Superintendent answers questions about use of proposed tax increase

August 11, 2007 09:54 pm

— In a recent interview with Dr. Barry Carroll, superintendent of the Limestone County Schools, he provided the following answers to questions posed to him regarding the 1-cent sales tax vote that will take place Aug. 14.
Q: What options do citizens have to generate more money for schools?
A: There are basically two options for increasing revenue for schools. One is through property taxes and the other is a sales tax.
Q: Why did the school board decide to ask for a sales-tax increase instead of a property-tax increase?
A: About a year ago, the citizens of Alabama were asked to vote on a property tax increase in order to bring all school systems in the state up to the 10-mil equivalent. For the Limestone County and Athens City Schools that was a 1.5 mil increase. Although the measure was approved statewide, more voters in Limestone County voted against the increase than for the increase, therefore, we decided a 1-cent sales tax would be our best option. In addition, everyone pays sales tax, including the tourists who get off the interstate in Limestone County. Also, with a property-tax increase, only a small percentage of people (property owners) actually pay the increase.
Q: How much would a 1-cent sales tax increase generate for Limestone County Schools?
A: Projections indicate the sales tax would generate approximately $5 to $6 million per year for the children in Limestone County Schools.
Q: The plan calls for $50 million in improvements. If the tax increase is approved, would the schools borrow the full $50 million now and then pay it back with the $5 to $6 million it receives each year from the sales tax increase?
A: The funds would be borrowed as approved.  We would have to work with the bond attorneys and lenders to determine the amounts to be borrowed.  The entire amount of revenue collected will be utilized for debt service on the bonds.
Q: How will the money be dispersed between Athens City Schools and Limestone County Schools?
A: The funds will be distributed based on a per-pupil basis. Funds are allocated on the percentage of students attending each school system. The Average Daily Membership (ADM) is determined annually and allocations are adjusted to reflect enrollment percentages. Currently, the Athens City Schools serve approximately 25 percent of the public school student population in Limestone County and the Limestone County Schools serve approximately 75 percent of the students in Limestone County. The funds are allocated accordingly.
Q: How much of the revenue generated by a 1-cent sales tax would go to personnel, salaries and benefits?
A: None, not one penny. Every penny collected for the Limestone County Schools would be used for new schools and facility improvements.
Q: You receive a yearly salary of $129,533, plus a vehicle. County principals receive $89,700 per year on average. Athens High school principal earns 98,000 a year. County head coaches receive $56,900 per year on average. Athens High’s head coach earns $75,000. What do you say to residents who believe school officials are paid too well, so they are reluctant to vote for the 1-cent sales tax increase?
A: Again, the 1-cent sales tax is for the construction and renovation of facilities, not salaries.  
Q: Can you assure the citizens of the Limestone County that all money collected would be used for facilities in the Limestone County Schools?
A: Yes. In our plan entitled “A Look to the Future,” we have openly presented the projects that would be addressed with the additional revenue. Our school board members and I have made a commitment to follow the plan as it was presented. We have indicated to everyone the projects that would be addressed with the revenue generated.
Q: What is the “A Look to the Future” plan?
A: It is facilities plan that school board members and I (along with staff members) created to address the many facilities needs in the Limestone County School system.
Q: What projects are in the “A Look to the Future” plan?
A: New elementary schools at Clements, Elkmont and East Limestone; New gymnasiums at East Limestone, Ardmore, West Limestone and Owens; Cafeteria renovations at Elkmont, Ardmore, Tanner and Owens; Renovations to all high schools; land acquisition at Tanner and West Limestone; and projects including paving and other improvement projects. Our capital plan can be viewed on the Limestone County Schools Web site at http://www.lcsk12.org
Q: Do you believe the teachers and parents of the Limestone County Schools will support a 1-cent sales tax increase?
A: Yes. I certainly believe the teachers and parents understand our needs. We have portable classrooms because of overcrowded schools, physical-education facilities without air conditioning, leaking roofs that cannot be repaired, cafeterias and kitchens in need of upgrades, and many other facility needs. I believe our parents realize that a 1-cent sales tax is a small price to pay for our children. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 cannot vote for themselves. I am confident that our teachers and parents will stand up for their children and vote yes.
Q: What would happen if the sales tax fails?
A: Our student population is growing. We had 8,537 students last year. We expect approximately 8,700 students this year. It is projected that by 2012, we will have more than 10,000 students in the Limestone County Schools. If we don’t begin preparing now for the future, I believe we will experience extreme difficulty by 2009. We will experience overcrowded schools, overcrowded classrooms and an increased number of portables. Deteriorating buildings will be the norm. I am sure the citizens and communities will be concerned about each of these issues. The time to vote yes is now, so we can avoid these issues.
Q: What is the likelihood of having to consolidate schools or cut programs if voters don’t approve this tax increase?
A: Consolidation of schools has not been discussed. I don’t believe the idea of consolidating our high schools would be very popular in our communities. We will have to cut some programs and teacher units. We cannot maintain facilities while continuing to provide all teacher units and programs without additional revenue.
Q: When you and the school board members came up with the plan, did you explain the plan to Athens Mayor Dan Williams?
A: Yes. I invited Mayor Williams of Athens and Mayor Shannon of Ardmore, along with other government officials, to view the plan before we presented it for approval to the Board of Education and the County Commission. He attended the meeting and knew exactly what we were proposing.
Q: Why is Mayor Williams so opposed to a sales tax that would benefit schools?
A: I really don’t know, but in an email response to one of our teachers, Mayor Williams stated, “Why would the county school system ask me to vote to increase my sales tax to support their system when my grandchildren attend city schools and live in the city?”
The truth is, the sales tax would benefit his grandchildren and all the children in Athens City Schools and Limestone County Schools. From statements he has made, it appears Mayor Williams is concerned about the future of Athens, but not about our children. Our children are the future of Athens and Limestone County.
Q: In an article that appeared March 27, Mayor Williams stated, “I’m not trying to drive a wedge between the city and the county, but we don’t keep “them” out. We don’t try to keep “their children” out of our recreation program and library. We don’t put any restrictions on “them” at all.” Do you believe the mayor has created a division between the city and county by coming out against the sales tax?
A: First of all, Mayor Williams refers to the citizens of Limestone County as “them.” That response by Mayor Williams indicates that he thinks those of us who live in the county are “outsiders”… not from here. He implies that only the citizens who live inside the city limits pay for the facilities in the city. We, who live outside the city limits, pay as much sales tax in the city for Athens city facilities as do the citizens who live inside the city limits of Athens. Limestone County citizens (who live outside the city limits) support Athens, but Mayor Williams opposes supporting the county children and schools. It seems to me that he is doing exactly what he said he is not doing – driving a wedge between us.
Q: How long would the tax be collected?
A: For 10 years. I have been told the 1-cent sales tax would be collected beginning Jan. 1, 2008 and ending Dec. 31, 2017. This 1-cent sales tax increase would sunset (go away) after 10 years.
Q: Could the school board or the County Commission extend the tax increase after 10 years?
A: The 1-cent sales tax would sunset in 10 years. If approved on Aug. 14, the only way for it to be extended would be by a vote of the people again in 10 years (1-cent sales tax renewal).
Q: Do you have any other comments regarding the sales tax?
A: Yes. Please vote yes on Aug. 14 so we can provide better facilities for our students.

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