Two Speak at School Budget Hearing

The Jasper County Board of Education held its first of three public hearings on the 2024 budget last Thursday, July 6.

In attendance were Vice-Chair Erin Lynch, and board members Towonder Dennis, Michelle Coward, and Justin Wilson. Board Chair Bill Schilling was dialed in on the telephone.

Supt. Kenny Garland made a presentation discussing the financial impact of the projected budget. It was noted that the budget projection would call for a partial rollback with a millage rate of 14.01. Mr. Garland explained that if the board were to take a full rollback, it’d drop the millage rate below the 14 mark. Doing so would cost the board $360,384 in revenue.

It would additionally cause the board to lose equalization funding. This funding is used for school systems that don’t receive the same funding as larger school districts. Mr. Garland stated that Jasper has received this funding for upwards of 20 years.

The amount the board is projecting to receive in equalization funding is $1.7 million. Despite this, Mr. Garland re-emphasized that any decision on this would be tough, but that doing a partial rollback would ultimately help accommodate the rapid growth that is going through our system. The school system is still projecting around 2,800 students district wide next school year.

The board heard from two public commenters at this meeting. The first being Gene Williamson via mail. Mr. Williamson wrote his concerns on senior citizens having to pay school taxes. He added that he and other senior citizens alike should not be held responsible for paying the rising taxes.

John Henderson spoke in person, seconding that point. Mr. Henderson stated that while he doesn’t mind paying school taxes personally, there should be a way to partially or fully exempt senior citizens from having to pay school taxes.

Following the two comments, the meeting was adjourned in what was a brief session. The board will meet again for the next two public hearings on Tuesday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. The 6 p.m. hearing will be at the beginning of the regular meeting.

The county commission is meeting at 7 p.m. that day, planning to adopt the school’s millage rate and send it on to the tax commission so tax bills can be printed.