Parker, James Clemens’ Woods promote tax renewal
MADISON – Superintendents in Madison County and a star student from each district spoke at a press conference to promote renewal of property taxes to fund education in the Dec. 12 special election.
The Schools Foundation organized the press conference on Dec. 5 at Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Madison City Schools Superintendent Robby Parker joined Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Matt Akin and Madison County Superintendent Matt Massey to explain the critical funding for these taxes in the three systems.
An honor student from each school district accompanied their superintendent to discuss the tax issue. Merit scholar student Abby Woods from James Clemens High School participated in the news conference.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s future, and it’s very important that we continue to support our schools, Schools Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Dotts Fleming said.
The renewals mean $6.5 million for Madison City Schools, $37.6 million for Huntsville schools and $14.3 million for Madison County schools. The group stressed the importance of going to the polls Dec. 12 to renew the school funding measures that are set to expire.
Speakers emphasized that voting ‘FOR’ merely continues the local property taxes for schools currently being paid, MCS Public Relations Manager John S. Peck said.
These taxes are now new. “We’re here today to ask citizens to vote for the continuation of these school funding measures. Citizens before us voted to invest in our kids. It is our responsibility to ensure that this next generation has the same benefits,” Parker said.
Abby Woods is enrolled in James Clemens’ Biomedical Academy. Woods said the local funds have helped pay for programs and expensive lab equipment that have greatly benefitted her learning experience. Woods is a National Merit Semifinalist and has attended Madison City Schools since kindergarten.
The state of Alabama does not provide this money for local funding. The money helps support local teaching units and programs such as pre-kindergarten, theater, Greenpower, robotics, Project Lead the Way medical courses and various career academies across the school systems.
For Madison City Schools, the three property taxes up for renewal collectively cost homeowners just $95 annually per $100,000 value of home. For a $250,000 house in Madison, that’s the equivalent of less than $20 per month, Peck said.
