By Hannah Caver Staff Writer
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Several schools in St. Clair County voted on Tuesday, November 16 to increase property tax, and vote-counters began to tally ballots after 7 p.m. when polls closed. The measures failed across most of the county, but the yeses in Moody and Pell City referendums are holding on by razor thin margins pending the opening of provisional ballots and certification next Tuesday.
Voting was from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters had to be 18 or older to vote on the ad valorem tax in St. Clair County. The unofficial vote as of Tuesday, November 16 at 10:37 p.m., Moody with 6 of out 7 precincts (88.89%) for proposed taxation 923 and against proposed tax 920, Springville with 6 out of 7 precincts (85.71%) for proposed taxation 808 and against proposed tax 849, Pell City with 11 of out 12 precincts (91.67%) for proposed taxation 1,469 and against proposed tax 1,448, Odenville with 6 of out 7 precincts (85.71%) for proposed taxation 695 and against proposed tax 761, Ragland with 5 of out 6 precincts (83.33%) for proposed taxation 116 and against proposed tax 285, and Ashville with 12 of out 13 precincts (92.31%) for proposed taxation 223 and against proposed tax 988.
In Moody, the tax referendum passed by three votes but eight provisional ballots will determine the final outcome. Those provisional ballots will be opened during the certification process next Tuesday.
Springville voters at First United Methodists Church, the largest precinct, favored the referendum by 47 votes, but the measure ultimately failed by 41 votes due to those voting against in outlying precincts.
The votes for the St. Clair County Ad Valorem tax came down to do the wire, with the final precincts rolling in their unofficial votes late into Tuesday night. The final results will not be confirmed until provisional votes are verified.
“This is would be a momentous occasion for our school system because we would be able to now partner with the communities to build, renovate and expand our current facilities and meet the needs of our students and the increasing population that we have,” St. Clair County Superintendent Mike Howard said.
A new state law passed in 2020 allows voters in individual school feeder districts in St. Clair County to raise their own property taxes to be used strictly on their schools. Several schools asked voters on Tuesday, November 16, to increase property taxes for much-needed capital projects in their neighborhood schools. The local projects range from classroom additions to new schools for Moody High School, Springville Middle School, and Margaret Elementary in the Tribune coverage area, as well as other schools in St. Clair County.
All funds generated by the property tax will be placed into a separate capital projects account. The St. Clair County Board of Education (SCCBOE) budget will be presented at every month’s board meeting (public records that can be accessed at any time). The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) provides funds for teachers, PD, library, and technology based on the number of students. It is illegal not to use these funds as directed by the ALSDE. In addition, the SCCBOE will continue to provide funds for the continual maintenance of buildings such as roofs, technology resources, and paving.
St. Clair County Schools rank 130 of 138 in spending per pupil which includes state, federal, and local funding. Local funding (property tax) is $9,826,127 and spending per pupil is $8,567.
“What we do now if the ad valorem doesn’t pass is we go back to the table, we meet with community leaders to determine how we can best partner moving forward with the communities to provide more opportunities for our students,” St. Clair County Superintendent Mike Howard said. “If we can’t, if our population continues to rise, and we’re not able to expand then the only option, we’ll bring in mobile classroom trailers in order to have enough classroom space for students.”
The schools going to vote on property tax increase are Ragland (5 millage increase), Moody (15 millage increase), Odenville (12 millage increase), Springville (15 millage increase), Ashville (5 millage increase), and Margaret (12 millage increase).
MOODY
Limited space and classrooms are available at both Moody Junior High School (MJHS) and Moody High School (MHS). The current population of MJHS is nearing 400, and MHS is over 700. Both buildings are beyond the expected capacity for when they were built—expanding the pre-K program at Moody Elementary School (MES). There are currently six Pre-K classes that have tripled in the last five years.
SPRINGVILLE
Limited space and classrooms are available at all schools: Springville Elementary School (SES), Springville Middle School (SMS), Springville High School (SHS). The current population of SES is nearing 1000, and SMS is nearing 650. SHS is nearing 800. SES is beyond the expected capacity for when they were built. Springville Schools have outgrown the current athletic facilities. They would need facilities that accommodate 6A competition.
MARGARET
Margaret Elementary School (MaES) is at maximum capacity due to increased student enrollment growth. An additional wing of classrooms is needed at MaES. Limited space and classrooms are available at MaES, and it is beyond the expected capacity for when it was built. MaES has every classroom filled and one portable building. There are no vacant classrooms, and their enrollment increased over 80 students this school year. Their pre-k waiting list was longer than any other list in the county. MaES could add an additional Pre-K classroom if they had the new wing.
It’s estimated that over 30 percent of the fifth-graders from Margaret Elementary School will attend sixth grade at Springville Middle School.
The story will be updated when more information becomes available.