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CCS doesn’t want penny tax
Interim superintendent says families can’t afford tax hike
Published Thursday, November 12, 2009
Covington County Interim Superintendent Terry Holley said Thursday the county school system’s board of education cannot, “in good conscience,” support a request for a 1-cent sales tax for education.
“We understand the economy is hurting everyone,” Holley said. “But with double-digit unemployment, the families of our students need their money just as much as (the school system does.)”
Holley said he felt residents needed to understand the board’s position on a recently proposed tax increase. He has informed both Opp Superintendent Michael Smithart and Andalusia Superintendent Dr. Beverly McAnulty of the board’s position.
In October, Smithart said he would ask the county commission to levy a 1-cent sales tax for education at the commission’s Nov. 9 meeting, with Smithart speaking on behalf of each of the three school systems in Covington County.
At the time, Commission Chairman Lynn Sasser said he believed commissioners would only agree to the tax if the county received a portion of its proceeds.
Smithart did not make his request at the Nov. 9 commission meeting, stating he had a scheduling conflict and could not attend. It is expected he will make his proposal at a future meeting.
“The way that (the CCS) looks at things is that we’ve been tightening our belt and looking for ways to curtail expenses — the closing of Florala Middle School at the end of this year is a prime example,” Holley said. “We’ve applied for some grants and have been successful. That helps tremendously.”
Previously, Smithart said systems would no longer be able to provide the current level of services without the public’s “investment” in the form of a 1-cent sales tax increase. McAnulty has said the system is “already hurting from proration, and next year looks like it could be even worse.”
It’s a position Holley agrees with wholeheartedly. But he does not feel a tax increase is the answer at this time.
“We’re concerned about the rest of the year but we don’t know what we’re going to be facing in the future,” he said. “I think it’s premature to ask for help now, especially when we don’t know how much help we’re going to need later on down the road.”
“But the fact is, the majority of the students in our schools — 60 percent — get free or reduced lunches,” he said. “What that tells us is, sure our schools are hurting, but our families are too.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “I won’t say that (the county schools system) won’t ever ask for help. If we need to, we won’t hesitate to readdress the issue, but by then, there will be a stronger need than there is right now.”
Comments
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud Mr. Holley for his statements. Unfortunately not everyone shares his conservative beliefs. The following is from WSFA.com this morning.
In other state education news the State Board of Education has approved a salary of nearly $290,000 a year for Alabama's new two-year college chancellor, Freida Hill. The school board voted to pay Hill $289,900 annually, provide her with a state car, a $24,000 annual housing allowance and pay up to $5,000 in moving expenses. She also qualifies for a yearly $15,000 performance bonus.
Posted by fredburpel (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Biscuits, You the man. They hold their hand out for the "kids", but the other hand is around back for all the goodies. ( $300 +K ) Thanks for keeping us informed and them on the defense. Think of the flowers we could plant in Andy for that LMAO.
Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good morning biscuits, I must agree with you. Until the Andalusia Star News 'reporting' and coverage I don't think the County residents knew that the schools were siphoning $40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Dollars plus) per year for the area's 6000 kids grade K-12. That fiqure would make headline news if someone 'won the lottery' with that amount, but here that's every single year, not a bad deal, huh.
Now remember biscuits while Mr. Holley maded the announcement, he can't speak without say so, or School Board approval, and he is just a 'temporary' Superintendent until their real pick is announced, and you can 'bet the family farm' that they will be back when the 'pressure' is not on by the newspaper and the public. All the talk about 'consolidation' from the public 'awoke' the 3 different Schools Boards and Administrations......and with good annual salary reasons no less................Parents and Grandparents and PTA members, remember you DO qualify to run for School Board yourselfs, you do not have to be a teacher, and the elections are forthcomming to 'qualify' in a few short weeks.
Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I mean yea that's definately a lot of money but, we can't complain about how much she make's because she's probably got mulitple degree's including a doctorate degree and she is running a very large system of community college's. Personally she's probably earned that pay.
Posted by realtrucker (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep up the good work Mr. Holley. Increased taxes are not the answer. We are all Taxed Enough. Everyone these days has their hands out and the American People have had enough. Mr. Smithhart needs to operate on a tight budget just like the rest of us.
Posted by fredburpel (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mbishop, maybe "you" can't complain. Multiple degree's including a doctorate doesn't impress me when it comes to that amount of money. Maybe a bid system instead of a board of peers might serve as well. The requirements would be the same. No disrespect to your education or opinion.
Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuitandhoovergravy, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our...........sorry wrong line, you're telling me that the State Board of Education is going to pay in excess of $300k per year for her to 'educate students' that will have the potential to 'earn' $24k per year upon graduation from a two year college? What is the potential 'earn' in our County for a High School Diploma from our forty million dollar system, $9-15k per year if their lucky? Inquiring Minds Want To Know....
Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe a one cent tax is not the answer at this particular time as quoted in this statement from the above article:
"It’s a position Holley agrees with wholeheartedly. But he does not feel a tax increase is the answer at this time."
As fredburpel has already said "watch both hands" when pretty talk is issued in the paper.. (who walks away from free money especially a government agency).
Be watchful for a radical increase in property taxes as an alternative. Government is going to keep up a life style regardless of whether the people are starving to death or not. Misery is at our doorsteps.
Posted by Parley (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Government makes fiscal policy which controls our economy, so Government should revise such policies that exist in order to improve the economy.
We are a representative republic, not a true democracy. We vote for our representatives and they are ethically bound to represent us. Should they fail, we have to vote someone in that will represent us.
Problem is, very few incorruptable folks are willing to walk thru the vetting process and stand up for us.
We need folks that will truly represent the people and their interests, rather than feather their own nests.
As for a $300K salary paid to an ADMINISTRATOR...it is an obnoxious insult to the children of the average blue collar worker ....
Everyone should realize that Mr. Holley has a vested interest in being "POPULAR" with the citizens of Covington County. Don't forget that He is also one of the candidates for PERMANENT Superintendent. Isn't he? Think about that...
CUDO's for the Andalusia Star News reporting the tax increase and keeping the public informed. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS baby !!! We won this battle, but if we turn our backs we will loose the War. Eternal Vigilence is the true price of freedom. Let's keep the Pressure on to educate our kids and keep their hands our of the kids cookie jar...
Give'm Hell Buscuits !!!! you should be in office...
Posted by rlb1940 (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The County Commissioners needs the 'schools' to do the 'asking' for the new tax (which is to be shared by the commission), the Andalusia Mayor has layed out his position by telling us Andalusia is doing good right now & Dr. McAnulty has stayed silent. Opp SuperIntendent Micheal Smithhart suddenly developed 'an out of whack' schedule and couldn't attend the proposed tax meeting. Florala's Terry Holley and the Covington County School Boards "Interim" Superintendent now has announced that 60% of the county's students are below the National 'Poverty' Level thus the parents arn't in a position for another tax increase on the neccessities of daily living expenses.
The general public has now found out just how much money the schools really go through in a year and the amount is astronomical for a small southern rural county in South Alabama. Most of the county's population don't even know the Covington County School Board is an elected office, nor who the board members are, or how long they've been there, or what the qualifications are to 'seek' the office that controls our schools, teachers, textbooks, principals, school year calender, school budgets, retirements, appointments of employees, new hirees, or the 'power' to close or open a school, or the 'power' to decide whether to hire someone that can base a 'career' and life in our educational system forever. It seems this position of 'power' has grown to a large proportion in the current times in which we now live that 'impacts' the lives of many or almost everyone in the county now. I hope that the positions on the School Board will be looked at 'closer' this time when we vote next June for a position that effects this many lives, pocketbooks, and education.
Posted by former2greenville (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
State funding of state officials of state-run colleges have NOTHING to do with local funding of LOCAL schools. Stop comparing apples to donkeys.
What you say is a ridiculus amount of money to run our county schools - is based on what? Your perception? Compare it in per-student funding vesres other school systems in the area, state, and also the national avarage. There are federally-mandated reports where you can do exactly that on the State Board of Ed site www.alsde.edu
You will find that in Alabama, and in Covington County, we accomplish more per-student-dollar than anywhere you can compare. Or to put it in a way that even the poorest-educated, illiterate loosers who post ignorant comments in here can understand: OUR SCHOOLS GIT-R-DONE.
Thank you, Mr. Holley, for showing the public that we can eliminate waste and that our schools are frugal with taxpayer's money. Unfortunately, there are only so many schools we can close.
Anyone who wants a unified district and centralized schools must take a better look at the tragedies that are the Mobile- and Conecuh County school systems.
Posted by Parley (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey there "former2greenville" ref: your last posting...
I wonder where those "poorest-educated", "illiterate loosers" who post got there education..Hmmm Covington County ?
The point is that the STATE funds local schools too from the State Education budget, and to pay someone $300K from that fund is obnoxious to the folks down here dealing with the Covington County economy..
Your post sounds like you are a holyerthanthou insider in the Dept of Education.. ARE YOU? Your condesending remarks ring of the typical educated fools running government nowadays...
As for "Our Schools Git-r-done" how about checking the drop out rates over the past years, yall sure did get that done...
the CHUTZPUH of some folks... huh?
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hugs Parley's neck...PREACH !
Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
former2greenville, In responce to your explanation of "as per student funding" being at or below the national average--------The per capita income for Covington County, Alabama is only $15,000 per year according to the National Census, and then compare that with $7000 per year per captia per student.............it depends on the Income Level of the "AREA" you are computing, and I have just quoted you ours in Covington County.
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Having no kids in the school system and only living in the local area for the past 3 years could someone educate me on why we need 3 school systems in this relatively small, mostly rural country. Perhaps Covington County Interim Superintendent Terry Holley is really trying to preserve the current dynasty should he lose the Interim part of his job title. I do applaud his statement but due to the way government entities operate I am questioning the true motive. I would like it to be for the reasons he stated but seldom does the truth precede the facts these days. Just asking.
Posted by gypsy1 (anonymous) on November 14, 2009 at 5:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets start at the top here when we talk about cutting expenses... sell those county vehicles that the superintendent drives home on everyday. Chances are they will still keep their job if they take those away. They can buy their own ride and gas just like I do.
Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on November 14, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
former2greenville you are very judgemental in your statement as far as the uneducated, loosers go, but then again you sound like a very judgemenal person so I question your status in the school system. But, even the uneducated loosers you speak of still have the right to there opinion!!!!!!
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