By Tatum Northington
Elmore/Autauga News
When one hears the word tax or millage, most immediately think in negative terms, however millage directly impacts the school system and helps countless children. “Our Kids Count” is a referendum to raise the local millage rate in the Prattville and immediate surrounding areas, to help all Autauga County Board of Education Schools.
Speaking with “Our Kids Count” Campaign Manager Rob Green he said “The funds collected from raising the millage will go towards a capital improvement fund for local schools in the Central and Daniel Pratt school zones. The public schools in Prattville and the immediate surrounding areas are in need of improvements.”
The millage rate is the number of tax dollars assessed for every $1,000 of property value. The current rate in Autauga County Schools is 10 mills, which means that $1 in tax is levied on every $1,000 of assessed property value. The Referendum is asking local voters to raise the mill level by 15, to 25, which would raise property taxes to $2.50 per every $1,000 of assessed property value. The current 10 mills rate is the minimum required by the State of Alabama General Education Fund that the school system has to levy in order to receive any funds for education from the State. The school system does not receive any extra funds from the 10 mills, no matter the continued growth of housing in Autauga County, since this is the minimum required by law to earn. Until tax rates rise above 11 mills, the school systems in the state cannot help their schools adequately, some believe.
Green explained saying “For public schools in Prattville and the immediate surrounding areas, the per-pupil expenditure is one of the lowest in the state. Out of 138 school systems, local public schools around Prattville rank 133.”
The local average is approximately $1,470 lower per student than the Alabama average – the per-pupil expense is $8,750 while the Alabama average is $10,124 per-pupil. Green said “With the proposed 15 mill increase, property owners can expect to pay an additional $150 per year, which equates to $12.50 per month, on a current $100,000 tax assessment.”
Some say the teachers in the Autauga County School System have done a magnificent job being inadequately funded for decades, but it shouldn’t fall on them to continue funding classrooms and facilities themselves or to learn to do without. The community can show their support by voting yes on the upcoming referendum.
The “Our Kids Count” Political Action Committee (PAC) hosted a Q&A on Thursday, September 15, 2022, with Board of Education nominees Kim Crockett, District 2 and Billy Hollon, District 4. There will be more forums planned and EAN will keep our readers apprised of event dates.
Our Question and Answer Session received the following with Green responding to questions:
- Why is it important for the Prattville community?
Quality public schools and modern facilities are key drivers of economic development and community growth. As evident in many other areas across Alabama, modern public school facilities attract more teachers and enhance the economic prosperity of the surrounding communities.
In order for Prattville to maintain our regional advantage and provide jobs for our children and grandchildren, quality public schools must be a top priority.
Lastly, there is more at stake than solely education factors. In the upcoming BRAC, we don’t need Maxwell to disappear because public education in the surrounding areas is so poor. Additionally, in areas across Alabama where public schools are strong, home values always increase–take Auburn, Opelika, Spanish Fort/Daphne, and especially Mountain Brook and Vestavia.
- How will it help all of Autauga schools if only Prattville gets to vote?
Despite the funds collected from the millage increase will only directly benefit public schools in the Central and Daniel Pratt school zones, the entire county stands to benefit.
First, maintenance backlogs that make bad situations worse will be alleviated due to fewer requests coming from the dated schools in Prattville and the surrounding areas.
Second, if Prattville maintains its “preferred community” status–then the surrounding areas in the county stand to benefit as well thanks to economic growth and expansion.
Lastly, this is not a vehicle for a city school system in Prattville. However, if this does not pass, there is good reason to believe that Prattville may take the steps necessary to create a city school system.
The “Our Kids Count” Referendum will help all students in the Autauga County School System by allowing the increased millage to help Prattville Schools, opening up the opportunity for Autauga County Board of Education (ACBOE) General Fund and Alabama Trust Fund (ATF) funds to go to the surrounding schools, instead of those funds being split amongst all schools. There are technically 14 schools in the Autauga County School System; seven schools in Prattville, three schools in Marbury, one school each in Autaugaville and Billingsley, the Autauga Co. Technology Center, and Second Chance Alternative School.
This is a win-win for the entire district some believe. They say students deserve the best facilities, technology, labs, and teachers. Your vote ensures that our kids count now and in perpetuity. Chair of the “Our Kids Count” PAC, Danny Durbin, said “The referendum is extremely important to me and my family for the long-term funding and success of our schools. This is important to our community for economic growth. We need this to recruit and attract the best people and businesses to our community. By passing this key measure, it will allow us to elevate our position in comparison to the surrounding community for years to come and maintain our regional advantage.” To learn more, please visit OurKidsCount.net and to keep up with local events, “Like” their Facebook page here.
