Make Tribe pay its tax share

Dear Mr. Wheeler:

This letter concerns the budget for the 2020-2021 school year. Debt service is paid by taxes on non-Indians. This is not fair. Tribal members constitute an estimated 16.1% of enrollment, so the Swinomish Tribal Community should contribute a proportional amount. The reduced debt service, as a result of bond refunding, should be budgeted along with a contribution from the Tribe. Budget line item 2500 should reflect an amount for operation and maintenance as well as debt service.

The Tribe contributes $660,000 to operation and maintenance. That amount should be deducted from the...