As a resident of Rockland and Orange County, New York, I am increasingly burdened by the high school taxes that are becoming a financial obstacle to my family. As a taxpayer and avid supporter of public programs, including schools, recreation areas, infrastructure, it's a struggle to see my hard-earned money flowing into areas I do not personally support. The essence of a public service is to serve the public, and as such, it should only be funded by public means. I strongly believe that decisions made by individuals to seek services beyond public offerings should be funded privately.

Currently, our school taxes are not solely benefiting public schools but are being used to support nonpublic, private institutions. This arrangement is fundamentally unjust, as public school taxes should not be used to subsidize private education. This fuels a system where those who can already afford a private education are being further supported, whereas those who rely on public education are being short-changed.

In both Rockland and Orange counties, there has been a significant increase in the number of private schools, where the school taxes meant for public education are divided. Directing these funds into public education is vital for public schools' survival and growth. Across the country, studies consistently show that investment in public education equates to better outcomes for students (National Center for Education Statistics).

Help us to rectify this situation by creating a fair system where school taxes are solely used for public schools' benefit. The clear separation between public and private funding is a necessary step towards just and equitable education funding. Make a stand, sign this petition, and let's ensure our school taxes are allocated fairly.