Baldwin Co. Board Of Education Will Request Sales Tax Increase

Alabama Economy School officials in Baldwin County say athletics band other extra-curricular activities could be cut if financial relief doesn't come.

by Pat Peterson

Published: Wed, July 22, 2009 - 4:34 pm CST

Thursday 9:07 a.m.
The Baldwin County Board Of Education approved a resolution Thursday morning to ask County Commissioners for a 1-cent sales tax increase.

Wednesday 5:34 p.m.
High school football fields, basketball courts and band-rooms across Baldwin County could be quiet this school year. The recession could force the board of education to take drastic measures to save money. Teacher layoffs, a hiring freeze, larger class sizes and the elimination of support staff are already an unpleasant reality. Now, extra-curricular activities could be on the economic chopping block.

"We're in one mess financially and we need help," says Baldwin County Board of Education spokesman Terry Wilhite. "We're talking about the school day as we know it drastically changing. No field trips, the possible elimination of athletic events, no band, no art."

The school district is facing a 38 million dollar budget shortfall and is preparing for an additional 13 million dollar deficit because of a decline in local revenue. To help offset the economic crisis, the school board will ask the county commission to approve a one-cent sales tax increase.

"We'll listen to the school board and we'll find it difficult to put on new taxes because we're already getting a lot of calls from people saying they don't want to support this," says David Bishop with the Baldwin County Commission. "I've had people tell me that if any commissioner voted for a tax increase they would not only not vote for them again, they'd tell their family and friends not to."

The one-cent sales tax increase would generate 29 million dollars for the school system.

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suzanne45 Says:

Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 6:38 am

Parents do chip in. Parents pay something no matter what sport their child is in. We just may have to pay more this time around. It’s not completely free.

cmb1 Says:

Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 9:40 am

When i was in school our parents paid for extra activities (my dad bought my cheerleading outfit) so why can’t parents chip in. I say no more taxes for any county. I agree start at the top not the bottom!!!

camaysha Says:

Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 6:08 pm

......says the one who got beat up and stuffed in the trash can everyday….

dougstech Says:

Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 5:52 pm

“High school football fields, basketball courts and band-rooms across Baldwin County could be quiet this school year.”

Thats fine with me. Football, basketball, and band are all wastes of money. Maybe with these foolish classes gone, more focus can be spent on education.

Razorsharp Says:

Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 5:10 pm

This is begining to sound like a broken record. Everywhere you look, all you hear or see is some organization or public entity with their hand out. How in the world does the school district come up $51 MILLION dollars short? Why does this seem to happen every year right before school starts back? What are the salaries of all of these board members, executives, administratives etc.? At the rate they are going, there will be no one left to teach classes and thus no schools. A new 1 cent tax? HA! I think not! Besides, $29 million is far short of what they “claim” is needed anyway. Make use of what you have. Cut out some of these ridiculous salaries and perks. So many entities are wasting money at an alarming rate. What will they do when the people say “NO”. No more made up taxes…no more wasting our money. Take a pay cut- ALL OF YOU- or take a hike. Utilize the money that you have more efficiently, or find another occupation. I guarentee you that there are people out there who will be willing to do a much better job, more efficiently, and at a reasonable salary. The waste has to stop. If the school system needs an overhaul, so be it. Clean house. The teachers are the only ones who seem to deserve a raise. The school system had better pull themselves together, or you will see a mass exodus of teachers…and I don’t blame them.