By Hannah Curran, Editor
SPRINGVILLE — Springville and Odenville voted on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to increase property tax, and vote counters began to tally ballots after 7 p.m. when polls closed. The measures passed in Springville but failed in Odenville.
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 for Springville, with 6 out of 7 precincts (85.71%) for proposed taxation 2,508, and against proposed tax 2,425. Odenville with 6 out of 7 precincts (85.71%) for proposed taxation 1,768 and against proposed tax 2,269.
“I’m truly humbled by the voter turnout FOR our schools in the Springville School District,” St. Clair County Schools Superintendent Justin Burns stated. “It’s a huge win for our kids. We will make the community proud with their decision. For my Odenville friends, do not lose heart! We will continue to serve and love all of our kids. We represent the For voters and the Against voters. We have to find a way to address our growing communities in a feasible way. Again thank you for trusting me as your superintendent, and I look forward to many years of service in my hometown.”
The Springville community voted to pass a 15-millage vote. This would go strictly towards a new Springville Middle School.
In October 2021, the population at Springville Elementary School (SES) was nearing 1,000, and Springville Middle School (SMS) was nearing 650. Springville High School (SHS) was nearing 800. SES is now beyond the expected capacity for which it was built.
The ad valorem tax this year would not offer the turfed football field or performing arts center. Instead, it would solely focus on building a new middle school that would house the seventh and eighth-graders.
Springville Middle School Principal James Talton explained that all three schools have a great need with overcrowding and running out of space.
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The seventh and eighth-grade building was built in the 70s for a 2A size school, but the school has grown to 5A with around 200 students per grade level.
The Odenville community ultimately voted against the 10-millage increase, which would have gone towards a new cafeteria for Odenville Intermediate School (OIS) and Odenville Middle School (OMS) to use. Margaret Elementary School (MES) feeds to both Odenville and Springville Schools and is also overcrowded. If the tax had passed in Odenville, MES would have received a 25-classroom addition.
There are 137 publicly funded school systems in the state of Alabama, and Burns said St. Clair County Schools is ranked 128 in funding for students.
Anytime you have a millage or ad valorem, it has to go to things with a life of approximately 30 years or longer.
Related Story: Springville & Odenville could vote on new ad valorem tax for schools
Moody passed their ad valorem tax on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, and citizens are already seeing the benefits of the vote taking shape in Moody.