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June 15,
2006
How
much will the school board raise your taxes?
School
Superintendents all over the State have been complaining
for months about the cuts in Education from the State and
how those cuts will affect the local schools. Jasper
County residents haven’t heard a peep out of the School
Superintendent or the School Board.
Butts County Board of Education just raised their revenues
with a 7% tax hike. Newton County BOE has raised theirs
4.8%. Many other counties either have or will follow suit.
(A 2 mil increase will raise Jasper County property owner’s
taxes by about 7%.)
Jasper County Schools have always been one of the sacred
cows in our county. Citizens don’t dare complain about what
goes on or how much taxes are raised. Usually the Commissioners
get the blame for any tax increases. The School Board sets
a budget and the property owners pick up the bill. Has
there ever been a year that the School Budget doesn’t increase?
Has there ever been a cut? The taxpayers not
only pay for the operation of the schools, but also are
paying a 1% sales tax to build a new school, and still have
old bonds to pay off that are added to our tax bills.
The portion of your property tax bill that goes
to the school system is around 55%. (If you
live in the City of Monticello that percentage would be
less because of the high taxes levied by the City, but the
schools still would get over 50%.) Even
though they can tax us at any amount they see fit, the School
Board won’t hear your voice at any of their meetings unless
you go through several “hoops” and are ALLOWED by the Superintendent
to be put on the meeting agenda.
It is time the School Board had a more “open government”
policy. Citizens should be allowed to address the Board.
There should be time for public comment at every
School Board meeting –work session and regular meeting.
Qualifying for School Board seats in Districts 1, 3, and
5 start on June 26, 2006 and end June 30, 2006. Three
new members could be possible if citizens would get involved
and run for these positions. The 3 current
members for Districts 1, 3, and 5 do not have children in
the Jasper County School System. Citizens we have talked
to feel these members are out of touch with what goes on.
New blood can bring fresh, new ideas. If you know someone
who is willing to get involved and run for a school board
seat, please encourage him or her. Voting will be July 18,
2006.
4-28-06 State Mandates causes budget pressures in Jackson
County
The
Jackson Herald
4-24-06
State mandates causing money crunch for Bibb Schools
The
Macon Telegraph
4-16-05
Gwinnett BOE criticizes state mandated education policies
The
Gwinnett Daily Post
5-2-06
Hall County Board of Education struggles with taxes and
state mandates
The
Gainesville Times
5-12-06
School funding and state mandates are a mess in Georgia
Another
Voice From Oconee County
TWG
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Mission
Statement:
** To keep the taxpayers of Jasper County, Georgia informed
as to where and how their tax dollars are being spent.
** To keep the taxpayers abreast of local policies and laws
being discussed and enacted.
** We advocate more open government, less government spending,
and lower property taxes.
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