by Kathy Foster
Washington County School Board members met earlier this week in a workshop session to determine their stragegy to get voters up to date on the need for the proposed sales tax.
School Board members said the bottom line is that the half-cent sales tax is a ” win-win for the students, the school system, and the community at large”.
Board member Terry Ellis said it comes down to the fact that the school system needs the funding to keep on top of technology.
“We need to give our students every opportunity. We don’t want our students to fall behind,” said Ellis.
School Board member Susan Roberts has also spoken out in support of the one-half cent sales tax pointing out, “A half-cent sales tax will generate approximately $920,000 a year for our schools which can only be used for technoloy and upgrading/improving our existing facilities”.
While acknowledging that “no one likes taxes”, Washington County School Superintendent Joe Taylor asks the voters to look at the issue as an investment in the future.
He also pointed out that the State recently conducted an audit in preparation for putting the one-half cent sales tax issue before county voters and the finding gave the county high marks for handling funds.
During the workshop school board members pointed out the following points concerning the proposed one-half cent sales tax:
- It would be assessed on all taxable purchases made in the county.
- Out-of-town shoppers would contribute to the educational needs of Washington County students.
- The funds would be used in part for hardware and software for the 3,520 computers in use in the Washington County school system; remodeling and renovation of school facilities; as well as updated technology for courses/programs that offer Job Training Certification
Taylor reminded board members that the one-half center sales tax is only proposed for the next 10 years starting in 2019.