Roger Costner's Position Paper On Schools

Lean times allows us to cut waste.
The current economic slowdown has made my business question every overhead item we have. This has made us a stronger, more lean company. We are doing more with less and that has been good. It is never easy to cut jobs or to make use of everyday items and not replace them with the latest and greatest new gadget. Lean times make us realize what is really important in life and business.

When is it enough?
Just like an overweight person who starts to diet, the first pounds lost are good. The body responds with more energy, a better look, more confidence. Things are looking up. Somewhere down the line the diet must stop or it gets extreme; there is no more fat to lose and the body starts to burn muscle. This muscle is hard to replace and should have never been lost. That is where we are in my business and in our school systems. The fat is gone, another cut and we are into muscle.

We are different
District 48 sits in the hot seat of York county, one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. We were one of the last places to slow down during the current recession. Unlike other rural South Carolina counties, York county will lead the way when expansion starts again.

Do it now
At Brothers Air & Heat if we cut anymore we will be extremely limited when the turnaround comes and we know it.

Anyone who studies the area will quickly come to the conclusion that York county is in a great position for growth as soon as the economy turns. We are not like the rest of South Carolina. Our economic engine is different. Knowing that, we are making plans to expand our headquarters in this downturn so we will be positioned for the rapid growth that is ahead. Yes, we are going to borrow money that will have to be repaid with future profits down the road because it just makes sense to do it now.

Our schools are the same
Our School Districts cannot afford to reduce any more staff or resources, if they do we will be at a big disadvantage when the economy resumes. While some areas of South Carolina can cut teachers and wait for things to get better, here in District 48 we cannot. When the rapid growth returns we must be strong with all of our muscle ready to work. If we lose our best talent now we will be playing catch-up more than any area of the state. Strong schools are vital to York county as we compete with the counties across the state line for good paying industries. We must keep our schools strong.

School Choice
My oldest daughter, Ashley, is a 2001 graduate of Westminster Catawba Christian school in Rock Hill. While there she received one of the best educations in the state, which helped her achieve great grades in college. I now have a daughter who is a rising freshman at Fort Mill High and a son who is entering the third grade at Gold Hill elementary. I have seen both sides of this issue. I can tell you that public education in district 48 is just like a private school minus religion. Like everything else in life, you get out of something what you put into it. Parental involvement in the Fort Mill district is the key to having great schools.

Our schools are the best
Unlike other parts of South Carolina our schools in District 48 can compete with the best private schools in our state. I know, I have experienced both. My position on choice is settled. I will never support a school choice bill that takes away any money from school districts in district 48!

So what about other areas in South Carolina where the schools just don’t make the grade?
In business you are either making money or you have a loss; have a loss for too long and you are out of business. We must have that approach with under performing school districts in our state. We must ensure that all children in South Carolina have the same quality of education. In business it's called Best Practices. To get better, you copy the best practices of your competitors. Lets find a way to spread the parental involvement and best practices of our schools with the rest of the state.

We must correct the reason(s) parents want to take children out of public education.

Rogers position on taxes
Act 388 was passed in 2006, which shifted the tax structure for school funding from local property taxes to a statewide penny increase in the sales tax.

The reason was simple.  In some parts of the state, reassessment sent property taxes soaring. Homeowners were shocked when the tax bill came. Under pressure the legislature made a move that looked good with the passage of act 388.

Three years later we know the  consequences of the legislation. Businesses are being hammered. This year all four school districts in York County have no choice but to increase the tax on business to the maximum allowed by law.

When a business has to pay more, the cost always makes it to the consumer. This eventually will make our state businesses less competitive in the market place and cost our state more jobs.

I ask for your support as I fight for a new tax structure that promotes job creation,  school funding and a state government that is held accountable for spending our money.

Taxes
Roger is looking to run a common-sense campaign that will focus on the much-needed change of our tax-and-spend government, we need to reduce taxes and prioritize spending.” And truly be what we call ourselves and that is Conservative. Roger will go to Columbia and be a friend of the Taxpayer!

Government Spending
Roger believes that fighting spending is critical to the success of our state, as a Republican Roger will fight the way Columbia spends the family tax dollar.

Immigration
Roger believes that with us being a nation of immigrants that was built by the people who followed rules stood in line and became American citizens legally then all should play by these same rules now. America is loosing out to Illegal Immigration. We must stand of the rule of law and stand up to those elected officials who support Amnesty.

Pro-Life
Roger is a defender of Pro-Life and believes that every life has value; He supports various programs like Palmetto Pregnancy Center and will be an advocate for any bill that supports Life.

Second Amendment
Roger is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and believes that Americans have the right to bear arms if they follow the rule of law.

Vote September 15