Author: Hannah Caver Special Writer

British stone. Clare County-Several schools in St. Clair County voted to increase the property tax on Tuesday, November 16, and the polling station began counting votes after voting ended at 7 pm. These measures have failed in most parts of the county, but the positive votes in the referendum by Moody's and Pell City continue with a meager advantage until the provisional voting and certification begins next Tuesday.

Voting hours are from 7 am to 7 pm, and voters must be 18 years of age or older to vote on the ad valorem tax in St. Clair County. As of Tuesday, November 16, the unofficial voting results at 10:37 pm showed that Moody's supported the proposed tax 923 and opposed the proposed tax 920 with 6 of the 7 constituencies (88.89%), and Springville was in the 7 constituencies. Of the 6 (85.71%) in support of the proposed tax 808 and against the proposed tax 849, 11 of the 12 districts in Pell (91.67%) carried the proposed tax 1,469, opposed the proposed tax 1,448, and Odenville had 7 districts in Of the 6 regions (85.71%) of the proposed tax 695 and the proposed tax 761 against the proposed tax, Ragland owns 5 of the 6 regions (83.33%) of the proposed tax 116 and the proposed tax 285, and Asheville owns 12 of the 13 regions. (92.31%) of the proposed tax 223 and the proposed tax 988.

At Moody's, the tax referendum was passed by three votes, but a provisional vote of eight votes will determine the final result. These provisional ballots will begin in the certification process next Tuesday.

The voters of Springville at the First United Methodist Church in the largest constituency voted in favor of the referendum with 47 votes, but the measure ultimately failed with 41 votes due to votes against the remote constituency.

The vote on the ad valorem tax in St. Clair County was finally implemented, and the informal vote in the final constituency lasted until late Tuesday night. The final result will not be confirmed until the provisional vote is verified.

"This will be an important moment for our school system because we will now be able to work with the community to build, renovate and expand our existing facilities and meet the needs of our students and our growing population," St . Clare County Superintendent Mike Howard said. 

A new state law passed in 2020 allows voters in individual school branch areas in St. Clair County to increase their property taxes to be strictly applied to their schools. On Tuesday, November 16, several schools asked voters to increase property taxes on capital projects that were urgently needed by nearby schools. Local projects include adding classrooms and new schools to Moody's High School, Springville Middle School, and Margaret Elementary School in the Tribune coverage area, as well as other schools in St. Clair County.

All funds generated by the property tax will be deposited into a separate capital account account. The St. Clair County Board of Education (SCCBOE) budget will be presented at the monthly board meeting (public record accessible at any time). The Alabama Department of Education (ALSDE) funds teachers, PDs, libraries, and technology based on the number of students. It is illegal to use these funds not in accordance with ALSDE's instructions. In addition, SCCBOE will continue to provide funding for the ongoing maintenance of buildings such as roofs, technical resources and paving.

St. Clair County schools rank 130 out of 138 in expenditure per student (including state, federal, and local funds). The local funding (property tax) is US$9,826,127, and the expenditure per student is US$8,567.

"If the ad valorem law is not passed, what we have to do now is to go back to the negotiating table and we meet with community leaders to determine how we can best work with the community and provide more opportunities for our students," Saint Clair Said County Sheriff Mike Howard. "If we can't, if our population continues to increase, and we can't scale up, then the only option is to introduce mobile classroom trailers to provide enough classroom space for students."

The schools that will vote to increase property tax are Ragland (increased by 5 millage), Moody (increased by 15 millage), Odenville (increased by 12 millage), Springville (increased by 15 millage), Ashville (increased by 5 millage), and Margaret (increased by 12 millage). ).

Both Moody's Junior High School (MJHS) and Moody's High School (MHS) have limited space and classrooms. The current population of MJHS is close to 400, and MHS exceeds 700. Both buildings exceeded the expected capacity at the time of construction—expanding the pre-kindergarten program of Moody’s Elementary School (MES). There are currently six Pre-K classes that have tripled in the past five years.

All schools provide limited space and classrooms: Springville Elementary School (SES), Springville Middle School (SMS), Springville High School (SHS). The current population of SES is close to 1,000 and SMS is close to 650. SHS is close to 800. SES exceeded their expected capacity at the time of construction. The Springvale School has gone beyond the current sports facilities. They need facilities that can accommodate 6A games.

Due to the increase in student enrollment, Margaret Elementary School (MaES) has reached its maximum capacity. MaES requires additional classrooms. MaES has limited available space and classrooms, which exceeded the expected capacity when it was built. MaES has every classroom and a portable building. There are no vacant classrooms, and more than 80 students have been added this school year. Their preschool waiting list is longer than any other list in the county. If MaES has a new wing, they can add an additional Pre-K classroom.

It is estimated that more than 30% of fifth grade students at Margaret Elementary School will be in the sixth grade at Springville Middle School.

The story will be updated when more information becomes available. 

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