New Tax Rate Promises New School
By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor
An announcement was made during a special community meeting Thursday evening August 28 between residents and Lawrence County Board of Education that taxes would be raised and Louisa West Elementary students would be out of an outdated and dilapidated school building that has been a dire need for many decades.
A presentation by the Lawrence County Superintendent Katie Webb was given to the citizens breaking down the phases of what the 4-percent tax rate increase would be used for before comments were made.
One business owner, parent and physician, Dr. Elaine Murray DeSario made comments as all three capacities, stating that it was important as a business owner to see the return of our tax dollars and as a parent, she’s concerned with children who can’t attend school because of mold problems within the LWES building as a health professional it’s a concern with allergies and asthma conditions.
“My mother (Rose Marie Murray) was a music teacher for years and started in 1955 and said the bathrooms still look and smell the same as they did back then,” said Dr. DeSario.
An opposing statement was made by a local preacher Tommy Adams saying although Lawrence County is second in the lowest paying property tax rate it is what attracts people to come here and live.
However, Wes Kingsmore, resident and LC Tourism Director rebutted by saying less taxes prevent growth and it’s time to step it up and move forward.
Superintendent Webb had a power point presentation ready for the audience that attended the special meeting.
“Say you have a piece of property that’s assessed at $100,000. It would be $31 more dollars for the year not the month, the year. That last dollar, that 31st dollar, if you own $100,000 worth of property, that’s the only amount that’s subject to recall,” Webb explained. “The dollar that will not be refunded will be used for what’s known as state equalization, allowing more state funding to be distributed to county schools to make some much-needed upgrades to schools that were built more than 60 years ago. It will take our bonding potential, which is right now between $14 and $15 million to $25 million.”
Phase one includes addition of safety vestibules and metal detectors at Blaine Fallsburg East Elementary Schools and Louisa Middle School, purchase of the Lawrence County Community Center on Bulldog Lane (making all facilities on Bulldog Lane LC on campus and allowing the schools to close the campus after school hours) and establishing Alumni Steering Committee.
Phase two will be renovation of Lawrence County Community Center (for a school), creation of LC Alumni Association and renovation of wing 1 of Louisa East Elementary (classrooms/restrooms). Wing 1 that has been used for adult education and will be returned to classrooms as they were in the past.
Phase three will be to move 1st grade from the Louisa West to the Louisa East school, move preschool and Kindergarten from Louisa West to Bulldog Lane, repurpose and sell Louisa West building and establish Alumni Hall of Fame.
Phase four will be affordable day care services to the new Louisa Early Learning Center and add early childcare pathway to Lawrence County High School.
Phase five boxed gyms at BES and FES (so their existing gyms can be cafeterias only during the day).
The tax rate does will effect automobile taxes or non-property owners. Senior citizens and disability recipients will be discounted. The new tax rate will go into effect immediately.
As for when the first phase will begin, that has not been released yet, but Webb says with the approval, “this is an investment in our students and the facilities that they go to.”