Lowndes County Schools Forum Supporting Valdosta City Schools System's Opposition to Consolidation

1. “Why We Support the Valdosta City School System in Opposing Consolidation”Community Forum Lowndes County SchoolsWorking Together for Excellence Every Day

2. Financial Impactof ConsolidationDr. Troy Davis, Assistant SuperintendentLowndes County Schools Lowndes County SchoolsWorking Together for Excellence Every Day

3. ConsolidationA Financial Puzzle

4. The following information reflects the current and consolidated local revenue for the Lowndes County School System and the Valdosta City School System.

5. Lowndes County Schools Lowndes Millage Rate 14.70 mills Lowndes per Mill Value $1,404,831.00 Lowndes Local Revenue $20,651,018.00

6. 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

7. Total Local Revenue Both Systems $45,722,633.00

8. 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

9. Community Unification for Educational Excellence, Inc. (CUEE) - http://www.cueeinc.com/ What is the request financially? Using CUEE informationto find the answer…..

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

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

15. CONSOLIDATED TAX DATA (Tax to meet the demands of CONSOLIDATION) Millage Rate 21.00 mills Mill Value $2,802,088.00 Total Local Revenue $58,843,848.00

16. 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.

19. Consolidation will increase costs NEW CLASSES TRANSPORTATION SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS SALARIES LEGAL PER PUPIL EXPENDITURES

20. Consolidation will decrease: EQUALIZATION FUNDING FEDERAL FUNDING STATE QBE FUNDING TEACHERS ADMINISTRATORS NEW SCHOOLS SUPPORT STAFF SALARIES

22. Property Owner

23. Renter

24. Business Owner

25. Citizen

27. CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL TAX Taxable Value = $89,972.00 Multiply by Mill Rate X .02100 Current School Tax $1,889.41

28. 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%

29. Valdosta City School Tax Taxable Value = $106,721.00 Multiply by Mill Rate X .01698 Current School Tax $1,812.12

30. CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL TAX Taxable Value = $106,721.00 Multiply by Mill Rate X .02100 Current School Tax $2,241.14

31. 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%

32. 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.

33. Lowndes County SchoolsWorking Together for Excellence Every Day