Tuesday Important Day Concerning Possible Tax Hike

Mobile Schools Baldwin School officials want one penny sales tax increase.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, August 03, 2009 - 9:52 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, August 03, 2009 - 10:15 pm CST

This week could be crucial for Baldwin County School officials hoping to get a one cent sales tax increase for schools.
School board members are set to meet Tuesday and Wednesday with Baldwin County Commissioners to talk about the proposal.
School officials have already said cutbacks will be necessary.
Members of the Baldwin County High School Band Booster Club met Monday night in hopes of convincing school board members not to reduce the number of band instructors in nearby middle schools.
They said that could ultimately hurt the high school band.
Rachel Black has daughters in middle school band and high school band.
For her middle school child, Black said, "I want her to experience what my oldest one has. It (band) has broadened her horizons. She has made tremendous friends. Her grades have improved because she is part of the band program."
Black's other daughter said she thinks cutting back the number of band instructors will hurt students like her sister.
Codie Black said, "I'm afraid that they won't get the education that they need."
And other band boosters said without proper instruction in middle school, students might quit band before they get to high school.
Baldwin County High School Band Booster President Allison Spillman said, "If they keep cutting middle school (band instructors), you can eventually go to a football game and there won't be a high school band. You could go to a parade, especially the local parades in which we participate in, which is Veterans Day, Homecoming, Christmas Fest and the Mardi Gras organization here in town, and there won't be a band."
When asked whether she was in favor of the sales tax increase, Spillman said, "If it was set in stone, yes. (If) we're going to use this to help fine arts children or children in general, I don't think I would have a problem with it."

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama

Video
Photo

Embed:

WKRG.com Related

Data –› College Navigator

News –› Alabama

News –› Bay Minette

News –› Mobile

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

Download Video

carl Says:

Tue, Aug 04, 2009 at 11:06 am

I believe they should just make it a 2 cent sales tax so they won’t have to come back in the next year or two.Most will get voted out of office just as fast for a 1 cent sales tax as for a 2 cent sales tax.

dougstech Says:

Mon, Aug 03, 2009 at 11:05 pm

They did it here in mobile county back in 2000 and the schools still just waste money! Vote no on the tax increase!

Razorsharp Says:

Mon, Aug 03, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Man…these politicians really know how to push the right buttons to get what they want. You can bet that next year, they will want another tax increase and will threaten to take away sports, band, art etc. again because they know it hits a nerve with parents. What a sick game. Greedy, greedy, greedy.