Shelley, it’s Time to Step Up for Education

May 19, 2025 Announcements

State Congressional man Ben Fuhriman

We are a conservative community. We believe in the Constitution. We revere the Founding Fathers. But do we really believe them?

John Adams once wrote:

“Reformation must begin with the Body of the People which can be done only, to affect, in their Educations. The Whole People must take upon themselves the Education of the Whole People and must be willing to bear the expences of it… there should not be a district of one Mile Square without a school in it, not founded by a Charitable individual but maintained at the expence of the People themselvs… Instead of Adoring a Washington, Mankind Should applaud the Nation which Educated him.”

Abraham Lincoln echoed that same truth when he said:

“That universal education should go along with and accompany the universal ballot in America; that the very best, firmest, and most enduring basis of our republic was the education, the thorough and the universal education of the great American people; and that the intelligence of the mass of our people was the light and life of the republic.”

If we take those words seriously, then we must accept that the responsibility to educate our children—all of them—belongs to all of us. That responsibility doesn’t end when our kids graduate. And it certainly doesn’t disappear just because we don’t like every detail of the process.

Some may not have children in school today, but many once did—and likely have grandchildren who will benefit from modern, safe, and functional facilities. Others may find fault with the layout, the location, or the cost. But at some point, we have to choose to trust those among us—our friends and neighbors—who have worked tirelessly and in good faith to craft a plan that meets real needs, without excess. This is not the Taj Mahal. It’s a school, and it’s time.

Let’s talk facts.
The average home in Shelley is worth about $400,000. But bond taxes are based on assessed value, which is always lower than market value.

A home worth $400,000 typically has an assessed value between $300,000 and $360,000.
That puts the estimated monthly cost of this bond at just $62 to $97/month.

And that number will likely go down over time. Here’s why:

Two existing bonds are about to be paid off, which frees up room in the levy rate.
As new homes are built and added to the tax base, the cost is spread across more properties.
And starting this year, House Bill 304 allocates $50 million annually from the state to reduce school bond and levy taxes. But if our district doesn’t have a bond in place, we don’t benefit from that relief.

Now, some broader perspective:

Communities with higher levels of education experience lower crime rates, higher incomes, and greater civic engagement.
Educated individuals are more likely to pay higher taxes, contribute more to Social Security, and less likely to rely on welfare.
If we’re worried about Social Security running out, the best solution is to raise up a generation that earns more and pays more into the system.
Everything starts with education.

President Ronald Reagan said it well:

“The education our children deserve is the kind no American should be deprived of, for it’s the basic instruction in what it means to be an American.”

And in his First Inaugural Address, he reminded us:

“If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. The central role of government must be to nurture this genius.”

And that begins with education—giving every child a chance to unleash their God-given potential.

Our duty to support education doesn’t end when our kids leave school—just like our duty to support roads, fire protection, or national defense doesn’t end when we’re not the ones directly using them. Public goods work because we all carry a share.

I believe the day will come when the state fully funds school facilities—and bonds like this may no longer be needed. But when that day comes, the state will still have to pay off existing bonds. And if we don’t have one in place, our community won’t benefit.

This vote is not about perfection. It’s about priorities. It’s about whether we are willing to make a sacrifice for something that will bless generations. It’s about whether we trust our own community to make good decisions. And it’s about whether we truly believe the words of the Founding Fathers—or only when they say what we want to hear.

John Adams couldn’t have been clearer. Abraham Lincoln reinforced it. And Ronald Reagan reminded us why it matters.

Now it’s our turn to act.

Please consider Voting YES on Shelley’s school bond on Tuesday May 20th. Because education is not charity. It’s our shared duty.