CCSS Property Tax Up for Renewal

    The Central Community School Board is asking voters to renew a 10-year, 32.50-mill property tax on March 5 that is dedicated to funding the general operations of the school system and maintenance of the school district’s facilities.  
    The school funding proposition is a renewal of the current 32.5 mill tax supporting the Central Community School District.
    Central voters originally dedicated 38.45 mills in 2007 to pay for the school district’s general operations and maintenance.  Since that time, school board officials have lowered the millage rate to 32.50 mills to account for business and residential growth in the district.  The board is requesting renewal of the lowered millage rate, and not the original voter-approved rate.
    The dedicated property millage currently provides the schools system with $4.37 million each year.  Of that amount, $3.57 million is spent on general operations, teacher and staff salaries, and maintenance of the district’s campuses, while about $800,000 is used for building renovations, repairs and on-going maintenance projects.
    “The revenue from this dedicated ad valorem tax lays the foundation for learning in the Central Community.  It accounts for a large percentage of our school system’s general budget, and nearly half of all local revenues brought in for our schools,” Superintendent Michael Faulk said.  “It is important that our community maintain this financial foundation for our schools, so we can continue to improve our students’ academic performance and their career and college opportunities.”  
    Faulk noted that the state’s latest accountability report showed Central once again ranked among the state’s Top 5 school districts in academic performance. The district earned an overall 104.4 District Performance Score to receive an “A” Rating and to be listed at No. 5 among the state’s top-performing districts.  
    “Our students continue to compete at a very high level, despite transitions in the state’s tests, the increased rigor and higher expectations,” Faulk said. “Our teachers and administrators work hard each day to maintain a learning atmosphere and to develop new, stronger teaching techniques.”
    Faulk noted that the school system has always had the support and confidence of local community members, which has enabled teachers, staff, parents and students to excel at every level. 
    “We know that the progress we make today in the lives of our children and young adults will have a lasting, positive impact on our community, our state and our world in the years to come,” Faulk said.  “We are excited about how our students are stepping up to the challenge of higher expectations and taking advantage of new opportunities that await them. “
    Faulk said the district’s total general fund revenues for the 2014-2015 year were $43.462 million.  State funding, primarily through MFP allocations, accounts for 70 percent of the revenue for the current budget year.  Another 24 percent of the funding comes from local sources – sales and property taxes – while approximately 6 percent of the budget is derived from other sources, such as federal monies and grants.
    He noted that the dedicated local property taxes account for more than 10 percent of all local revenues generated each year for Central’s schools.
    “I believe our school system is producing a high return on the community’s investments.  I am confident that with our community’s continued support, we can move the bar even higher,” Faulk said.