Posted by former2greenville (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Better LOCAL funding allows for better LOCAL control, meaning
A) Funds go where they are needed, not on politician-driven pet projects that are wasteful at the local level
B) Our local elected and appointed officials can be held accountable for the spending, and
C) We can better take care of our own business, no matter what the backwards state government and the lunatic fed does to our school funding.

Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The commissioner's forget that not only are governments experiencing shortfalls, but individuals as well. Get by on what you have until the situation improves. Another tax on the poor and working people in the county should not be an option. Increasing taxes for education should mean 100% goes to education.

Consider consolidating into one county school system and stop wasting the money on multiple administrators and staff.

Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Patrick on one school system and getting rid of multiple admins and staff. The money is not being used like it should any way. I wish every parent, grandparent, etc. would visit each and every school in this county. The restrooms are filthy!!!!! Make everyone working at the school use the same ones the students do. Then maybe the custodians would be forced to do there jobs. Putting up a gate in the drive of Red Level school was ridculous also. You would think this was Montgomery, Birmingham or Mobile. I intend to go by the schools in these big towns and see how many have a fence to block traffic ( which seems like a fire hazard to me.) I could go on and on, but it wouldn't do any good. So I say put the one cent increase to a public vote.

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am surprised that only 1% is all that is requested. Politicians and government has just about taxed and lied it's self into a corner.
The economy is shot and I see nothing in the future but misery as there will be no jobless recovery. The politicians have run off all of the manufacturing with nafta and gatt and now we are a service oriented nation. I see no change whatsoever other than negative in respect to jobs or a bounce back into prosperity. In my opinion people will not recognize this place in two more years. 1% tax? why not ask for 10% as the wealth is all gone now.

Posted by average_joe (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the commission consideds a local school tax, then the taxpayers should demand a consolidated school system. There is too much waste of tax dollars to fund three different school systems for one county. We the tax payers should hold the commission's feet to the fire and require a quid pro quo---give a local school tax in return for a consolidated school system. Anything less, we should vote them out if they "go along to get along" without consolidation. Watch the commission, they are weak and could fold to education pressures. If necessary, we the tax payers should take time to attend the commission meetings and demand consolidation, or tell the school administrators to deal with financial shortages without a tax increase.

Posted by kbklc (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the County levy's a 1 cent tax I believe that only the County School System should benefit from it. The county Schools do not benefit from City of Opp having a 1 cent tax. So they shouldn't benefit from the county's one cent tax.

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would hope that the county commission is not so weak kneed as to bow to pressure from a special interest group, which is what this proposal is being supported by.
I have never seen a group as cash hungry as the AEA and the education system. They used up the stimulus funds as quick as they could get their hands on them. They blew thru the rainy day fund like cream corn thru a goose. Now they come begging for a tax increase. Just how much is enough? Administrators...do you think the voting tax paying public is stupid enough to believe this money will be used for the benefit of the kids? You just got millions in funds from a bond issue for infrastructure improvements...what is this request for? Pay raises, benefits, salaries for kin folk and cronies? I am damn sick and tired of our kids being used as hostages to extract more and more money to be friviously pissed away and I vow to fight this with every resourse at my disposal and I hope that everyone else in the county will rise up and do the same...that is everyone whose head is not firmly planted in the public trough.

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

biscuitsandhoovergravy, I don't think you could have put it any better. I agree with you 100%.

Posted by weasel (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm backing biscuitsandhoovergravy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bigger school systems are not what they are cracked up to be... look at larger systems and see what problems they have. Be careful what you wish for.

If the above poster would read and research, he/she would know that the stimulus funds have not been blown through... these funds are available for two years only and then they are not provided any longer. The school systems, as this article states, are looking ahead to when these funds are no longer provided.

What I find ironic is that a poster complains of dirty bathrooms. Have you ever thought about the fact that schools have now had to cut back on custodians due to budget cuts? When there are less custodians to go around, the bathrooms will be cleaned less frequently.

I hope this tax is passed. One percent is little to ask to support schools who are in a severe budget crisis.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone's in severe budget crisis. Just deal with it.NO MORE TAXES!

Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

biscuitsandhoovergravy: Great post from a true conservative!

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great post bisquitsandgravy, your words speak volumes.

Posted by Parley (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NO !!!! NO !!!!! NO !!!!! Hell NO !!!!

Posted by Parley (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we should fire all the School Systems administrators and appoint Bisquitsand gravy and the Covington County School ( ALL SCHOOLS ) CZAR...Go Bisquits !!!!!

Rest Assured we will be contacting the Covington County Commmision in opposition of this BS...

Add up all these leaches salaries, fire them then put that money to use on the kids education..

Damn this sounds like DEMO TAX AND SPEND or
Death of the taxpayer by a thousand small cuts..

HOGS get out of the trough and get back to work on educating our kids..

Damn !!!!

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the custodian that speeds by my house running the stop sign is any indication of how they perform their job it is no wonder they are filthy. Dead wood at it's best.

Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe this! What is a penny? It's left on the ground, in your car, thrown away, in disregard every second. What happened to "it's more blessed to give than recieve". Our children are our future. Their worth more than a penny on every dollar. I wonder how many pennies each child could collect and bring to school for the whole school year. That would be interesting. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles would save them for the kids to carry. The one with the most could win a big prize. Why are you getting so upset over a penny?

Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You know it would only be a $1.00 for every $100. At Walmart yesterday this lady was taking up food or money for the elderly and the hungry. Did you give a penny? a dollar? I gave $10, it wasn't enough. We all have to do our part. I also wanted to give blood, I am Rh neg and it's very much needed, but hadn't eaten all day and old. How many gave blood at WalMart? We are selfish people you know that? What's happened to us?

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sweetnannie,Well everytime we turn around we are being taxed.It gets old,not to mention the pocket book gets lighter.

Posted by lwomega (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i think the whole point is that we as citizens are forced to live within our means. if i ran a budget deficit, i have no one to turn to and demand more money just so i can keep doing business as usual.

i'm sorry the state budget for education is slashed. i wish it wasn't. i know that it's going to impact a lot of people in our area negatively. but there is too much fat still in the system to remove before we start throwing more money at it. i personally like the consolidation plan. i also believe we should close and consolidate schools as well. it's stupid to have schools open for 100 kids

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We don't need any additional taxes...they need to tighten their belt just like everybody else does. Giving to charities or the needy is much different than a tax being levied on people. Two different animals so don't confuse the two.

Posted by gasman (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree with average_joe and will be there on the 9th heck just barrow some money from the QUEEN

Posted by gypsy36420 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with hooverbiscuitsandgravy 100% and to sweetnannie not everyone throws away their pennies. I believe wholeheartedly in the old cliche 'find a penny pick it up......etc'. I too gave money to help feed the sick and elderly. I too will do without buying myself something to give to a charity to help others. I have been known to give my last dollar just to help others and I have given to the school system as well for many years and I help my daughter with her children by helping purchase items not provided by the school system as they too may have an opportunity to a good education, but enough is enough, no more taxes!!!

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For those stating that the school systems have waste, please provide your sources.

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The following is from an article in the Tuscaloosa News and are the words of state school superintendant Joe Morton.

Morton said the average Alabama teacher salary has increased 112 percent since 1986, from $23,040 to $48,906. During the same time, out-of-pocket medical costs for single teachers have not increased. Out-of-pocket medical insurance for families was $95 a month in 1986 and $134 this year, a 41-percent increase.

Taxpayer funding for the public education health insurance plan increased 1,153 percent, from $60 per month in 1986 to $752 a month this year, Morton said.

The teacher insurance plan seeks $995 a month per employee for the 2010-11 fiscal year for a total of more than $1 billion.

“A partial reason (for budget problems) is available dollars we do have are disproportionately allocated to fringe benefits,” he said.

Anyone care to challenge these facts?

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My children have graduated, but the kids now need all the education they can get. When we are old and gray, these kids will be running our gov't. They need all the learning they can get. I know alot of ppl are on tough times and its tough on my family. If we don't invest in our local kids, who will be running this county in 10 or 20 years? If not our children, no telling what out of county educated big wheel may be elected with even worse ideas. Its not like we spend $500 at Wal-Mart every week. A penny on every dollar will not be bad for the future we are hoping for. I do agree, lets get control on the education spending. Someone should be appointed to over see the spending of these monies. Thanks and God Bless Covington County

Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am originally from Central Florida. I have seen what closing schools and consolidating them can do....the schools are like colleges. Some kids have to drive or ride a bus for almost 2 hours every morning and night. Do you really want a Covington County High School or Middle School. Havoc! We could close all the high schools and bus Opp, Florala, Pleasant Home, Red Level to Straughn, build just one wing and hire just a few teachers and save a lot of money. Do you really want to do that? Duh!! We are very fortunate that our schools are small and much safer than other states and counties. Count our blessings and quit complaining. Sure budgets should be met, but what again is a penny for the children. This is just a lot of talk without really knowing what your asking for. Or either you don't have kids or grandkids in school anymore.

Posted by mikeo (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Sweetnannie.. "a penny left on the ground"..is a lot different than a penny comming out of every dollar I earn! Yea, it's just another penny, that goes along with the other 24 or 36 pennies that my savings are LOSING!
Go Bis&Grav, I am too peaved to even go on!! Good Lord people, why don't we just ask all of our Goverments.."Ok, I'm stupid, how much of my earnings are you going to let me keep this week?".

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 4:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lol next year they will want another 1 cent tax for education,and then again the year after that.When will it ever stop?

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree %100 percent with biscuitandhoovergravy on Oct 31, 2009, 9:50.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Biscuits: I hope Reader has read your comment on Oct. 31,2009, 7:44pm. THANK YOU!!!

Posted by rlb1940 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Before this tax is hurriedly passed by four good ole country boys in the name of education, a penny on the dollar, is millions of dollars per year for the rest of our lives that will effect every purchase made in the entire county forever, I propose a 'fact finding mission'.
Taxpayers and 'retailers' impanel a group or committee and ride to our two southern neighboring counties, Okaloosa and Walton Counties which have no less than a dozen 'state of the art' NEW SCHOOLS, these school systems make Covington Schools look decrept, no disrespect intended for that statement but it is the truth. I ask this panel to study their system, see what makes it work so well, and report the findings back to the Covington County Public and the Covington County Commission.
This is not an impossible task, a 'study' is done on everything. Help me out folks, or your going to get a new tax in the name of education.

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Reader said, "For those stating that the school systems have waste, please provide your sources."

WASTE ... the incompetent teachers and administrators.
SOURCE ... first hand knowledge.

Posted by elduac (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stori...

Overtaxed?

Posted by starburst (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

consolidation does not mean one SCHOOL - it does mean one SYSTEM over all the schools

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

elduac, lower property taxes is a good thing, not a bad thing.

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lower taxes in general, not just property taxes.

Posted by countryboy (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

if the people running the school system would get off thier lazy buts and go out to the schools they could see where our money is going. To many people being paid to do nothing. I remember when we only had 1 person to clean and take care of all the things that went wrong at school. he had to work,but thats the key word.no one will work at the schools now they just get a check.as for the gate at red level school,look at the one thats running the school. he has to have something to hide behind. he's so scared of the students. we need people like we use to have there like bosco,willis bell and others that wasn't afraid to stand up and take action when needed. if u did wrong you got your butt busted. now days everyone is scared because the law says u can't punish the kids,well thats crap, thats just a way to keep from doing anything. we dont need more taxes we need people who will stand up and be counted. take our schools back and make the kids take care of them. oh yeah, make the teachers TEACH instead of sending everything home for working parrents to have to teach thier kids.

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Biscuits- I do care to challenge your facts as you conveniently left out part of your "report". Yes, teachers pay a very low amount for health insurance and even AEA has conceded that this may have to change. However, part of the bargaining that has taken place on this issue has seen co-pays and deductibles increase (placing more of the burden of insurance on teachers). This was included in the article you referenced but you must have accidentlly left this off... (much of the increase that the state has absorbed has taken place more recently and I do agree that this has not kept pace with teacher contributions).

Comparing teacher pay in 1986 to pay in 2009 is silly. To quote an easy figure to google, minimum wage in 1986 was $3.35. It is now $7.25. Nearly all pay has increased dramatically in that time. Alabama teacher pay, on average, still ranks 36th among all states. I do believe, however, that it is adequate given living costs in Alabama.

To the poster that said let us look at Florida... the obvious glaring difference between Alabama and Florida in terms of funding schools.... lottery.

SouthernAttitude- opinions only. For every negative experience you have had, others can match with a positive experience. State facts, not opinions.

For those of you feeling taxed to death, visit the link elduac provided. Alabama has little to substantiate over-taxed excuses.

Again, I ask for proof of waste...

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lower property tax is NOT a good thing. If we really wanted to fix the constant funding problem of schools, we would fund schools with property tax instead of the constant flux of sales tax.

Countryboy- I heard the local schools are looking for new substitute teachers. Since you obviously have all the answers to teaching and cleaning, sign yourself up and fix education once-and-for-all. Then you can end the teaching at home... I've only heard it called homework, however.

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Reader, I would think if the principal the teacher was working under made it plain she was incompetent then it would stand to reason the principal, an administrator, knew what he was talking about.

Some teachers, and I did say SOME, are too under-educated to be teaching children, or anyone else for that matter.

Fact is fact. Don't need statistics from a bunch trying to line their own pockets. Common sense, try that on for size.

This amounts to taxation without representation.

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fair enough, Southern Attitude... I can agree that there are some bad teachers. With your emphasis of "some", I can agree. I disagree with the taxes part.

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lower taxes are a good thing....we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Posted by former2greenville (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Many of you won't be happy unless we had no taxes at all, so lets eliminate taxes all together, so we can have:

No police
No military
No immigration control
No maintained roads
No education
No prisons

So easily you forget that you only get what you pay for. Sure, is waste in every entity (business, agency) that spends money, you can't have something for nothing. You do your best to hold those in charge accountable for wasting money. How do you do that? VOTE.

If you don't like what your elected officials are doing with your money, or don't like who they appoint, VOTE THEM OUT. Or don't complain.

Posted by Parley (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope everyone will get out the VOTE !!!

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To: former2Greenville, you seem to be upset because so many are sick of being taxed without any accountability. These are your words: Many of you won't be happy unless we had no taxes at all, so lets eliminate taxes all together,"
Maybe you forget the famous quote " Of the people, For the People and By the People" and not " Of the government, For the government, and By the government."
It has been your wonderful government that has killed the economy not happen stance or bad trends in the stock market ( nafta and gatt and other stupid legislation). If you did not already know it , the country is broken and will not recover ,only more taxing of the citizenry to death and or by increasing the tax on land or property until people can no longer stay in their homes. There will be no jobless recovery so this taxing of the people is going to get out of control fast. All politicians have done thus far is tax , spend and lie to the people so I can really understand the comments of " no more" and " live on what you got". Let the government start more buisness for themselves as they are already in the liqour buisness in this state. Pooey on taxes.

Posted by former2greenville (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Greed killed our economy-- too much borrowing, lenders being wreckless by helping people borrow far beyond their means, banks and insurance firms that were allowed (due to de-regulation) to create rediculously risky investments and funds and derivative market trash- all this built up a tower of cards waiting for the wind to blow.

Also, last time I checked, WE ELECT OUR GOVERNMENT, so they are OF the people. If you dislike our government so much, VOTE THEM OUT or move to Cuba.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

former2greenville I have tried to vote them out,but there were so many idiots that voted for Obama I lost.

Posted by elduac (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My point is that in a low taxed nation we are on the bottom, I think all the whining about being over taxed is ignorant. We will get only the service we pay for and no more. Educating our children is the most important government service. We cannot compete for long with undereducated workers and we will not attract the best and brightest to teaching unless we pay them. Public education is the foundation of the economy and if it's problems are ignored we will have serious results in a few years.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

elduac so I guess someone who works 2 jobs, barely paying there bills, and has just enough for groceries should'nt complain?I bet those folks are all for more taxes.Yeah right.

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I tell you what. All of you folks that want to have your taxes raised can just make a check out and donate whatever amount you feel you need to let the schools or any other government entity have. Just don't tax the rest of us who are sick of having to pay for other people that can't manage money.

Posted by elduac (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did I say I want more taxes? I just think that we need to decide what we want and then be responsible and pay for it. Lookeyhere now morecowbell I pay my share and am proud of the bang Alabama gets for the little we pay. I just think we should be thinking of how to get us off the bottom.

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

elduac: "Did I say I want more taxes?"

What are you saying then? Personally, I don't think we pay too little, I think the other states pay too much. Case in point, people are leaving New York in droves for this very reason.

http://gothamist.com/2009/10/27/taxpayer...

Posted by elduac (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe closer to the middle would help but not through regressive sales taxes. If we really want better schools and better teachers we will have to pay for it. If we are happy now then I guess you are right but I hope we could agree to do better for our children.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the children would get the money then I would vote for it but the money will be p!$$ed away on what we will never know. No, to a Tax hike of any kind!!!!! Make do. I'm sorry!!

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's what I'm asking for, winkie... where is your source that shows money is being pi$$ed away? I hear these claims all the time but I rarely see anything but the same ol' story- repeated but with no facts. Examples? Experiences? Sources? Anything but heresay?

Posted by mom5 (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In regards to elduac: I have to dissagree with the comment of the government's involvement with educating our children. The comment of "public education is the foundation of our economy" is actually why we are where we are today. We send our children to school for 8 hours, they are taught what the school/teachers/and government dictates them to be taught. They are not learning how to "fix" or improve or even what it takes to survive today. Parents need to be involved with their childrens education. We are in a society today where we just send our kids off and forget about them and let others(strangers) teach our children. I do not know why it takes so much money to teach children. I am a mother of 5 who has homeschooled my children. I also worked and took care of my parents. It cost me much less to order my books and programs than it did to send them to public school. They have graduated and gone on to college and are now making 50-70k a year in their profession. If we care about our kids then we need to take control of their education! My question with this propossed tax increase is this: Does any of the money go to the homeschooled families in the county? Do they get any help financially? The answer would be No! They would use the money correctly!!!!

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mom- that is silly. How much did you pay yourself? Comparing homeschooling and public education is comparing apples and oranges.

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not very silly at all.

Posted by butterup (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is a sad day when your child doesn't have a text book to bring home to use for homework or to study by. I honestly don't mind paying the sales tax if it would be used like it should-for education purposes only. I don't see the need for the city schools to get any extra funding from a county tax because the county schools don't get any funding from the city taxes.

Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The comments are much better reading than the article.

The so called conservatives want to blame the democrats and the AEA. They say "tax and spend", while forgetting the average overall tax on middle class Americans increased over the last eight years and their conservative president doubled the national debt. So much bull from conservatives! Parley should turn of the republican channel (Fox Noise) and get a life.

Biscuitandhoovergravy, your post concerning wage increases shows teachers got a fair increase compared to most jobs. The post concerning the increase in medical costs is very relevant to the problem with funding in education and the county government (who wants part of the education tax increase). Since you pointed the medical cost problem out, I guess you are supporting the Obama plan or some similar plan to reduce medical costs to government agencies? No?

In the vast majority of cases home schooling is an effort to shield children from society. The same society they will live in later and be unprepared to deal with. I personally know 7 home schooled children who are now adults. The 3 girls are married with children and don't work. Of the four boys, one is seeking a disability check for mental health problems, one is a reclusive farmer working with his father who owns the land, one works at Lowes, and one is a successful (White Supremist) business man. My view of home schooling is it is a failure most of the time.

Funding schools with property tax revenues is much more stable than funding schools with sales tax revenues. The constitutional tax structure for Alabama was established in the pre-civil rights era and only allows local authorities to increase poor men's taxes (sales tax) instead of property taxes. In this case I don't favor any tax increase for education, but certainly not a sales tax increase.

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Reader, did you not know that Public schools on a whole have been teaching the children a whole lot of nothing since the 60's. Communist training centers from what I have personally been able to observe. I homeschooled my two children and they both have 5 times the intelect of the other children their age. Public school teaches collectivism or running with the herd.(Federal Government intervention). Don't believe any of what I have just shared???? From the time of entry in K1 until exiting as a senior in high school , independance is discouraged and dependance is encouraged. (Be like everybody else or you will stick out like a sore thumb)
Anyone who is thinking for themselves is frowned upon. If you will notice we no longer call our breaking free from England "Indepenace Day" but rather we call it 4th of July holiday. ( Can't have that word independance our there in plain site. )Look how many people are dependant on the government for their substanance and the numbers are growing daily. This does not sound like a system that is working very good. I agree with winkie, MorecowBell, and Mom5. We need to start using our brains and teaching our children the same thing.

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Very silly. Running a homeschool is nothing like running a public school. (Can't believe I even have to explain this). Homeschool- uses an existing structure as school; employs one individual (who may or may not have any education themselves); selective curriculum; provides education to select few so issues are completely different (supplies for 5 versus supplies for 500), etc.

Darryl- please cite your sources that schools are about dependence, thinking as group versus individual, etc. You state your "5 times smart" children were homeschooled yet you claim to know so much about public schools.

Sources, posters, sources. Many of you lack facts. You know what people say about opinions...

Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The article wasn't about public school vs. private school vs. home schools. It has nothing to do with teachers or how well they are doing their jobs. It is about funding. Most of us want the most bang for our buck. Whether or not we're getting that, I don't know but I do know that there is waste in all government including education. But there is nothing wrong with tightening the belt during lean times just as any family or business has to do in order to survive. I'm not trashing the schools, the administrators or the teachers but it is only right to live within your means rather than automatically increasing the sales tax a penny/buck. That's not the only way to balance a budget.

Posted by chefjones (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have a question for the powers that be. I owned a business in Opp and sales tax was 9% and now I own a business in Andalusia and the sales tax is 8%. We were told, in Opp that the increase was for education and it would be temporary. Well it never changed. Andalusia went to 9% percent at the same time and declared it was temporary and indeed it was. My question is why is Opp needing another increase? What happen to the original 1% "temporary" increase. Where does it stop?
I agree if it is for children, you do have or children you don't have, we all should help fund the education system, however taking one where the sun "don't" shine, frankly I will not do.
In this county of 39,000 people we have to many systems. We should merge our education system, with the exception of Florala. I believe they live to far away to be bussed, save $300,000 in administration cost and have three times the elective courses at school and even maybe use Opp High School as a Technical School. I also see money wasted at the top level. Superintendents should tighten their money belts also.
As for the teachers. God bless you. I could never do it. The ones that truly care and teach our children you should make what the Administrators make and they should take a cut in pay. You are in the trenches while they go to seminars and learn teaching tools that never make it back to the class room. God Bless You.

Posted by workingman (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Another tax increase with out good representation, here' an idea why tax the food I feed my chrildren more?, why don't you tax all the dog foof, horse, cattle and any and all live stock feed slod here in Covington County, I'll bet the most of you do not know if I go to thee feed store and buy foog for my dog, horse, cows or any live stock and or supplies I do not pay tax on that, I wonder how and why did this come about maybe those in charge has all of this.

Posted by daddyd (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All you have to do to collect money for education without adding the burden of another tax is to start having instant scratch off ticket's,win 4 numbers,powerball,right now everyone go's to Florala to buy their lotto ticket's and is helping out the state of Florida.Why not help out our own state with this sought of revenue. Have a certain amount of the money generated from this go to our kids education. It would generate a lot more than another tax and this would not put any extra burden to the tax payer.

Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

daddyd....I'm sorry but that is not possible, you see Alabama is Bible totin, gun totin, self rightous back stabbing hypocrites, and that would go against all of our standings for what we've fought for ever since we've been Babtist.

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

On the subject of a lottery in Alabama to fund education please read this very informative article on the idea and it's implementation in other states.

http://www.heartland.org/publications/sc...

Posted by Parley (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PATRICK ? you said "Parley should turn off the republican channel (Fox Noise) and get a life" You need to:

Find out where your coming from before you diss me.
Understand what the issue is before you post a comment.
Consolidate all the School Systems in Covington County.
Keep a watchfull eye on the money for education.
You seem to be confused about your politics, LOL.
Only a true conservative wants whats best for our kids.
Until more folks get involved it will be more of the same.

hmmm from your posted comments it appears that you agree with mine. that is NO NEW TAXES on the workin man. LOL so why the pun at me in particular when you seem to want the same thing. NO NEW TAXES on the workin man

Consolidate the School Systems, give the savings to hard working teachers who successfully prepare our students for the workplace ...

FOX NEWS FOREVER BABY !!! Opin on my friend..its still a free country for now...

Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

biscuits....good North Carolina article, good straight folk up there too, I'm glad they're 'agin' gamblen too! see what else you can find.

Posted by andymascot (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that we should obtain several billboards around the county and place the pictures of any commission member who votes for a tax increase. Schools and counties should live within their means. Lately all of us have had to cut back. NO MORE TAXES!

Posted by Parley (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That is a Great Idea for action andymascot !!! Bravo

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would love to know who supports the tax- then I will throw my support behind them!! (Anyone see the irony of a poster wanting to spend $$ to show who is supporting a tax?) Really... I continue to ask... what waste? What means are schools suppose to live in? If your budget was constantly cut by 7%, 9%, 11%-- how would you live within means? When school budget cuts are made, they lose hundreds of thousands of dollars... or even millions. We aren't talking about turning off the cable and cell phone as an individual/family might do. We are talking about laying off teachers (and class sizes will soar), eliminating vital programs, eliminating supplies of all types, and much more. It astounds me that posters will continue to claim waste but refuse to provide evidence of such. If you have evidence of waste and therefore feel new taxes are unfair, show it. Otherwise, I can only believe you have no such evidence to base your decision and are claiming something that is simply not true. I figured that much anyhow.

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Six thousand kids make up the student population of Opp & Andalusia, and the County School System all combined. Of these 6000 students the combined "BUDGETS" for these 3 systems are over 40 Million Dollars, ($40,000,000.00) not to include the extra grants along the way of a few hundred thousand to the extra 3 million just dolled out for building and stadium repairs.
These fiqures are rounded off by the way, and that is a rough $7000.00 per child per school year (9 months), or about $200 per week per child to school, I know many of the parents that don't make much more than that, but yet have to feed and clothe also, the additional tax would just be the 'final' nail in the coffin of Covington County.
If these super educated officials in the school system can't teach these youngins on $40 plus million a year, the whole system needs to be overhauled and redone to fit our budgets, Abraham Lincoln was President and didn't receive as good of education as these kids are getting right now on the money they have, what are they doing with that $40 million?

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 5:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AMEN & AMEN!!!!

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people think gambling will help generate taxes for our school system. Yes you are right, BUT the people who loose their money wont be able to pay bills, feed their children for a time. Some will lose everything, maybe their own lives. Then what? Think about it for a while. I say NO to gambling. NO New Taxes. Please remember to vote in 2010.

Posted by Reader (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

According to 2007 Census information, Alabama spends an average of $8400 per student. The majority of spending is on direct instructional support (teachers, not including administration or support staff). Less than 9% is spent on administration. So, if supportVets math is correct, Covington County schools (meaning the county schools and the two city systems) are well below the state average on spending.

Posted by Blondie58 (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You want to see waste Reader? Waste is when you have teachers whose spouses make $100,000+ each year get on the state insurance program. These same spouses get up to $1,500 a year from the company they work for because they are not on the company insurance plan. This goes on all over the state while the hard working taxpayer has to pay for not only their insurance if they can afford it but for everybody else who could easily afford the insurance at the company they work for. If that is not waste of taxpayer's money, I don't know what is. When our insurance goes up every year we have to pay more and our deductibles and co-pay goes up as well.

Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This local issue gets comments on the national issue of healthcare reform because healthcare cost increases are much the cause. If healthcare was addressed on a state or national basis, it would not be a cost to schools, local governments or businesses. Given a student to education employee ratio of 20 to 1 and using the $995/employee health insurance cost, we spend $50 per month per student on healthcare for education employees.

When driving through the county I observe new buildings being constructed by the healthcare providers, defense industry contractors and the churches. They apparently are doing well during the recession. The commission needs to tax them and not the poor and working people in the county. Since Alabama tax laws don't allow the commission to increase taxes on any one except the poor and working people, don't raise taxes at all. The schools need to get by on what they have.

This said when the tax is past in spite of our objections, the county doesn't need to siphon off part of the money intended for education into the general fund.

Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I 'Nominate' Patrick to fill Seth Hamments seat in the upcomming 2010 election. (See William Blocker to qualify if Republican, or Allen Woodard if Democrat) !

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll SECOND that motion...all in favor say "I"

Posted by gasman (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

we can all say we are against the TAX i am but if we don't attend the meeting on the 9th ( which the educators are hoping) these commissioners will vote it in.Just look what happened to bingo they was for it but a the turn out against it showed up and they folded like a wet dish rag JUST BE THERE AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's right gasman. Talk is cheap. We need to show up in force and let the commission know that we are not in favor of another tax on the working man. Since the educators are in the bed with the commission on this issue due to the fact they are planning on sharing the bounty it is going to be a hard sell for us.

Posted by whataload (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For those of you dead set against a tax i suggest you look at what is happening around the country at other places that have shot the tax down. Just last night there was a program on about a community that voted down a small tax increase. They had to stop ALL school extra curricular activities. Including ALL SPORTS. When this happened more than 50% of the population moved in 3 months. A once thriving community is now DEAD and on the verge of closing the school due to lack of funding and attendance.

What would happen to Covington County if 50% of the population moved to Greenville or Montgomery? I would much rather see a small sales tax increase then have unemployment rates in the 20-25% range. Don't be so small minded to think about that .01 of each dollar, think about the big picture.

Yes I have a child that is school age. I support the Lottery if done correctly because i have seen first hand how much good it has done for schools in other states. I support anything that will improve the education of our future leaders. Covington County and Alabama are falling behind in the times. Think about Darwin if you want to never change..

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks 'gasman', I wouldn't have even known about the meeting without your post. Right now I'm paying sales tax, tax on my gasoline, tax on my electricity, tax on my telephone, tax on my groceries, tax on my property, tax on the supplies to 'keep up my property', tax when I sell a piece of property, I'm paying Federal Income tax, state income tax, quarterly tax, social security tax.
All my taxes want and need increases as America is 'broke', CIT Corp fell Sunday, 137 banks folded in California and Texas last Friday, Colonial Bank in Andalusia folded, with more to come accross the country according to the Federal Reserve Chairman on cable tv, which is also taxed.
The 'county government' needs to tighten their belts, just like the utility companies, and school systems. What are you gonna do when one of these large financial giants folds and takes Shaw down with them likes happening accross the nation?

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yea and tax on my vehicle, tax on my tag, tax on my boat, tax on my boat registration, tax at Burger King and McDonald's, tax at Walmart, tax and bread, tax and potatoes, tax and shrimp, tax kabobs, tax and gravey, tax stew..........................

Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My personal favorite has always been tax 'gumbo' with a dash of late penalty and interest for that special seasoning.

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The best thing that anyone can do with this sinking ship is just hand over our entire paycheck and let those over us , the government , decide what is best for us as they have been taking the majority of our earnings from us by clever means since I have been alive.
Nearly 40% right off the top to the IRS (Police arm or the Federal Reserve). Then whatever is left 7 to 10% is taken on every purchase . So why worry about making new rules to add just a little more tax to our lives . Let's just give it all to the State as they know better than anyone how to best spend our blood ,sweat and tears into oblivian. We ought to be glad they let us keep any of our earnings. They way the economy is going that might be case sooner than later.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

whataload of 'CRAP'!

Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mebbe we could stop the sales tax increase with this revenue idea:

stuff the bear and stick him at the front entrance of walmart. charge people $2 to take a picture with him. Judging from the pix going around on email, the interest would be huge!! County schools keep the proceeds!

Charge extra dollar for props like funny huge sunglasses.

Posted by canon09 (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"whataload," I agree with you. I am all for helping the students of Covington County. People do not understand that the school systems are in BIG trouble for the next two years. Education is the first thing on the chopping block while these big businesses see more profits. When educational programs are cut our children are going to suffer! Why don't people understand that???? I say go after these big businesses who are NOT paying their share of taxes because some politicians "are in bed" with the big businesses. Yes, we are taxed to death and I do agree with that, BUT this is for our children, come on people!

Posted by workingman (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well here is an idea, not only place a sales tax on feed for animales, have the county subcontract out most of its work. While driving around one can planley see the waste. When there is a county or state crew working, there will be one working and seven looking on. It took a crew of eight men to place a pipe under bearfoot road seven hours. If this were sud., out it would have only taken a crew of three about three hours to do the same and send the extra to the schools.

Posted by whataload (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you think we are taxed to death already, look at some other countries. As far as income tax goes, we are the 8th LOWEST of the 25 major countries with Income tax. If you want lower..Move to Mexico they are at about 18% compared to our 30.

Want lower sales tax..move to Florida. then pay their land taxes and car taxes and school taxes.

Not happy where you are..move. Some of us love Andalusia, and Covington county and have and or do live else where and realize that the Grass is not Greener and heck..with all the snow I got in NY, the Grass did not grow at all.

Posted by for_whatever_it_is_worth (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

biscuitsandhoovergravy, I am a school teacher in Covington County and I assure you I don't make $48,906 per year teaching. I, like many other teachers, actually work two jobs.

Posted by TheTeach (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am also a teacher and I do not make that amount of money either. I do not work two jobs because honestly, I spend too much time in the evenings and on weekends preparing for teaching.

Depressing saying that I have always heard- pay for schools now, or welfare and prison later.