Monday, December 17, 2007
7-mill tax increase
Many have seen presentations on what the three local school systems could do with an additional 7 mills; but at Monday night’s voters forum, superintendents were asked what they would do if the referendum is defeated.
August 21, 2007
Many have seen presentations on what the three local school systems could do with an additional 7 mills; but at Monday night’s voters forum, superintendents were asked what they would do if the referendum is defeated.
The League of Women Voters of East Alabama hosted a voters forum at Opelika Middle School on the proposed 7-mill tax increase that Lee County, Auburn and Opelika residents will consider on Aug. 28.
Superintendents Dr. Mark Neighbors (Opelika City Schools), Dr. Terry Jenkins (Auburn City Schools) and interim Dr. Steve Nowlin (Lee County Schools) each gave a presentation to nearly 30 residents about how the increased millage may benefit their school systems.
Judge Bill English, forum moderator, asked the superintendents what the school systems would do if the tax increase were not passed by Lee County, Opelika and Auburn voters.
Nowlin said Lee County Schools has approximately $15 million in reserve that the system could access, but classrooms still need to be added in the future. There are approximately 23 mobile units at Smiths Station High School right now.
“We’d have to cut when we can and possibly come back in the future with additional sales tax requests,“ Nowlin said. “I’ve already cut $300,000 in personnel costs since I’ve been here for two weeks.“
Neighbors said Opelika City Schools always has money set aside for capital projects, approximately 16 mills, and 8 mills towards the system’s operating fund.
“We’d have to cut programs, teaching positions and look at how we can lean down the operating funds,“ Neighbors said.
Jenkins said the additional programs Auburn City Schools would like to see brought to students with the added mills would have to be eliminated completely.
“We’d have to go through programs we have now and see what could be reduced and see what we can do without,“ Jenkins said.
Both Auburn and Opelika also added that they’d turn to their city officials and mayors and possibly request additional funds if the referendum was not granted after the Aug. 28 election.
If approved, representatives from each school system said they are planning for additional construction needed for continued growth, higher learning programs and career technology assistance. Auburn, Opelika and Lee County residents would pay between $70 to $210 per year for property valued between $100,000 to $300,000.
The Auburn Chamber will host a forum with Superintendent Dr. Terry Jenkins and members of the Auburn School Board on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Auburn Chamber, 714 E. Glenn Ave.
The entire community is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information about the forum, contact the Auburn Chamber at 334-887-7011.