Montgomery, ALA. (October 29, 2020) – All of us who call Montgomery County home have a critical issue on the ballot Nov. 3. Montgomery County voters will be asked to support a property tax increase to fund our public schools. This increase is long overdue. To say that we have neglected the public school system in Montgomery County is a gross understatement. We can no longer allow that to happen. I will give a brief summary of what is coming and soon.
Montgomery County’s ad-valorem tax rate is currently 10 mills – the federal minimum. The increase would raise the tax rate by 12 mills. Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) estimates this would generate about $33 million for the school system, and the average family would pay only about $12.75 more per month in property taxes.
- Students in neighboring Pike Road and Auburn receive more than twice what we provide in Montgomery. Our schools are in the bottom quartile in the state, while neighboring schools excel.
- Our failure to fund public education has dire repercussions for our children and our community, both socially and economically. In fact, our failure to have a first-class public school system in the Capital City reflects poorly on the entire state.
- Funds are desperately needed by Montgomery Public Schools for resources for teachers and aides; to address deferred maintenance projects across all 51 schools in the system; and to facilitate programs that will increase student achievement.
Past failures by administrations long gone should not deter us from supporting Montgomery’s future. “Kicking the can” is no longer an option; we are losing potential leaders and jeopardize economic development by doing the bare minimum. The economic and social future of Montgomery County and the Capital City depends on the outcome of this vote.
Simply put – we have neglected the public schools in the county that is home to the Capital City of Alabama and that is an undisputed fact. The time has come to support our children and get behind the public schools. Passing the tax increase is an absolute necessity. I am asking my friends, family, co-workers, everyone in Montgomery County to do the right thing for our futures, support the tax increase, and vote for it.
The Capital City should be a beacon of light for all to see and the time has come to make that light reflect a first-class public school system. We cannot afford to lose the vote on Nov. 3. The economic and social future of Montgomery County, including the Capital City, depends on this vote.
