From Rebecca Thomas
Autauga County Board of Education
The Autauga County Board of Education’s proposed ad valorem school tax referendum, designed to stabilize the system’s financial foundation, was voted down in a 62-38 percent defeat during last night’s general election. Of the 26,623 voters, nearly two-thirds chose to deny the school district’s request for additional funding.
“Obviously, we are disappointed,” expressed Superintendent Woodfin. “We set out to get a mandate from the people, one way or another, and based on the results, our citizens have spoken. Property taxes are not on the table, so it’s back to square one to give our students and teachers what they need.”
Autauga County residents were given the opportunity to voice their opinion through the system’s referendum attempt to provide a possible $7 million in additional funding annually to hire local teaching units, support staff, and security personnel, incentivize those going above and beyond, and renovate aging facilities. This failed referendum is another in a long line of attempts, as the last approved property tax increase was more than 100 years ago when the newly formed educational system was just getting off the ground.
“I want to reassure our students and our teachers,” commented Woodfin, superintendent of Autauga County Schools. “I know it feels like a gut punch, but we are going to figure it out. I will not rest; I will not stop looking. We are going to figure out what we have to do to give our students and teachers what they need.”
Autauga County Schools will move forward in an attempt to solve its funding crisis without the additional property taxes. Superintendent Woodfin and the Autauga County Board of Education are resolute in their responsibility to maintain a vibrant educational system, the backbone of any thriving community. “Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as the task ahead will be difficult but absolutely necessary,” commented Kyle Glover, ACBOE Board Member for District 5. “Thank you for your support. The system works. The people have spoken. Let’s go to work.”
The focus now shifts to balancing the budget by reducing financial support of various programs and cutting major expenses through possible school closures and employee layoffs. The Autauga County Board of Education meets later this week to discuss the path forward.
“I want to thank everyone for their involvement and passion for our community and its students,” said Billy Hollon, chairman of the Autauga County Board of Education. “Throughout this process, there have been meaningful conversations regarding our strengths and weaknesses as a school system and stakeholders’ vision for Autauga County Schools. We will use these conversations to develop a plan “
