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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Good schools start with good communities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Supreme Court’s decision that Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) may not use school funds for redevelopment and revitalization.
That ridiculous decision led state legislators to two unnecessary pieces of legislation allowing TADs’ use of school funds, including Senate Resolution 996, which authorizes the use of school funds for community redevelopment and revitalization at the state level; and House Bill 1208, which is specific to Gwinnett County TADs.
The Gwinnett bill could be dead if voters don’t approve the statewide bill in November. Gwinnett voters will have to pass both bills.
First, let’s clear up one misconception about TADs’ use of such funds using the OFS site at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and I-85 as an example.
Only the property tax dollars that would normally be paid from the OFS site would be used for redevelopment and revitalization.
Not the property tax dollars from your home.
Not the property tax dollars from the shopping mall down at the corner.
ONLY the tax dollars from the site of the TAD district are funneled back into that site for redevelopment and are only good for a maximum of six years.
Is that clear? Feel better now? Good. I was kinda hoping so. There you go, take a deep breath. Relax. It will all be OK.
Now I am going to give you and the rest of Jawjuh an argument for why you should vote to approve the Senate Resolution and House bills.
A good friend of mine pointed out a Gwinnett county schools sign that reads: “Good Schools Build Better Communities.”
Incorrect. Yes, good schools draw good people who care about where they live, but point out one community in despair with good schools.
School performance is a direct reflection of the communities they serve. Schools will not improve unless an area improves FIRST.
If the community they serve does not get better can we really expect the schools to?
Both the senate resolution and the house bill up for our vote this November were unnecessary because using school funds for TAD use DOES help schools.
It would seem the better short term initial investment - for the schools - would be to boost the surrounding community first.
Revitalize a blighted community and schools will immediately show signs of improvement. It’s a win- win situation for all invested.
Which side are you on?
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