The Cedar Rapids School Board is consider a 69 cent property tax increase. The city plans a 4.15 percent property tax increase. Our elected officials must think the residents of Cedar Rapids have unlimited funds the way they spend our money.

I toured the new school board (administrative) building last year, and while I agree we needed a new building, I feel they have gone overboard on the expense. Bulletproof glass, really? Nice atrium decorated in our tax dollars. Why can’t we build what we need instead of a masterpiece to our officials?

With students leaving the school district in droves, it should be obvious they should spend our money on students, not on themselves.

I hope the new casino will help with our property tax problem. I am sure it will save us from the mess the city is creating with the new hotel. The city doesn’t belong in the hotel business, but it would be nice if they could fix our streets.

Dave Draheim

Cedar Rapids