School board raises taxes
Wednesday August 8, 2007 11:36:25am
School taxes will go up this year.
The Catoosa County Board of Education voted 4-1 Tuesday night to raise the property tax rate from 15.578 mills to 16.828 mills. School board member David Moeller voted against the increase.
A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of property value, and the change will mean an additional $37.50 from the owner of a $100,000 house with standard exemptions. School officials said one of the biggest reasons for the increase is that state funding has been cut by a collective $9.4 million since 2003.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How they voted
Don Dycus – Yes
Jane Everett – Yes
Melvin Edwards – Yes
Billy Joe McDaniel – Yes
David Moeller – No
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School board member Melvin Edwards said he has stood against raising taxes on many occasions. On Tuesday night, Edwards was the last one to raise his hand to enter a “yes” vote.
However, Edwards said he favors the increase because he believes there is no way to make ends meet – without sacrificing the quality of education – any other way.
“We’ve cut this year. We really have,” he said, referring to reductions in staff and the elimination of the elementary school Spanish program, among other cuts.
Board member Billy Joe McDaniel agreed with the need for an increase.
“We had no choice,” he said, adding he wishes the state government’s current revenue surplus would be funneled toward education. “They’ve got several million dollars in excess money and they could turn some loose.”
“On behalf of the taxpayer”
David Moeller, who has been on the school board since January, said he voted against the tax increase because of a philosophical difference.
“I’m somebody who believes that significant cuts should come before an increase to the taxpayer,” he said. “I do not benefit from the experience of the rest of the board and if I am going to make an error in judgment I have to do so on behalf of the taxpayer.”
Moeller said he still respects Superintendent Denia Reese and the others who compiled the budget but would rather have explored more ways to cut costs. He said he also supports the building of Heritage High School, something several taxpayers criticized as being too extravagant.
After sparse attendance at the first two public hearings on the proposed tax increase July 31, about 25 people attended the final hearing on Tuesday before the regular board meeting. Some taxpayers said more people would have attended the meetings if they had not been held at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. – during the standard workday – and also suggested that residents didn’t believe the board would listen to their wishes anyhow.
While no one questioned the need to build an additional high school to relieve overcrowded Ringgold and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe high schools, several people asked why the new $41.6 million school couldn’t be constructed more economically.
One resident, who told a television news cameraman not to film him during the public meeting and left shortly after it adjourned, questioned the need for building Heritage High with so many “bells and whistles” such as decorative brick siding and other aesthetics.
“Does it have to be so fancy?” he said. “I mean, we’re the ones having to pay for it.”
Reese, who fielded most of the questions from the audience and also gave a formal presentation explaining the reasons for a tax increase, said the only difference between Heritage High and the other high schools is that it has a theater and auditorium. Its newness makes it seem fancy, but it is not out of line with other schools in the area, she said.
School officials said Heritage High was built entirely from sales tax dollars rather than property tax, although its upkeep will come from local funds after it opens. They also said that while it will represent additional costs in next year’s budget, it wasn’t a factor in raising taxes this year.
“More money, more money”
Other taxpayers said school officials should keep in mind that tax increases are hard on people and they should spend money wisely.
“Every time you turn around it’s more money, more money,” said Ringgold resident Paul Lee. “My businesses wouldn’t succeed if I went out and spent money like there ain’t no tomorrow.”
Reese said the school system does act responsibly and added that Lee had missed all of the presentation she gave at the beginning of the meeting explaining the need for a tax increase.
“I’m going to take exception to your comment that the school system’s budget has been mismanaged because that is not the case,” she said. “Our students are receiving a world-class education for a minimum amount of money.”
Others later questioned Reese’s statement, saying that Georgia ranks near the bottom of the nation in the SAT scores used in college admissions considerations. Reese said the school system ranks far above the state average in state-mandated tests though.
Ringgold resident David Warren also opposed the tax increase.
“I’d like to retire one day, but if you keep going up on my property taxes, I’m not going to be able to retire,” he said. “I’m going to have to keep working.”
He suggested charging fees to cover education costs.
“We do ask our parents to make a donation,” Reese responded, “but in Georgia it’s against the law to charge for a public education.”
Several people also asked why all the additional subdivisions being built in the county aren’t bringing in more tax revenue. School officials said the costs of funding education for the children who live in the new houses is greater than the additional money their property taxes brings in.
“The best thing”
School board chairman Don Dycus said the board could have cut more from the budget while still complying with state mandates but chose not to cut in many areas because he believes people expect certain services. He mentioned school nurses as one example. “There are certain services we have chosen to provide,” he said.
Board member Jane Everett said many of the naysayers have overlooked the fact that while taxes are going up, the schools are also doing without some programs that would have benefited students, such as the Spanish program and middle school graduation coaches in each school. Raising the millage rate ensures that other programs aren’t cut, she said.
“It’s the best thing for our students,” she said.
Jones said that although the boardroom wasn’t packed even for the final public hearing, people are still paying attention to the board’s actions.
“Please do not mistake apathy for approval,” he said. “Every vote that you make, as you know, is going to put your (seat) on the line.”
Officials said it’s too soon to predict how next year’s budget will look and whether the millage rate will change.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Covering the shortfall
Revenue shortfall – $5.69 million
Projected revenue from tax increase – $1.83 million
School system’s reserve funds – $3.8 million
Total balanced budget – $96.95 million
Source: Catoosa County Public Schools
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Catoosa County Board of Education voted 4-1 Tuesday night to raise the property tax rate from 15.578 mills to 16.828 mills. School board member David Moeller voted against the increase.
A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of property value, and the change will mean an additional $37.50 from the owner of a $100,000 house with standard exemptions. School officials said one of the biggest reasons for the increase is that state funding has been cut by a collective $9.4 million since 2003.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How they voted
Don Dycus – Yes
Jane Everett – Yes
Melvin Edwards – Yes
Billy Joe McDaniel – Yes
David Moeller – No
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School board member Melvin Edwards said he has stood against raising taxes on many occasions. On Tuesday night, Edwards was the last one to raise his hand to enter a “yes” vote.
However, Edwards said he favors the increase because he believes there is no way to make ends meet – without sacrificing the quality of education – any other way.
“We’ve cut this year. We really have,” he said, referring to reductions in staff and the elimination of the elementary school Spanish program, among other cuts.
Board member Billy Joe McDaniel agreed with the need for an increase.
“We had no choice,” he said, adding he wishes the state government’s current revenue surplus would be funneled toward education. “They’ve got several million dollars in excess money and they could turn some loose.”
“On behalf of the taxpayer”
David Moeller, who has been on the school board since January, said he voted against the tax increase because of a philosophical difference.
“I’m somebody who believes that significant cuts should come before an increase to the taxpayer,” he said. “I do not benefit from the experience of the rest of the board and if I am going to make an error in judgment I have to do so on behalf of the taxpayer.”
Moeller said he still respects Superintendent Denia Reese and the others who compiled the budget but would rather have explored more ways to cut costs. He said he also supports the building of Heritage High School, something several taxpayers criticized as being too extravagant.
After sparse attendance at the first two public hearings on the proposed tax increase July 31, about 25 people attended the final hearing on Tuesday before the regular board meeting. Some taxpayers said more people would have attended the meetings if they had not been held at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. – during the standard workday – and also suggested that residents didn’t believe the board would listen to their wishes anyhow.
While no one questioned the need to build an additional high school to relieve overcrowded Ringgold and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe high schools, several people asked why the new $41.6 million school couldn’t be constructed more economically.
One resident, who told a television news cameraman not to film him during the public meeting and left shortly after it adjourned, questioned the need for building Heritage High with so many “bells and whistles” such as decorative brick siding and other aesthetics.
“Does it have to be so fancy?” he said. “I mean, we’re the ones having to pay for it.”
Reese, who fielded most of the questions from the audience and also gave a formal presentation explaining the reasons for a tax increase, said the only difference between Heritage High and the other high schools is that it has a theater and auditorium. Its newness makes it seem fancy, but it is not out of line with other schools in the area, she said.
School officials said Heritage High was built entirely from sales tax dollars rather than property tax, although its upkeep will come from local funds after it opens. They also said that while it will represent additional costs in next year’s budget, it wasn’t a factor in raising taxes this year.
“More money, more money”
Other taxpayers said school officials should keep in mind that tax increases are hard on people and they should spend money wisely.
“Every time you turn around it’s more money, more money,” said Ringgold resident Paul Lee. “My businesses wouldn’t succeed if I went out and spent money like there ain’t no tomorrow.”
Reese said the school system does act responsibly and added that Lee had missed all of the presentation she gave at the beginning of the meeting explaining the need for a tax increase.
“I’m going to take exception to your comment that the school system’s budget has been mismanaged because that is not the case,” she said. “Our students are receiving a world-class education for a minimum amount of money.”
Others later questioned Reese’s statement, saying that Georgia ranks near the bottom of the nation in the SAT scores used in college admissions considerations. Reese said the school system ranks far above the state average in state-mandated tests though.
Ringgold resident David Warren also opposed the tax increase.
“I’d like to retire one day, but if you keep going up on my property taxes, I’m not going to be able to retire,” he said. “I’m going to have to keep working.”
He suggested charging fees to cover education costs.
“We do ask our parents to make a donation,” Reese responded, “but in Georgia it’s against the law to charge for a public education.”
Several people also asked why all the additional subdivisions being built in the county aren’t bringing in more tax revenue. School officials said the costs of funding education for the children who live in the new houses is greater than the additional money their property taxes brings in.
“The best thing”
School board chairman Don Dycus said the board could have cut more from the budget while still complying with state mandates but chose not to cut in many areas because he believes people expect certain services. He mentioned school nurses as one example. “There are certain services we have chosen to provide,” he said.
Board member Jane Everett said many of the naysayers have overlooked the fact that while taxes are going up, the schools are also doing without some programs that would have benefited students, such as the Spanish program and middle school graduation coaches in each school. Raising the millage rate ensures that other programs aren’t cut, she said.
“It’s the best thing for our students,” she said.
Jones said that although the boardroom wasn’t packed even for the final public hearing, people are still paying attention to the board’s actions.
“Please do not mistake apathy for approval,” he said. “Every vote that you make, as you know, is going to put your (seat) on the line.”
Officials said it’s too soon to predict how next year’s budget will look and whether the millage rate will change.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Covering the shortfall
Revenue shortfall – $5.69 million
Projected revenue from tax increase – $1.83 million
School system’s reserve funds – $3.8 million
Total balanced budget – $96.95 million
Source: Catoosa County Public Schools
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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whodey77Comments: 4 Joined: 06/02/2007 |
08/11/2007 11:52:11 AM
To answer your lottery question Maggie, to my knowledge, school systems receive lottery money only for Pre-K programs now. In fact, the reason for the coupon book sale in the county is to raise technology monies because the Catoosa schools are not receiving that money from the lottery anymore. In response to the contribution comment, I can tell you that close to 100% participation is a joke at the middle and high school levels. Perhaps at the elementary levels, but not 6-12. |
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maggie Comments: 1360 Joined: 01/08/2006 |
08/10/2007 03:35:38 PM
Blueline, you raise some very interesting points and I remember when Ringgold finally got a softball field, it was the parents that did all the work. I posted this earlier and wish someone would respond, does it cost 1500.00 for cheerleading at all the schools or just Heritage and do all the schools tell the girls, if you don't have the money don't try out? |
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blueline0201 Comments: 1 Joined: 08/10/2007 |
08/10/2007 09:41:26 AM
Ms Reece, "only difference between Heritage High and the other high schools is that it has a theater and auditorium". Come on get a clue. There are major differences and major discrepencies both at the highschool and middleschool levels. All you have to do is to take a fisrt hand look at the new HS and HMS and you see how extravagant it is, while the existing facilities are falling into non repair. Examples of delapidated facilities are the field lights that fell off the power pole during a ball game because they were rotten or the visitor bleachers, half have fell down due to being rotten, the current bleachers at LMS are in pitiful shape, the fence on the football filed that has fell down several times, the rust on the fence, the wrestling building (old house) that LMS used for last 7-8 years would have been condemed if inspected as there were no structeral supports in the building, the football practice area was a parking lot with large rocks, no grass and a metal grate. I could go on and on about LMS. The county School Board has not addressed hardly any of these issues. They did build a small gym that the wrestlers could use, but at least 7 years too late. When the kids ran in the old building, the floor below them would actually bounce. The football practice area was corrected by the parents bringing in 42 loads of dirt, grass seed and sprinklers (paid for by the parents-$8000 est). This at the same time they built Heritage Middle with two gyms. I was amazed when my son that wrestles, went to a match there and I saw the two gyms, while we were using a dangerous house that could fall in at any time. The Heritage Middle football field equals LFO or Ringgold Highschool and was built by county funds.LFO- where to begin. In around 1980-81, the county school board REFUSED to build LFO a football field, 6 years after the highschool was built. The students, coaches and parents raised the monies to build the small staduim we have now. I as a football player spent many afternoons picking rocks off the field, laying sod, etc. My dad and several others helped put up the stands. What did the county do? NOTHING! Now they want to build all the facilities at Heritage, ie football field, base ball, etc. with county monies. LFO needs more seating, there is rust on the bleachers, fence, Grass is growing in the asphault newr the bleachers, there are holes and "dips" in the asphault that are dangerous, the athletic building is way too small and LFo is in bad need of another building for wrestling and cheerleading. The problem is that the county has not offered to help build it, they spent all thier money on a extravegant Heritage High and Middle school. I wonder, if Heritage highschool with have an athletic building built by the school system? Probably so. I know, someone like Dycus will say, we are "planning" to build a 2nd gym at LFO and Ringgold HS. Yea they are, but why not build it "for the overcrowded schhols" now instead of waiting until they are not overcrowded. Explain that logic. Third, has anyone looked at the zoning for LFo and Heritage HS. Lfo has been zoned almost entirely to the poor students in the old lakeview and Fo area. The houses behind LFO, I have been told were zoned to Heritage, a rocks throw from LFo high school. What the school system has created is a nice new system for the upper middle class, and an old worn out system for the poor? Thats fair and equal? I think that someone could challenge these discrepencies in court? And if some one in the school board or Ms Reece wants to answer back, I have alot more I can say. Why not, Instead of spending all the new millions from the E splost on the new schools, why dont we earmark say $1,000,000 per school to upgrade the existing highschools and middle schools. Also, why dont the school board and principle tour each school from one end to the other finding problems and correcting them immediately? Yea go ahead and go up on property taxes. the teachers with their PHDs at the elementary schools do not make enough money and you of couse do not have enough employees in the county office. Promote some more to help out with all this work that all yall are doing. Last ration I heard is 1 employee for every 10 studennts in Catoosa County schools. What do they do all day is my question. How can I get a job like that? A very concerned parent and Catoosa County Taxpayer |
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maggie Comments: 1360 Joined: 01/08/2006 |
08/09/2007 02:29:09 PM
Something else I thought about, where is all the money from the lottery being spent?? I know that the pre-K program is funded through lottery funds, but the lottery brings in a lot of money and it is suppose to be spent on education, what is it being spent on??? |
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maggie Comments: 1360 Joined: 01/08/2006 |
08/08/2007 06:23:50 PM
Breaks my heart that they had to cut the Spanish programs and middle school graduation coaches. They could make more cuts, like much of the fluff they have at the county office. I would like to see a published expense sheet broken down, so the average person can understand it. I want to know how much is taken in and how much is spent each year to the penny. I would like to know how much it costs each year per student. They say that the increased taxes from more houses don't cover the cost of new students, but not everyone who moves here has children and more and more of the subdivisions being built are in the 200,000 and above price range and those houses are paying taxes of 1,000 plus. My taxes are already over 1600 a year and now they will like be over 1700. That makes my house payment go higher and it is already high enough. They also say that they can't charge fees, but they do. Yes, it is called a contribution fee, but don't pay it and you will be hounded to death until you do. Also, they send home a long list of supplies that parents are suppose to buy along with a wish list. They also send reminders if you don't buy these supplies. Not only that every year parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors are deluged with fund raisers. Where doesn all the money go???? A school with 400 students brings in $10,000 at 25.00 per student. Yes, I am sure there are some who don't pay, but I would say the majority do. My daughter spent roughly 50.00 for supplies she bought off the list and if all 400 parents spend the same, that is another $20,000. Where does that $30,000 go??? |
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