The Coweta County School Board held their third of four public meetings regarding opting out of HB 581 which limits the growth of taxable value on owner occupied residential property (homestead) to a rate set by Georgia, generally around the rate of inflation. Included in the legislation was the ability for elected bodies to “opt out” of following the results of the vote.
First to be clear, I believe there are many well-meaning people involved in this conversation, and I truly feel bad for the position school boards across Georgia have been placed in by our legislature. While we voted on HB 581 as an amendment to our state constitution, the legislation allows elected bodies such as school boards to “opt out” of this amendment to our constitution. I can’t remember another time where political leaders were given the ability to not follow the constitution whether federally or any state.
The large meeting room was full of attendees sitting, standing, and spilling out the room. It was great to see such community involvement. There were nearly thirty speakers, including me.
All but two speakers spoke for not opting out of HB581. The points against opting out focused on the fact that many taxpayers were feeling the same economic headwinds faced by the schools, some suggested that there were cost reductions at the general office that can be used to offset revenue reductions, and others stated the schools “must live within their means”.
In his presentation, Superintendent Dr. Evan Horton presented the below chart which shows that several school systems are in fact, considering “opt out.” Dr. Horton’s full presentation is nearby.
While I oppose “opt out” there are legitimate concerns for most school boards about the HB581 legislation that were not made clear to the voters.
First, while the legislation is proposed as an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution, the Georgia Department of Education has advised the school systems that this homestead exemption will be treated as “local.” This distinction will significantly affect the amount of state funds received by a school system from those earned under Georgia’s QBE formula.
I wrote about this “5 Mil fair share” last week. This is a deduction for the expected local contribution to providing public school. The State shorts funds for education, HB581 cuts funds—should our local school systems veto this popular legislation? – The Citizen
During my comments, I asked a more basic question. Once the Coweta County School Board opts out, then what happens next? How can the school board believe they can maintain the trust of the voters after vetoing a vote held during a general election?
Voters have been clear in the three public sessions. They feel the economic pressures and want tax relief. Sixty three percent or over 50,000 voted to limit property tax growth. Again, what will happen when the board votes to ignore it?
In Fayette, after the FCBOE decided to use ESPLOST III funds to build Booth Middle School after not mentioning rehabilitating “old Booth” not building a new middle school during that vote, approximately 70% of Fayette voters voted to limit the growth of taxable value using a LV7 homestead exemption. This question was placed on the ballot by a member of the Georgia legislature without coordination with the school board. Will Coweta voters get their delegation to place a similar question on the ballot getting Coweta basically to the same place?
Alternatively, it looks like there should be an ESPLOST renewal soon. Does that get defeated, resulting in operational funds used to buy technology and repair buildings? Interestingly the legislature gave municipal (cities / county) bodies the ability to raise a sales tax to help offset the effect of HB 581, but did not allow the school systems the same option.
Unfortunately for Georgia public schools that are no good options under HB 581 has been voted on and being implemented. Simply put, without not only major reform, but reimagination for Georgia State Funding of Public Education, we are only taking another turn in a doom loop that has a certain outcome.
With all this information and reservation, I oppose opting out of HB 581. We need urgency for all parties that include elected leaders at all levels. If there is failure, all must share blame instead of looking to blame others. Instead we should look to share in the satisfaction of finding a lasting solution to funding Georgia’s quality basic public education.
