On the last place on the ballot November 6
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
“…Are you for or against the Lawrence County Board of Education’s levy of an additional equivalent tax rate of five cents on each one hundred dollars valuation of real and personal property to raise funds that would be dedicated strictly to new construction, major renovation of existing school facilities and debt service?…”
FOR? or AGAINST?
Lawrence Co. Supt. Robbie Fletcher makes a statement to the public:
“…We have several facility needs in our district. There are repairs and upgrades that are needed at every school, with the replacement of Louisa West as the most expensive cost. Board members and I have talked with various legislators for funding that would not cost the tax payer any additional money. Basically, the legislators have said that we will not receive any additional funding from the state unless we add the nickel to the property taxes. According to the statewide financial advisor, the nickel tax will generate $5.68 million dollars, and the state will contribute approximately $7.3 million. Since we have paid some of our debts from the past, we will be able to bond (borrow) an estimated total of $20 million dollars for a new school and for other upgrades at other buildings. While I understand that times are tough, I hope that people can see that this is worth their money. Any support that people can give FOR this nickel levy will be greatly appreciated for generations to come. “
No. Where does it stop? A nickel now, a nickel two years from now etc. It is not the fault of Lawrence County citizens that money that was supposed to be used by the BOE to maintain schools was spent on other things. There has to be more accountability on all county spending.
Absolutely right. A big NO. Our taxes are out the roof already. It doesn’t have to stay 5 cents. It can go up and down. Too much waste already. I visited the high school a few years ago. The doors in the restroom were missing. Lockers were a mess. I was so disappointed.
This is information that Dr. Fletcher provided me when I asked about the tax. I’m assuming that it is okay to post on a public forum since it effects the community and he is answering questions via the one call from the school.
construction projects are paid in a manner that is similar to our homes being financed. The nickel tax would be “in effect” for the next 20 years. The nickel will not generate enough money in one, two, three, or even 8-9 years to pay for the project. Here is an explanation:
The following is brand new information that I have not released as of yet. I recently had Ross, Sinclaire, and Associates create a bonding potential matrix based on current property assessments. Joe Nance (Vice-President of RSA) is the “go-to” guy for school systems when talking about bonding potential for schools.
Right now, the new nickel would produce $405,824 annually. Over the next several years, this would generate $5,680,000. This is the amount that the local tax payers are contributing.
Under the new budget, the state has changed the way that matching funds are calculated. According to Mr. Joe Nance of Ross, Sinclaire, and Associates, the annual match would be $521,148. This would be a state contribution of $7,295,000 total.
According to Mr. Nance, the yearly amount produced is multiplied by a factor of 14 to get an estimate of what the nickel tax and match would generate. So, it would not be possible to cut the tax immediately after construction.
This money would be used to pay the annual payments on the school (and other projects). And being open and honest, we will have other schools that will either need replaced or major renovations when Louisa West is paid for (20 years down the road). As superintendent, I want to make sure that, after I am long gone, the facilities and students are taken care of for years to come. With that being said, the local board could remove the nickel at that time (20 years from now) or use it to pay for “the next major project.”
No. All our utilities already have a fee tacked on for the schools. When will there ever be enough money? All they know how to do is tax the people.
No! Lower a few salaries, quit letting buses be driven for cars, no personnel credit cards, everyone buy their own gas and vehicle, no more cell phones paid by school funds, no trips and parties on school funds. There’s a start. We are being taxed to death. Yes we need a new school. Also need repairs on the ones we have. Working people are taxed to death. Those who don’t work will probably vote for this. Why should they care?
Hell NO! The nickel tax can go up to a dime if they want to raise it for various reasons. Why even call it a “nickel” tax when it can literally go up? Who let the schools get in the shape they’re in? We pay our taxes so the schools can be maintained, where in the hell did all the money go? It will not pass for good reasons. Completely ridiculous to even ask people for more money when the board of education has mismanaged what money they’ve had. Why should I give you more money when you all can’t manage it?
There isn’t anyone in this county that wants to see our students in buildings with mold where they spend many hours of the day. But, this situation could have been remedied a long time ago. There is a mismanagement of priorities and monies at the Lawrence County Board of Education. The board members will go along with anything presented before them for whatever reason.
Here’s a thought: Suppose the nickel tax passes. What is to stop the board of ed from also continually raising the annual tax rate that is in place now??
On the other hand: Suppose it doesn’t pass. It would be safe to say that the board will also greatly increase the tax rate every year also to generate more revenue to make the repairs to the facilities. Either way, taxpayers with property will not win!!!! Also, it doesn’t matter if you work or not, what matters is if one owns property. That is what the nickel tax will be placed on.
1. You don’t award things to the low bidder( Grass Mowing).
2. You have a board member that went under with his businesses .
3. As stated above this tax can increase.
4. It will never cease.
5. This Supt. and board play
favorites.
6. This board is not transparent in all dealings.
7. Everyone in this county pays school tax on their property tax, vehicles, electric bill , phone bill, water bill, insurance and the list goes on. Where is this money going?
8. People in this county are fed up with this school system misusing funds.
9. Need I say more
Well Fletcher is all in with the Hundred and Eight Thousand Dollars he gets of taxpayers money, so he can come here and tax us. And its the school boards fault for hiring him and agreeing with him.
What about the 4 percent raise in taxes they put on us every year anyway and then when you ask the boe about it they say they didn’t ask for it that the state made them take it! Hahaha I don’t think so! When is fletcher going to move to Lawrence county? They give him 20,000 to move! I would feel ashamed to ask people to pay a tax that isn’t going to effect him! I would also feel ashamed that there was nobody in Lawrence county with a good enough education to do that job so they say they had to hire mr. Fletcher! I tell you what, when our schools puts out somebody that can do that job I will vote for a nickel tax but why build a new school when we can’t even produce someone that can do that job we have to hire someone who don’t live here! I don’t believe we are using our schools right anyway! We made it for years without the new middle school so we should have the room in the old middle school! We are tax to death! We have people up there right now doing two or three jobs and raking in big! Prove you can produce someone that is educated enough to go to college and do that job and I will vote for it!
Already the stakes have changed. Originally this was to replace Louisa West Elementary school, now we are talking 20 years + generating more than the $5M advertised as needed. Now we are talking about several projects. They ALL need to be listed. I don’t think that anybody rejects the Louisa West Elementary school is in need of major repair or reconstruction, however the repair costs are based on HIGH estimates to get the voter to vote for the tax. There is no way that we need to pay $14M to build a school for K4-1 grades. This is ridiculous. It can be done much cheaper, repairs can be done and upgrades for far less. Look at other schools, even to other states where old buildings are buildings are being upgraded (e.g. technology, heating/cooling, windows, doors, etc.) to save taxpayers dollars. This isn’t about the legacy of Mr. Fletcher (who is a good superintendent where education is concerned). Vote NO. Require the school board to tell us exactly what we are paying for. My taxes went up over $100 this year, how much will that add next year – a great big JOKE and an even bigger NOPE!
These comments are unreal…Lower salaries for who? Teachers? you cant seriously think they are overpaid!!! Administration… they dont get paid enough to deal with idiots like you all. Who let the schools get in the shape they are? I dont know…maybe time, give or take 25 years. I wont even have kids there then to enjoy modern facilities but I am willing to pay a couple extra hundred or how ever much it is to see our young people have the best available. What happened to people wanting to see the next generation have better than we had. Give up a pack of smokes or a case of beer per week and you wont even notice……
Will you build it (all lower grades) close to our other schools? Will you sell the old schools and lots to put that money towards a new building? I might consider the nickel tax increase.
You all are right! Nobody’s kid is worth a whole nickel!
Not the point chief. That “nickel” can go up or down, it shouldn’t even be called a nickel tax. How much money does the school receive in taxes every year from taxpayers? How much of it is spent per year compared to how much is taken in? Why and how has the schools got in such bad shape? This needs to be explained before you ask for more money. Audits need to be done at every level to see where money has been spent and taken in. Has the tax been voted in or out in other counties? Do not call this tax a nickel tax, because that’s a complete lie.
It seriously lowers my IQ every time I read the comments of all you financial wizards on here! You should all run for BOE or some other public office. With all of your collective financial savvy, our kids would be attending school in new facilities every year while we all cruise around living the high life.
Kind of funny, my IQ gets lower every time people in charge mismanage money and then ask for more money to mismanage, lol. Too bad the BOE doesn’t have ANY financial savvy at all. How and why did the schools get in this condition in the first place? How did the other counties vote on this matter. How much does the BOE take in every year compared to how much is spent and exactly how and where the taxpayers money went? Please let us know, since you’re the expert, you need to explain and try to change our minds with your savviest financial ideas. Other counties voted this tax down, but I guess we’re all just complete idiots that should just pay more taxes even though it’s obviously been mismanaged for decades. Try to change our minds with some actual truth on mismanagement at the BOE.
“… I guess we’re all just complete idiots ….”
Chris, you just solved it all! Thanks. I’m done here.
We have yet another superintendent that I’m sure promised to move to Lawrence Co. if hired. And once again that was a lie. I say NO on this Tax and we should vote these board members out. Did you notice the part-time bus driver once elected as a magistrate, became the ‘head of transportation’ for the school? The test scores continue to go down but they need more money.. We need to finally say NO to the wasted spending..
Years back we built a new middle school and added on and renovated the old Louisa High School which is now Louisa East without the nickel tax. Where did this money come from? I for one can tell you. It was accomplished with planning and proper management with the funds you had.
It’s ridiculous…all the money spent on a new courthouse that wasnt needed could have went to a school combining the grade schools, why they have two schools requiring the county to hire double the staff and provide double amenities is beyond irresponsible. They need to pick a spot, clean and upgrade it and then sale off the other property to offset some of the cost. There is no real oversight or responsibilty here, there are no consequences for all the reckless spending. No accountability.
Coach Ed Dixon is the smartest person in the school system. He’s done so much for kids in the school system for years now and is on the right track to be the superintendent one day. I’ll save my nickles for when he’s in there. Besides that thought why would anyone do what Fletcher says. He doesn’t even live in Lawrence county and wouldn’t even have to pay the tax himself. He also was awarded a Mercedes if my memory stands correct for taking the job. And he gets paid way to much. Plus I guarantee we, the small contractors, of Louisa could do it for half that price. I mean jeez, what are paying 30,000 dollars for a toilet seat and 20,000 dollars for a hammer.. I mean, come on..
I may have agreed to vote for the nickel tax if they had planned to combine the two elementary schools to relieve the traffic issues at Louisa East, but now all they can say is they will ‘do something’ and that it is up to the state. Not good enough for me!!!! We don’t have to pay property taxes (homestead act) so we won’t vote to raise anyone elses. I agree that somewhere the money already collected by current taxes are not being spent correctly. One teacher here makes more than my husband and I combined! We seem to manage so why can’t they?
“Bobby” – I seriously hope they never hire you as a contractor to build anything. The ignorance in your post frightens me. And I think you’re thinking about the government with your $20,000 hammer, not the Lawrence County School system.
“Linda Messmer” – Do you and your husband work for tips or something? Because I know first-hand that teachers do not make near the amount they should be making.
“Angry” – If you would open your eyes, you would see the name on the new courthouse says “Federal”. That means Lawrence County doesn’t have a dime in it!
Honestly, you people all worry me…
Lordy, lordy? The county sheriff department won’t come out for patrolling, or filing reports unless there is a body lying on the premises! Don’t give the tax collectors any more money!
Why not get a new superintendent with lower pay and cut all the unnessecary spending by the board and they would have tax money that they get all year long else where
It is a shame that this is a reflection of the majority of the people who voted in this county. Uninformed and don’t care to be informed. Combining grade schools would make over 1,000 kids at one school. That is crazy. And what does it matter where our superintendent lives? He does a great job and he pays a nickel tax in Martin County. Actually, a double nickel tax. It isn’t that easy to sell a house in a county with no jobs. They have had their house up for sale. This county missed a big opportunity here. And to whoever was complaining about what teachers make or what the super makes? You have no idea what you are talking about. When our salaries were posted in the paper, that was without deductions: health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, etc. I wish they would post what we take home every 2 weeks. Then you would see our salaries haven’t kept up with inflation. We haven’t had a raise in over 10 years. It is a shame that parents don’t support the school system instead of criticizing.