TCSS To Host Informational Meeting Ahead Of Property Tax Vote

NORTHPORT, AL — The Tuscaloosa County School System will host an informational meeting at Tuscaloosa County High School to discuss proposed facility improvements that would be funded by a proposed tax increase to be voted on next month.

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As Patch previously reported, certain voters — mostly those outside of the City of Tuscaloosa — will cast ballots to decide the tax increase, the revenue of which would be allocated to TCSS.

The Tuscaloosa County Tax Assessor's Office explained the specifics of the measure, saying that the present millage rate for the two major county school districts is 4.5 mills. With Constitutional Amendment 778 currently in place, its half a mill will be removed if the vote for the 8 mill increase is successful, which will ultimately result in a net increase of 7.5 mills.

ALSO READ: What To Know About TCSS Property Tax Vote In February

The meeting will be held on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. and will focus primarily on the TCHS feeder pattern: Crestmont Elementary, Faucett-Vestavia Elementary, Flatwoods Elementary, Matthews Elementary, Huntington Place Elementary, Lloyd Wood Education Center, Northport Elementary, Collins-Riverside Intermediate, Northport Intermediate, Echols Middle, and Tuscaloosa County High.

In a letter to the TCSS community, school system officials said Tuscaloosa County ranks at the bottom of the state in millage rate for local school funding, despite the system being one of the largest in the state. Another popular talking point reiterated to the community is that Tuscaloosa County voters approved a millage rate increase for local school funding was more than 100 years ago, in 1917.

If the proposed property tax increase passes, TCSS says faculty and staff positions would not be lost in the closing of current buildings and opening of new ones.

"The process of reconfiguring grades in our intermediate and middle schools would include careful planning, so that schools would have appropriate spaces and learning environments for grades 5-6 and grades 7-8," the school system said. "Moving fifth grade out of elementary schools addresses overcrowding in elementary schools, and creates space for expanded pre-k, art and music classes, and smaller class sizes."

Once again, the district also provided a breakdown of the proposed improvements

Proposed improvements that would impact the entire district include:

• More school resource officers and building security improvements.
• Pre-K available to all students.
• Smaller class sizes.
• More electives and career tech options.
• Dual enrollment scholarships.
• Art and music classes for elementary schools.
• Increased mental health resources.
• Construction of a centrally-located performing arts venue.

The first round of proposed improvements for the TCHS Attendance Zone includes:

• New elementary school for Crestmont and Matthews students.
• New elementary school for Flatwoods students.
• Current Collins-Riverside building would close, Echols building would serve grades 5-8
• Northport Intermediate would receive a classroom addition, in order to accommodate students in grades 5-8.
• TCHS track upgrades.
• Middle school athletic facilities updates.

Impact to taxpayers?

• If the measure passes, someone who owns a home or property with a $100,000 assessed value would pay about $75 per year in additional property tax.
• Property with a $200,000 assessed value would result in owner paying about $150 per year in additional property tax.
• Property with a $300,000 assessed value would result in owner paying about $225 per year in additional property tax.
• TCSS predicts the funds generated would provide approximately $15 million each year to meet needs of TCSS schools that are not addressed by current local, state, or federal funding.

Here's a look at Tuscaloosa Patch's past in-depth coverage of the issue:

• Officials Weigh In Ahead Of Study For Northport School System (June 4, 2021)
• Takeaways From Northport City School System Feasibility Study (June 7, 2021)
• Council Eyes Next Steps In Starting Northport City School System (Dec. 9, 2021)
• Column: The Separatists & The School System (Dec. 11, 2021)
• What's At Stake As Northport Looks To Split From TCSS (Dec. 16, 2021)
• Northport Approves Facilities Study For City School System (Feb. 7, 2022)
• Northport To Consider $100K For City School System Due Diligence (March 3, 2022)
• Could Chelsea Vote Signal Future For A Northport School System? (July 25, 2022)
• County Approves Special Election For Vote On Property Tax Increase (Nov. 6, 2022)
• Competing Narratives Set Tone For TCSS Property Tax Referendum (Nov. 20, 2022)

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