“Why We Support the Valdosta City School System in Opposing

Consolidation”Community Forum

Lowndes County SchoolsWorking Together for Excellence Every Day

Financial Impact of Consolidation

Dr. Troy Davis, Assistant SuperintendentLowndes County Schools

Lowndes County SchoolsWorking Together for Excellence Every Day

ConsolidationA Financial Puzzle

The following information reflects the current and consolidated local revenue for the

Lowndes County School System and the Valdosta City School System.

Lowndes County Schools

Lowndes Millage Rate 14.70 mills

Lowndes per Mill Value $1,404,831.00

Lowndes Local Revenue $20,651,018.00

Valdosta City Schools

Valdosta City Millage Rate 16.98 mills

Valdosta City per Mill Value $1,476,538.00

Valdosta City Total Local Revenue $25,071,615.00

$45,722,633.00

Total Local Revenue

Both Systems

Lowndes County Schools (To stay as currently funded with consolidation)

Consolidated Millage Rate 16.317 mills

Consolidated per Mill Value $2,802,088.00

Consolidated Local Revenue $45,722,633.00

Community Unification for Educational Excellence, Inc. (CUEE) - http://www.cueeinc.com/

What is the request financially?

Using CUEE information to find the answer…..

In a consolidated system, CUEE is stating that balance will be achieved at the cost of $2,167.00 more per Valdosta City School System student. Total Cost Annually - $16,083,474.00.

Answer to CUEE’s Question:

Using the Community Unification for Educational Excellence, Inc. (CUEE) consolidated projections, one cost required would be $16,083,474.00 or 5.74 additional mills to remain at the same level of expenditures per student for the consolidated Lowndes County School System.

To meet the requirements of CUEE, the consolidated millage rate would be 22.07 mills. State law restricts the maximum millage at 21 mills.

The MAXIMUM tax rate of 21 Mills will be insufficient to meet the first financial item on the CUEE list.

CONSOLIDATED TAX DATA (Tax to meet the demands of CONSOLIDATION)

Millage Rate 21.00 millsMill Value $2,802,088.00Total Local Revenue $58,843,848.00

Setting a millage rate of less than 21 mills will result in further loss of

programs benefitting our students. There will be winners and losers.

There are other costs associated with consolidation as identified by CUEE.

•New high school and new elementary schools - In excess of $200 million•Recommended additional professional development - $1.5 million annually

There are other costs associated with consolidation not anticipated by CUEE.

Consolidation will increase costs

TECHNOLOGY

NEW CLASSESTRANSPORTATION

BENEFITS

SALARIES

SOFTWARE

PER PUPIL EXPENDITURES

LEGAL

Consolidation will decrease:

STATE QBE FUNDING

EQUALIZATION FUNDINGFEDERAL FUNDING

ADMINISTRATORSNEW SCHOOLS

TEACHERS

SALARIES SUPPORT STAFF

Who is affected, and how would consolidation affect my personal

finances?

•Home Owner•Property Owner•Renter•Business Owner•Citizen•Children

Lowndes County School Tax –

Taxable Value = $89,972.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .01470

Current School Tax $1,322.59

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL TAX

Taxable Value = $89,972.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .02100

Current School Tax $1,889.41

Property Owner Tax Difference

Lowndes County School Tax

Taxable Value = $89,972.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .01470

Current School Tax $1,322.59

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL TAX

Taxable Value = $89,972.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .02100

Current School Tax $1,889.41

TAX INCREASE

$1,889.41 - $1,322.59 = $566.82

42%

Valdosta City School Tax

Taxable Value = $106,721.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .01698

Current School Tax $1,812.12

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL TAX

Taxable Value = $106,721.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .02100

Current School Tax $2,241.14

Property Owner Tax Difference

Valdosta City School Tax

Taxable Value = $106,721.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .01698

Current School Tax $1,812.12

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL TAX

Taxable Value = $106,721.00

Multiply by Mill Rate X .02100

Current School Tax $2,241.14

TAX INCREASE

$2,241.14 - $1,812.12 = $429.02

23%

One important key to consolidation is the demand and need for more money. Consolidation will cost more, and we as taxpayers will be expected to pay the bill.

Lowndes County SchoolsWorking Together for Excellence Every Day