Our View
Millage raise proposals stir debate among taxpayers
There is definitely a lot to be said about quality education and what most of us think it is worth paying for to insure that our children and future generation are prepared to take on the responsibilities of being successful adults.
Just ask Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless who brought up the fact on social media that West Memphis and Marion are considering a millage increase and showed in a chart as to what we pay in millage compared to other school districts throughout the state.
Wheeless made a point of saying with school choice, parents are going to take their children to a school that offers what their children are wanting. And he said every time a child leaves West Memphis, Marion or Earle schools, that school loses around $7,000.
“If the schools are declining in enrollment, it’s not hard to figure out what is happening to their bottom line. All of us have to decide what we want our schools to be in the future and then we will know if we will support our schools or not with a millage.,” Wheeless said.
It is a known fact, Wheeless said, that without quality schools, quality healthcare (hospital), police and fire protection, a county will eventually die.
“This information isn’t intended to sway you either way.
It’s intended to help you make an informed decision about the future of the schools in our county,” Wheeless said.
Well over 160 Facebook followers responded to Wheeless’ post such as Mary Lynn Doyle-Webber who said, “I’m against it 100 percent. Sorry we are raped by taxes.
Brenda Person said, “the City of West Memphis has received millions from Southland Park. I can’t see where that money has gone. The city and county shouldn’t be hurting for money.
Joshua Lynch said, “Have you not seen the crime rate in West Memphis/Marion lately, ppl are leaving this dump hole.”
On a positive note, Michael Allen said, “Education costs go up just like everything else does. We need to invest in our children. I hate paying a tax like any other person, but I can give up a cup of coffee and a soda a day to go to the future. If I smoked, I would give up the cigarettes for the kids. It’s not the schools that are going to gain in the long run but the students and community will.
Faye Wiginton responded by saying, “Single person home owners are getting hit really hard on all these taxes.
They need to level out or I will have to sell just to pay someone else rent?” The top six school districts listed in Wheeless’ chart (Bentonville, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville and Siloam Springs), have rates of 45 to 48.5 while Marion’s rate is now 40.70 with a requested millage increase of five mil. West Memphis current millage rate is 29 and voters will be asked for a 10 mil increase.
It is clear from many of the responses to Wheeless’ Facebook post that there is a lack of knowledge as to where the money comes from to support our school districts besides property taxes.
Also, it is important to point out that quality education plays a major factor in any successful economic development plan and in order to attract the young professionals to our cities and county it is essential that we provide the best quality education as possible. Otherwise, as Wheeless pointed out, schools in West Memphis and Marion will fall victim to financial disaster.
There is clearly no doubt that no one likes taxes, but the reality is, we have an obligation and responsibility when it comes to our education system.
