budget, focusing more on improving student academic outcomes, staffing less district administrators, and presenting lower levy requests to our community that is already paying too high taxes.

As an RSD parent and former RSD teacher, I am an advocate for responsible public education. Sadly, RSD has misplaced priorities. The state reports only 39.7% of RSD students show consistent grade-level knowledge in science, which has gotten worse under the current administration. Meanwhile, administrator pay continues to increase, and so do our taxes. Vote No. There is time before the levies expire for RSD to propose more responsible levies to voters, without impacting students, and without raising our taxes even further!

Sincerely, Audra Byrd
Parent of 4 RSD students
Former RSD Teacher
Former School Board Director
Current Tax Payer

Let's talk about this upcoming February Levy...

Richland School District has been dishonest and irresponsible with tax dollars in the past and this upcoming levy is no different. Some people are saying this one is not asking for more money and that is simply not true. The percent would be staying the same, but because our property assessments have skyrocketed, that percent would result in us paying an additional $300 per year on top of what we are already paying (for an average $400k-$500k home). Also, Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco school districts are all asking for a levy this year, but you know which district is asking for the most? Richland. And you know which district is the smallest in enrollment? Richland. Kennewick, specifically cut their levy down to make it smaller and more fiscally conservative for their community members. Do you know which district pays their district administrators the most? Richland.

Richland has historically been arrogant with their levy and bond requests. Rather than listening to what community members ask for, they create inflated bonds and levies for astronomical amounts of money because they know that historically Richland always passes them. We have demolished perfectly beautiful and sturdy brick buildings and built all new ones because the tax payers keep showering them with money. Our administrators are some of the highest paid in our area and all got raises during covid even when schools were shut down.

Richland school district has also misappropriated MILLIONS of dollars that were already promised to tax payers. The community passed a bond a while back for about $30M for another new elementary school. When the Badger Mountain School new build went $15M OVER budget, the district decided to not build a new elementary school after all. The other $15M just magically disappeared. This is just one example of what is meant when community members pass a bond/levy, then the district doesn't fulfill on their promises. This last Spring, the District also layed off some paras and nurses who work daily with students and hired ANOTHER district superintendent (making $200K+) amidst all of those lay offs. How is that ethical use of our tax payer money?

Also, the district is actually declining in enrollment. Why do they need more money for less students? And our student scores are horribly low. We have been throwing money at our district for years and our scores continue to tank. Something has to change!

I personally will not ever vote to pass another bond or levy in this district until student scores go up, enrollment shows a valid increase to necessitate a rise in taxes, and the district actually shows they will be honest and responsible with funding. I know they like to threaten that student services will decline etc, but until we have honest and reliable administrators, we cannot trust our money to be wasted with the same people over and over again. If you hired a company to clean your carpets and they stole half your money then didn't clean house the way you asked, and it was still dirty and only half way completed, then they came and asked for more money to shampoo the carpets on the other side of your house, would you pay them??? What if they told you, but if you don't pay them more money, then your kids can't have their room clean and a nice place to play? Would you pay them more money then??? Trusting that this time they wouldn't steal your money and they might clean your home properly and do a good job? No. You would fire them and try to hire a new company. Even if it means your kids don't get a nice clean bedroom right now. It is worth the wait to hire a quality company who will use your money wisely and give you quality work in the end. Sadly, it is the teachers and students who will end up suffering for now, because the district doesn't know how to manage funds honestly or even how to ask for a conservative levy amount.

Total proposed tax rate (including debt service) on the taxpayers:
Kennewick - $3.03 to $3.05
Pasco - $3.92 to $4.00
Richland - $4.15 to $4.20

Send a message to learn more

If anyone is looking for help filling out your ballot...

Also remember to vote REJECTED on the Richland School District bond! I am happy to answer questions if you have any.

Please vote early and turn your ballots into an actual ballot box ASAP!

😥

Enrollment declining across the state... hmmm I wonder why. 🤔 Maybe the failing scores and the indoctrination takeover rather than real quality education? Figure it out, Washington!

⭐If anyone wants help switching to HOMESCHOOL or PRIVATE SCHOOL, I am happy to help give you information and any assistance you need! ⭐

original.newsbreak.com

The first time I have ever seen the Tri-City Herald actually get something mostly right! 🙌🏼 Thanks Eric!

Ousted Richland official, others to open private school to educate ‘Christian patriots’ “I think COVID definitely inspired people to want options.”

Update! Emma was found safe in King County and is being returned home! Thank you Heavenly Father and all our amazing emergency personnel who were working to find her! 💛

Please help us find Emma! This is absolutely horrifying! If anyone sees her or knows any information please contact the police!

***UPDATE***

Emma has been located safely in the King County area. She is being transported to a local police department until her family can be reunited with her.

**Updated to Amber Alert**

Update on missing juvenile. Any information please call 509-628-0333, case 23-11804.

A good man shared this today. I want to be better. 💛