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?