Log In | Become a Member

Orange School Board Will Let Voters Decide on Tax Hike

July 28, 2010 - Voters in Orange County will have an opportunity to decide whether they want to pay higher property taxes to help offset a major deficit in the school district's budget.

At their meeting Tuesday night, the Orange County School Board voted unanimously to let county residents decide on the one mill increase. The question will appear on the November ballot.
Property owners would pay an additional $100 in taxes on every $100,000 of a property’s assessed value. The board says that would raise $85 million dollars a year and they say the money is necessary to avoid staff layoffs and cutting of programs such as athletics. If approved, the new revenue will help the schools in 2011-2012 when federal stimulus money runs out.
The board also voted to levy a quarter mill property tax to support the current year’s budget. That will bring in about $22 million dollars and the tax hike will appear on homeowner’s next property tax bill if the board gives it final approval in September.

Board members also discussed the challenge of smaller class sizes mandated by an amendment in the state constitution. 
The board is considering several measures including moving personnel from non-essential areas to teach math, science and other core courses, changing to a seven period day in middle and high school and using modular classrooms if extra classes have to be added. The class size limits take effect when schools open next month.

For a presentation on the July 27, 2010 school board meeting and details on the board's proposals.Click here: https://www.ocps.net/sb/Documents/11%20Tentative%20Budget%20Presentation.pdf

 

All active news articles