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School board will tap reserves; won't raise millage

Posted by
Walter Geiger
in Top Stories
Monday, May 17. 2010
Comments (17)
The Lamar County Board of Education has published a tentative budget that calls for digging into its reserves to fund operations.

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#1 Anonymous on 05/17/10 at 06:21 PM
This means you are all on notice that you are gona get screwed next year.
#1.1 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 01:42 AM
Whats better, higher taxes
#2 Anonymous on 05/17/10 at 08:28 PM
This means that Dr. Truby & the Board have done a great job. The school system has come light years from where it was since Dr. Truby has been at the helm. Dr. Truby was voted by his peers -- the State's Superintendents Association -- as one of the top 4 superintendents / administrators in the state. You should be proud to have a man of great integrity and leadership in charge. From where I'm sitting, this is only the beginning and better things are yet to come...

#1, do you understand that a large number of the school systems in the state are having to reduce the number of school days from the normal 180 to something less. They're, also, having to eliminate teaching and administrative positions -- among other things -- to survive the state budget cuts. Be careful what you ask for... Why be so negative? Appreciate the good things that are being done.
#2.1 Thankful on 05/18/10 at 06:36 AM
I agree. Other schools are flat broke with no reserves causing them to furlough staff, reduce the amount of teachers and coaches. Some schools just cut their head coach positions, ROTC, ect. That just goes to show Lamar County is bugeting wisely and still have great things happening despite the economic hardship.
#3 The Snarky Georgian on 05/18/10 at 03:30 AM
Property taxes here are ridiculously cheap compared to rates elsewhere. I think the school system in Lamar County is remarkably efficient and well-run, especially given the open hostility many express toward education and teachers. As evidence, I offer #1 Anonymous's comment: without any basis whatsoever, he or she concludes that we are "gona get screwed." I am not sure what that comment means, but I suspect that the plan is for Lamar County to send more high school graduates to college. For that matter, it may simply have more high school graduates. It certainly would not hurt the community to have additional businesses locate here to take advantage of a better-educated citizenry.

What is the real issue here? The local schools have successfully navigated this budget crisis without layoffs or revenue increases. We should be thanking the dedicated folks in the schools, not making ignorant drive-by comments.
#3.1 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 04:37 AM
I have no problem paying my share of taxes as long as the money is used wisly and that the burden of taxes is distributed fairly amounge it citizens. I question if that is so.
#3.1.1 isa on 05/18/10 at 07:37 AM
3.1
The school taxes are not paid fairly by
all citizens. The people that rent do not
pay any tax for their children to go to school.
Only property owners pay school tax............
#3.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 08:45 AM
Not True...Do you actually think the land lord does not pass on the exspense?
#3.2 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 04:21 PM
You obviously lost yourself in yourself. You apparently didn't receive the message or was not capable of deciphering it. Your effort to display your IQ as above average renders you inept in the comprehension department. In other words, you have grabbed the piece of candy with the assumption there will be more. Better reach for the pink stuff because a sour stomach is heading your way if you are a property owner. Better yet, study up on economics + political rhetoric + verbal candy = screwed in the end.

I will not bother to test your understanding of how or where the revenue was arrived at. It would require you to visit past reality which I’m sure you are not capable of understanding. You continue to applaud the board because the things you don’t know is sure to bite you in the backside and the whitewash they are using is working on you anyway.

You might say that The Snarky Georgian has taken the bait: HOOK – LINE – and SINKER.
#4 ANON on 05/18/10 at 06:50 AM
if there is a surplus then wouldn't that mean the citizens were overcharged
#5 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 09:34 AM
As a teacher looking for a job, this is only leading to trouble for Lamar County!!! Trust me, it may seem nice now but what happens when the reserve funds are gone??
#5.1 M.S. on 05/18/10 at 02:14 PM
Why do you think we have reserve funds? For times like these. Lamar is becoming one of the best school systems in the area. Keep up the great work LC school system!
#6 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 10:16 AM
Not only are they minding the budget - they are adding programs for students in the upcoming school year in an economy where other school systems are drowning and making cuts left & right. Test scores are up. Moral is high. Success is contagious!

The tides are turning here and great things are happening at all the schools - sorry to disappoint all the "nay sayers". Lamar county should be proud of the schools, students, teachers & staff, and what is happening there. :)

PS. Good school systems become a places people WANT to live - which in turn helps the housing market - which in turn helps local business - we need to encourage this success to continue - we will all reap the benefits in the long run.
#6.1 jsimmons on 05/19/10 at 04:18 PM
Very well said. The School board has done a great job under the leadership of Dr. Truby. We are lucky to have him
#7 TTerry on 05/20/10 at 04:45 AM
These school taxes should be taken in a different way. A sales tax would be more fair for all of us, not property tax.
May-be it would be a good thing if no one pays any taxes for the whole year,and at the end of that physical year,have to pay all of the taxes at once.This means everything-property, gas,clothes,food ,and all of the taxes you owe Federal and state--everything.
I do believe if it was a once a year payment,and everyone pays their fair share,like so many of you like to stress,there would be a taxpayer revolt,especially from the ones that would have to pay that does not pay now,and does most of the complaining,which is about 47% of households on the Federal end,and the 60% of households that receive gov. money every month from the other people that pay their fair share,as some of you people say.
Remember the frog in water,if you have the water too hot to begin with,the frog jumps out.If you turn the heat up gradually, the frog just swims till he is cooked.Will not jump out of the hot water,because it is roasting it slowly. It gets use to it a little at a time.This is what is taking place now from gov.You, that are excited about paying,the water is almost at the boiling point. Set down with pencil and paper and figure how much you pay out,and how much you earn total,then write and tell me you are happy.You will find that you are living on approx. .47% out of every dollar. What percentage do you happy payers think is enough for one person or family should have to pay out of their yearly budget? It should be a lot less than what we pay now,especially when you are on a fixed income like a lot of us. If you figure your taxes and you are still happy about what you pay,please pay mine, because I am not happy to pay out more every year and the same or less coming in.It will catch up to you young people one day,and I hope I live to see the revolt that,I believe is coming.
#8 Angellady on 05/29/10 at 03:43 PM
Lamar county is a great school - the teachers are great.... the BOE and some of the office staff are not so wonderful. When u have children talked about by the BOE and the office staff - so much that the school HATES going to school. Also when the child is sick and can't help being out - but has A-B honor and they want to PLACE the child.... when u have kids that are getting promated that got there by the skin of their teeth..... something is way wrong!! I know a child needs to be in school - but the grades should count for something too. Also when the BOE and the school staff (not teachers) looks down on stay at home moms.... hmmm, shame on them! They will have to answer for their behavior.
#9 Anonymous on 05/29/10 at 06:40 PM
What "reserve funds"? where did these come from
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