Could Annexation Hurt Schools?

Annexation Thyssenkrupp What does annexation mean for Mobile County Schools?
Some school leaders are keeping their fingers crossed for a positive impact.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Fri, August 15, 2008 - 8:33 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, August 15, 2008 - 8:44 pm CST

After last school year's teacher lay offs and numerous budget cuts, the last thing the Mobile County School System needs is another setback. But after losing 2.5 million to annexation last year, Mobile County School Board member Bill Meredith worries over whether it could happen again.
"How about refunding the lost revenue that's what I'd like, that's what I would've liked last time and then we wouldn't have had such a drastic cut in teachers,"Said Meredith to News Five.
City leaders believe an annexation could benefit the school system in the long run. A strategy that city attorney Larry Wettermark says includes banking on the 33.5 million dollar Thyssenkrupp deal.
"If the annexation is successful the school system will receive 8 mils more in property tax, which is a more stable tax base, which a more stable tax base and bring a number of industrial tax payers that they do not have now,"Said Wettermark.
But in the meantime, city leaders admit they're trying to avoid the affects an annexation could bring.
"Unfortunately the annexation laws do result in a short term short fall for the school system, Mayor Jones has scheduled a meeting with Superintendent Nichols to discuss that."
A spokeswoman for the City of Mobile tells Newsfive Mayor Sam Jones and Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols will meet later this month to go over annexation plans.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama

Video
Photo

Embed:

WKRG.com Related

News –› Alabama

News –› Mobile

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

Download Video

JudyH Says:

Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 6:54 pm

QUOTE from the article: “Unfortunately the annexation laws do result in a short term short fall for the school system, Mayor Jones has scheduled a meeting with Superintendent Nichols to discuss that.”——————————————

A SHORT TERM “SHORT FALL”??? It’s FIVE YEARS people—why didn’t they tell the news media the amount of time that the school system would lose the 0.5% sales tax revenue?

With the Schillinger/Airport Blvd annexation, it is estimated that our school system lost $2.5 million dollars PER YEAR. That’s an estimated $12.5 Million over 5 years. Nichols asked the City for the tax money back—Mr. Jones said “NO” that the City had it’s own financial problems!!! Well, it’s easy to see that Jones does give a mushroom about our schools or our kids!

Oh, and do you know who it is UNFORTUNATE for? The children of all of Mobile County! They are the ultimate losers in all of this greed by the City of Mobile.

Corky N Says:

Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 11:47 am

Please my county and my grandchildrens schools alone, If you must annex go to Prichard, and allow them to vote.It seems as though they need leadership and assistance.Bring them into Mobile and raise their standard of living.