Homeschooling is a tax burden?

I was told by someone recently that I am taking away from her children by homeschooling. Huh? I was really stunned and asked her to explain. She was happy to explain her position that the local school has less money because my kids are not there to bring the money set aside for them to the local school. She feels that because of budget cuts in this state, all homeschoolers should return their kids to school so that more money will come to the school, thus benefiting her children.

Well, let's think about this. We each pay our property taxes, right? When I look on my property tax bill I see the same amount of money goes towards the local schools, including community colleges. So, my question is where do my taxes go if not to the school? I pay the same taxes as everyone else. Shouldn't that money go to the local school where we live?

After we talked for awhile, the woman was a little bit perplexed. She was sure that her position was correct, but my statements had now made her think...where do homeschooler's taxes go? Who is pocketing these tax dollars? The same applies for people without children. They pay property taxes and the local schools do not automatically get the money. The testing system decides where the money goes.

I pay my taxes AND pay to educate my children myself. I do not get any tax benefits or tax breaks for homeschool curriculum. In our state, the schools get $9500 per student, per year (source click here). I can tell you I DO NOT spend that much per child. I spend about $500 per child, per year...and that includes fieldtrips, clubs, science experiments, etc. (Are you wondering why you are asked for so many supplies yet?)

So tell me...whose child is the greater tax burden?