Fayette County School officials held a press conference today and also sent out information to parents opposing new tax reforms that could come before the General Assembly this year.
The system, along with other high growth systems in the state, are concerned that school ssytems would lose money and local control over the various proposals being floated by different legislators.
“As our system is facing the pressures of increasing growth in population, we have greater demand than most in keeping up with the pace of development. Additionally, our community has a strong commitment to education, above and beyond the measures set out and funded by the state of Georgia.
As a matter of fact, the State of Georgia does provide funding for education; however, as a percentage of total general fund revenues, state funding has shrunk from 54.4% to 50.4% in the last five years, from fiscal year 2003 to 2007.Additionally, 51.7 % is now being provided by local funding for fiscal year 2008,” read the system’s press release.
System officials said they would not be able to provide the extracurricular activities such as band, art and music that are currently funded.
The release also explained that bond financing in Fayette County has been secured to be repaid over the next 20 years in the amount of $195.6 million.
“Some of the most recent versions of the proposed tax reforms would not eliminate the property taxes for citizens if their local school systems have bonded indebtedness until that debt is paid off. Therefore, if any measure is passed with this exception included, the citizens of Fayette County will have to pay both property taxes and the new sales tax for the next 20 years. In other words our citizens would be double taxed under such a proposal,” read the release.