Citizens Journal (Atlanta, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 32, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 9, 1990 Page: 3 of 20
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AISD sets hearing on proposed tax rate
Citizana Journal, Sunday, Sopt 9, 1990 3A
drive
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AISD '
Continued from page 1
get there are going to $1.18 this
year."
The Education Finance Reform
Bill is putting the pressure on poor
school districts, such as Atlanta, to
compete for state dollars. The
criteria for future public school fund-
ing is based on two major elements:
district property value and local tax
effort, or the district's tax rate.
Those are figured in the formula for
the rate of return on state money.
Under current formulas, local tax-
payers pick up the tab for less than
a third of the Atlanta district's
budget — 30.6 percent. State fund-
ing and other sources of revenue
account for the remaining 69.4 per-
cent.
"For every $31 spent locally,
they're getting $69 right back in
here," Cox illustrated. "That's as
good a deal as you can hope to
get."
Danger of losing funds
What happens if the board ul-
timately votes to reduce the
proposed rate? Because of the
funding formula, for every penny the
rate is reduced, the district will lose
$17.90 per student in guaranteed
state money. The Texas Education
Agency estimates the Atlanta dis-
trict will have an Average Daily At-
tendance (ADA) of 1,987 students
"Based on that, for every cent the
proposed rate goes down, that's
$35,567 in state money we won't
got this year," the superintendent
calculated. "Add $24,519 that we
lose in local revenues and you can
see where we would be cutting our-
selves out of $61,000 for each pen-
ny we reduce the proposed tax
rate."
Cox also emphasized that, for
every dollar the district does not
take advantage of this year, it will
receive only 25 percent of that dol-
lar next year //they raise taxes next
year.
"Not only do they lose that dollar
this year, they lose it in subsequent
years. It's 25 percent the first year,
then 50 cents the next and 75 cents
the next and then 100 percent, and
that's only if they're at $1.18 by that
fifth year. If not, they lose even
more," said Cox.
How does AISD compare?
According to figures released by
AISD Taxes 101: a primer for 1990-91
1. What it th« proposed property tax rata for 1990-91?
The proposed rate is 90.571 cents per $100 valuation.
2. How doea that compare with the one adopted leat September?
The tax rate for 1909-90 was 04.68 cents per $100 valuation
3. How much of an Increaae la that?
The increase is 14 percent, or just under 12 cents per $100 valuation.
4. Why la thla increaae needed?
For basically two reasons. One, the 96 cents is the minimum level the district's tax rate can be this year in
order to obtain the maximum amount of state money for 1990-91. This was brought about by the adoption of
the public school finance reform plan known as Senate Bill 1. Secondly, it will provide some of the necessary
revenue for the newly adopted budget of $6.67 million.
5. How much will the Increase generate?
Approximately $600,000.
6. How will that $600,000 be used?
To pay salaries for several new instructional positions in the district, such as a librarian, a counselor and
several computer aides. The state has mandated that $145,000 be spent on teacher pay raises, and the dis-
trict will spend another $64,000 on cost-of-living raises for personnel. About $175,000 is earmarked for class-
room equipment, and about $100,000 in increased utility and insurance costs.
7. How will the local property owner be affected?
According to Janelle Clements, Chief Appraiser for the Cass County Tax Appraisal District, the average
homeowner in the school district will pay an additional $31.72 in the coming year because of the increase
0. What will happen If the achool board reducee the rate from the proposed 96-cent level?
According to figures provided by the state, for every penny the proposed rate is reduced, the district will
lose $61,000 in state and local revenues. In addition, for every dollar the district gives up this year, it will only
be eligible for 25 cents of that dollar next year.
9. How doee AISD compare with other achool districts In Texas?
Figures supplied by the State Property Tax Board show that Atlanta ranks number 303 of 1,052 districts
with its present 04-cent tax rate. That puts the district in the 20th percentile with respect to tax ratss. Right at
50 percent of the districts had tax rates at 96 cents or above last year. Of those 515 districts. 457 had rates
of $1 or above.
10. Where can a district resident find out more or have his opinion heard?
The district will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rate Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.. in the board
room of the AISD Administration Building, 315 Buckner.
Journal staff photo by LARRY SUMMERS
Valiant effort
Atlanta and St. Michael Hospital emergency personnel put critically ln|ured Michael Ray Cruson, 33,
of Atlanta Into the Air Life helicopter. Cruson was Involved In a traffic accident on Hwy. 59 north and
transported to the Texarkana hospital where he later died.
Weatherization
program begins
The Community Council Serving
Bowie, Camp, Cass, Marion and
Morris Counties, Inc. has an-
nounced that funds are available to
weatherize homes in its five-county
service area.
According to Diane Endsley, the
main goals of the program are to
stop infiltration of air and thus
reduce utility bills for low-income
families, especially those of the el-
derly or handicapped. Funding
comes through the Texas depart-
ment of Community Affairs.
Endsley said that houses to be
weatherized must be structurally
sound. Weatherization is not a
repair or remodeling program, she
said. It is designed to enhance
energy conservation measures.
Funds expended per dwelling unit
are limited.
Some of the possible services
available include weatherstripping,
caulking, replacing broken glass,
roof repair (patching only), insula-
tion, underpinning, storm windows
and hot water jackets.
Proof of household income is re-
quired to determine eligibility. To
apply, contact Mrs. Endsley at the
Community Council offices in Lin-
den, at 756-5596.
DRINKING AND DRIVING
CAN ADD UP
PLEASE AVOID DWI
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
tyautie 9+uutedl
ta fjaUi
Jon Mourglia
of
'The Potters House"
Saturday, Sept 15
7 p.m.
at
First Baptist Church
E. Hiram Atlanta
"The Potter's House" Is a unique ministry through
the medium of pottery, which combines the natural
talent of Jon Mourglia as a potter with a spiritual gift
of teaching the Word of God. Jon's teaching Involves
bringing a potter's wheel that Is used to illustrate the
different points of his teaching.
Free Admission ^
A
the State Property Tax Board, the
Atlanta Independent School District
ranks in the 28th percentile of all
districts in the state with regards to
tax rate and in the 31st percentile
with respect to district wealth. The
SPTB report said that Atlanta's
present tax rate of 84.68 cents
ranks 303rd of 1,052 school districts
in Texas.
The highest tax rate in the state is
in the Union ISO with $1.88. The
lowest is found in Kenedy Coun-
tywide Consolidated School District,
which has 51 students, at 16.83
cents per $100 valuation.
Of the 1,052 school districts, 457
had tax rates of $1 or above going
into the 1989-90 fiscal year. Almost
half (515) of the school districts al-
ready had tax rates above the 96
cents proposed for Atlanta ISD this
year. The average tax rate in Texas
in 1989-90 was 95 cents, the report
revealed.
Cox encouraged any interested
taxpayer or resident of the district to
attend the public hearing Tuesday
night. "This is definitely not some-
thing we're trying to hide," he said.
Tickets for
Scruggs show
still available
Tickets are still available for the
special presentation of Joe Scruggs
at the First United Methodist Church
in Atlanta on Saturday, Sept. 15.
According to Jill Daniels, Director of
Children's Ministries, the children's
artist is renowned for presenting an
evening of wholesome family enter-
tainment geared, not just for
children, but for all ages.
"His talent and creativity, his com-
edic melodies and insightful presen-
tations, have earned him the
Parent's Choice Foundation's
praises for someone in his field,"
she said.
Tickets for "An Evening with Joe
Scruggs" are on sale at the church
office for $3 each. Children under
the age of two are admitted free.
Call 796-8247 for more information.
«. E M I Li
*f
(^Mountain
VallejT*
Spring
Jf A T E ^
Home & Office Delivery
501-772-4111
1-800-541-0582
For Life Insurance,
check with
State Farm.
• Permanent Life • Term Life
• Universal Life
ROGER RICE
CALL: 809 W. Main
Atlanta, Tx. 75551
796-9262
Enpf
Autumn's Natural
Gift Fx Beauty
Our Country Autumn Gift is free with any 114.50 Merle Norman
cosmetic purchase. Inside you'll find eyeshadows in Smoke
Blue and Rosewood, lipstick in Spicey Rose, I.uxiva Energizing
Concentrate and I.uxiva Night Creme with HC-12"
fTlGRLE flORfTlfln
COSMETIC STUDIOS
219 East Hiram Street
Atlanta, Texas 75551
Dwen Raney (214) 796-2451
LOOK
796-4477
Carry Out and
Delivery Only
Marco's Pizza is Back!
Yes, we're back and clue to reduced over-
head, we can offer big savings to you! Just
compare - Our large single topping pizza
costs just $900..., theirs - $1205!
So, don't be fooled by gimmicks, coupons
or national advertising campaigns. We sim-
ply give you the best pizza in town, for the
best prices...And no coupons are needed!
We serve two sizes of pizza with either thin
or pan crust, a hot ham & cheese sandwich,
and our famous Brutus Sandwich. (Can
cokes available for 50*.)
For a lumch special (carry out only) we of-
fer a 12" two-topping pizza of your choice
for just $500 and cokes for just 25* (limit 2).
So, call Marco's at 796-4477 and start enjoy-
ing that great pizza taste again!
Hwy. 59 Loop
Across from Kentucky
Fried Chicken
Delivery hours
4 till close
7 days a week
796-4477
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Coleman, John. Citizens Journal (Atlanta, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 32, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 9, 1990, newspaper, September 9, 1990; Atlanta, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth348037/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Atlanta Public Library.