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Thursday, April 27, 2006
Atlanta Wants More of Your Money
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta school officials want to raise taxes.Here’s an excerpt of the story:
“The city school system followed the Fulton County school district in breaking the news to taxpayers that they need more money to run schools next year. But unlike Fulton, which expects 6,000 more students next year, Atlanta’s enrollment is declining. This year, Atlanta has just under 50,000 students, down from 57,000 in 2001. The city system also benefits from a wealthy tax base and rising property values. Atlanta spends far more per student - $11,215 a year - than neighboring districts. (Cobb, for example, spends about $7,200, according to the state.
Atlanta is facing a $37.3 million shortfall, officials said. Teacher raises, state cuts and ongoing shortfalls in a pension fund are the big problems, they say.
It looks like they’re going to seek from the board a millage of 22.72, up 2.3 mills from last year. Based on my Charlie Brown calculations, which don’t take into account homestead and other exemptions, that would mean about $180 more a year on a $200,000 house (fair market value.)
Does it seem crazy for a school system with declining enrollment and rising property values to need a tax increase? Or are you sympathetic to the myriad of issues districts including Atlanta are facing this year: rising utilities, gas prices etc.?
