Phenix City And Russell County Superintendents Ask For Special Election

Both district superintendents say the renewal is critical because of funds already lost this year.

This year, the Phenix City and Russell County school districts were hit with an 11% proration.
Phenix City lost 3.5 million dollars as a result. Russell County lost 2.5 million dollars. Both systems are guaranteed 10 out of the 13 Mills.

But if not renewed Phenix City will lose another 3.2 million dollars, and Russell County will lose another 2.7 million.

The special county-wide school tax was last voted on in March of 1982. It must be renewed every 30 years and it happens to expire in October of next year. Both superintendents say if citizens do not vote to renew the tax, it could be detrimental to their schools.

“This is a renewal, not a new tax,“ say both Dr. Larry DiChara and Dr. Yvette Richardson.

These Superintendent’s want to make it clear to taxpayers that the ad valorem or property tax is not new. They are just hoping taxpayers will vote to renew what’s already in place.

“We rely so heavily on that amount of money to run our schools,“ says Dr. DiChara.

Some folks around the city understand the importance of the tax.

“Money needs to go into the schools for our children,“ says Phenix City resident Dawn Bodie. “I mean, that’s our future right? So, we don’t want them all run down, I think it’s important.“

Tax payer David Pilgrem disagrees.

“I don’t think it needs to be renewed because they take our tax money and throw it away as it is!“

Dr. DiChara says the money they receive is not for recreational use.
“This is not just money that allows us to get extras, this is what we use to pay our bills.“

The self-described “opposed tax payer” believes if the tax is not renewed, it will not be a problem.
“They will find a way to either above the board or below the board, they’ll find a way to get the money,“ says Pilgrem.

DiChara’s says “We only have ourselves to blame if services diminish, if classroom sizes go up, if businesses don’t run, they’re overcrowded and things like that. So it’s important that citizens understand the ramifications if this thing is not renewed.“

Both school boards are asking that the special election be held the first or second week of February of next year.

Russell County Commissioners are now deciding how they will fund the election.