TO THE EDITOR:

We are living in very difficult times and many people are wondering why taxes are being raised. The millage rate is anticipated to be 16.75, the same as last year. Because the property digest in Wilkes County reflects increased assessments resulting from increases in property values throughout the county, the proposed millage rate is considered by state law to be a tax increase of approximately 6.88%. Although a rise in taxes is never a welcome event, there are times when it is unavoidable. For Wilkes County schools, this is one of those times.

After budgets were set and school had begun in August, 2008, we were notified by the State Department of Education that we could expect at least a 2% cut for the current year. Superintendent Joyce Williams immediately initiated a spending freeze. This freeze still continues. In February we received two more notifications - for the current budget year - that additional cuts and a reinstatement of austerity would bring our total cuts for the current year to an excess of $408,000. By late February, projections came for the 2009-2010 year. An additional cut of at least $517,000 would be taken. Additionally, there would be an increase in benefits that must be paid by the local board. We are now facing a loss of over $1 million dollars. Even so, we must still find a way to provide the full educational services required by law and balance our budget. All school systems are required by law to fund and provide services to children - regardless of size and regardless of the number of children requiring the service. For small systems, this is always difficult. During times of economic stress, this is nearly impossible.

When the state makes cuts to balance their budget, they require that local systems must recoup the lost revenue through cuts (without cutting necessary services) and through a rise in property taxes. We have operated Wilkes County Schools for many years in a lean and responsible fashion. Most of our school employees fulfill multiple responsibilities that are conducted by numerous personnel in other systems. Many things are done by personnel on a volunteer basis - because it needs to get done and they do it. We have exceptional people working in our system. This year and for next, we have made budget cuts across the board. We have reduced staff and cut teacher and staff salaries across the board. We have devoured our small fund balance.

Every time the Board of Education sets the millage rate, there is much to be considered. We must provide the needed services and we must balance our budget. We are penalized by the state if our rate is either too low or too high. We are penalized if we show fluctuation. We try to keep the rate at a reasonable, steady level. We must always be aware of the burden this places on all property owners in Wilkes County.

President Obama signed a stimulus plan to send money to local schools. The money received by Governor Purdue for 2009 will not be passed to local systems, but instead will be used to "shore up" the budget at the state level. This is, he says, to avoid his having to make

further cuts to the local systems. Please contact your Congressmen to voice your concerns about the burdens this places on the local schools and its citizens!

It is also important to remember that property taxes are not the source for school construction funds. During construction, the sign in front of the new school read "Your SPLOST Dollars at Work". Approximately two-thirds of the cost to build the new school is coming from sales tax generated by a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The remaining money needed for construction was generated from Facility Funds contributed by the Georgia Department of Education. The school system's portion of property taxes go to pay the annual operating budget for the school system which is mostly salaries to local teachers and other employees.

We must also remember our children and our responsibility to them. In Wilkes County we operate extremely lean - but get excellent results. Our gradation rate is higher than the state average and is higher than all surrounding counties. Our students are succeeding in ways others can only imagine. We do get value for our money. We have a great system. We will make it through these tough times and be better for it. We appreciate your understanding and support.

DR. ROSEMARY CADDELL

Curriculum Director