Central School Board Could Raise Property Taxes $750,000 on May 10

 Property owners in Central could see their property tax bills go up if the Central Community School Board rolls forward property taxes here at its meeting on May 10 as proposed by board member Dr. Keith Holmes. The result would be a $750,000 increase in property taxes without a vote of the people.

The Central Community School Board has been the only school board in the state that does not roll forward millage rates.  This has been thanks largely to the tight-fisted leadership of board member Will Easley, who served on the board from 2007 until January 2021. Easley took the position that any increase in property taxes should be approved by a vote of the people.

However, now that Easley is no longer on the board, members have turned to the tax increase as a new source of revenue. 

Supt. Jason Fountain said these matters are up to the board but said he has not requested the increase.

Board members have not staked out their positions on the proposal and are still weighing it, according to board member and past board president Roxanne Atkinson.

Under state law, property taxes are reassessed by the assessor every four years. Tax millages are then rolled back, so as to create the same dollar volume as before. However, by a two-thirds’ vote, a school board can keep property tax rates the same, thereby increasing taxes.

Dr. Holmes said the tax increase is needed to provide further pay raises to Central teachers.  They received a pay raise last January. Starting teachers received a raise of $3,000 to 4,000, and no teacher received less than $1,000, according to Supt. Jason Fountain.

Dr. Holmes said he believes pay for Central teachers is falling behind that of nearby districts.

A survey of Central teachers three years ago showed a high retention rate with almost none leaving the system because of pay.

Asked why the school board should raise taxes without a vote of the people, Dr. Holmes said the state Constitution allows the board to make that decision.