Birmingham Board of Education Delays Property Tax Increase Referendum
UPDATE: In an unanimous vote on Tuesday night, the Birmingham Board of Education delayed the referendum.
The Birmingham Board of Education today could vote to delay a referendum on a property tax increase supporters hope will generate local revenue for the school system. The change will be considered at the board’s regular 5:30 p.m. meeting.
The board has proposed a 3-mill increase on property taxes to fund school programs.
The board vote could delay the referendum, originally set for September, until next February.
The original push for the referendum came after the board met with Chief Financial Officer Arthur Watts. He told board members in April that the school system was too dependent on the state for revenue. The delay may increase the chances of passage, as board members say they’ll have more time to communicate its benefits to the public.
Board President Randall Woodfin said, “[We need] to give residents more time to understand why this vote is important, what this vote does for the community.”
Woodfin said board members are attending PTA meetings and other community events to help inform the public.
“Successful school systems locally — they pay for what they want. That’s part of their success,” he added.
With the additional revenue, says Woodfin, all 44 Birmingham schools would be able to have two additional classrooms per school, including pre-kindergarten in each K-5 school, and funding for programs such as band and art in elementary and middle schools:
“Paying locally allows you to have the programs that you want for your students, your city and your school system.”
The Birmingham school system is under budget for this fiscal year and looks to continue that way into 2015-2016. Woodfin says 100 percent of the money, if the tax increase is approved, will go toward academics. He promised that, within the next six months, the board will have a plan to show the community where the money is going.
The 3-mill tax increase is the most a district can raise property taxes without approval from the state. Other cities around Birmingham, such as Midfield and Trussville, passed property tax increases this year.
Dozens of states sue to block the sale of 23andMe personal genetic data
States argue that biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits and medical records are too sensitive to be sold without each person's express, informed consent.
Drug deaths plummet among young Americans as fentanyl carnage eases
U.S. drug deaths dropped by roughly 40% last year among people under the age of 35. It's a welcome pivot for families and communities devastated by fentanyl.
What happened when Lyndon Johnson federalized the National Guard
President Lyndon B. Johnson federalized the National Guard in 1965, calling on troops to protect civil rights advocates who were marching from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery.
Trump mobilizes Marines for duty in Los Angeles
U.S. Northern Command says the infantry battalion would be supporting the National Guard troops "who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area."
RFK Jr. boots all members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee
Health Secretary RFK Jr. has removed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He says replacing them with new members will help restore 'public trust' in vaccines.
Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation suit against Blake Lively dismissed
Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit was in response to Lively accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us.
