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Athens Republicans Oppose Opting Out of School Property Tax Cap

Newly elected school board member Mary Bagby took the oath of office Jan. 14 from Superior Court Judge Eric Norris. Credit: Blake Aued

The Clarke County school board held the first of three required public hearings Jan. 14 on its decision to opt out of House Bill 581, passed by the legislature during the last session and approved by voters in November. Many other school districts—including Gwinnett, Oconee and Madison County—are also opting out due to the strain the measure could put on their budgets. 

The provision ties property tax assessments to the rate of inflation, not to a rise in a home’s value. For example, if the inflation rate is 2% and the house’s assessed value rises by 5%, the school district will lose significant money, because the assessed value would be computed at 2%. The school district relies heavily on property taxes to operate—this year property tax revenue will be an estimated $135 million, which is 57% of the district’s general fund.             QBE (Quality Basic Education) is the state mechanism for funding public schools, but it hasn’t been updated since 1985. It pays the salaries of certified employees, meaning teachers. It doesn’t include money for buses, technology or the salaries of 630 classified employees, such as paraprofessionals, custodial and maintenance staff members, bus drivers, behavior interventionists or mental health professionals. In addition, CCSD is expected to contribute $1,580 per month per classified employee to the state health care system, a number that will rise to $1,885 in 2026. 

The people who spoke at last week’s hearing, many of them Republican activists, told the school board to tighten their belts and spend more responsibly. Most of them mentioned the same number: 62% of Clarke County voters approved the property tax cap. 

Jeb Bradberry said this means the school board should do as the voters want. With the school district, “We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” he said.

Joan Rhoden said the school board is suffering from “fiscal arrogance,” and she opposes the attempt to override the will of the voters, telling the board to “adjust your spending.”

Steve Middlebrooks said his dealership, Heyward Allen Toyota, paid $136,000 in school taxes, 16.2% more than a Toyota dealership in Atlanta. However, HB 521 only applies to owner-occupied homes, and CCSD officials contend that not opting out would put an even greater tax burden on businesses, as well as renters.

A second hearing, scheduled for Jan. 21, was postponed due to snow and will be rescheduled. The board will hold what would have been the third and final hearing on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at the CCSD central office, 595 Prince Ave.

In other news, an unnamed community organization—not the Athens Land Trust—is talking to school district leadership about partnering on a project on West Broad School campus. Superintendent Robbie Hooker told Flagpole he will share details if the school district decides to move forward, but he is glad someone is showing an interest in the site.

Six years ago, former CCSD Superintendent Demond Means terminated a contract with the Athens Land Trust for operating a community garden and farmer’s garden on the property of the West Broad. Then the school board nixed a proposal for an early learning center at the historic segregation-era Black school. The Athens-Clarke County government wanted to renovate and use the property as a youth development center, but the school board rejected that idea, so Mayor Kelly Girtz withdrew the offer. The buildings have been unused for close to 20 years.

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