Thanks to Stanley Tetenman (Oct. 19) for highlighting the problem of the state, forcing towns and cities to assess property, particularly those in school districts, to 100 percent of market value instead of current use. Because of this trend, the average homeowner could not now buy their own property.

A town or city pays its share of school funding based on its state valuation. The higher the property valuation, the less the state’s share. Most towns operate all facilities on about 34 percent of collected taxes, the other 66 percent goes to education.

Many good-paying jobs have been lost due to factories and mills closing due to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This impacts the per-capita income and curtails the profits of small businesses, forcing some to close their doors. Service jobs don’t provide decent wages.

Some towns wish to become plantations or de-organize due the tax burden. If a town de-organizes from a school district, it remains liable for its share of district indebtness at that time. This usually prevents a town from leaving.

The idea of super-districts or combined districts would eliminate local control and cause a financial disaster.

Gary A. Hutchinson, Carthage