LOUISA, Ky. — Lawrence County, Ky. Schools Chief Dr. Rob Fletcher and board members Heath Preston, Jim See, Garnett Skaggs, Maddlene Roberts, and Barbara Robinson have asked through committee for a 0.10 tax increase to fund an estimated $27 million building project for schools.
Fletcher has already conducted one public forum where no person outside the school system attended, which, shows support for the new tax and no need for a vote by the public, the law says. But the law also says taxes cannot be raised by more than 4% in any one year without a vote of the public.
The application for the new building project has been sent to the state dept. of Education for approval which is expected soon
The Lazer staff asked Fletcher if the additional school tax has to be voted on like we have in the past.
Here is what he replied:
“…You are correct. There can be no tax raise above 4% without allowing the community the opportunity to recall. {but} Any additional nickel is subject to recall if there is a petition with enough signatures. If they have enough signatures, then it would go to a vote. If they do not have enough signatures, then the additional amount would go on the next tax bill.
Currently, we have the lowest tax rate in the 15th region and one of the lower tax rates in the state. In short, there would have to be a petition before it could go to the community for a vote.”
Has someone started a petition yet? Where do I sign?
Said it once and I’ll say it again. They held the first meeting for a reason. Corrupt as heck. Where are you at Gene Wilson? We need you again?
Sign me up also this guy has some marbles
The ppl of the county should get to vote on this before they just take money from everyone’s pockets! Where do I sign?
Add one more to it, I’ll sign it
Nope, we don’t get a vote. They can add it without a vote. Inflation is killing us and he wants to raise property taxes. Joke! He does not care about the people of this town.
Raising taxes but won’t give a raise to his teachers and staff. Disgraceful!
You can’t even maintain the school you have now. You know how many stories I hear about roaches and bed bugs?!? Plus you just got a crap ton of money from the governor…. Where did it go? I am completely down to sign a petition. I personally think you are a terrible educator a terrible superintendent. I know personally you could care less about these kids problems or what issues they might be facing. I feel like the parents who have a problem with you need to have a meeting. And if anybody is really truly interested in doing something about this or him let me know…..
The legislator allocated money to the districts to provide teacher/staff raises which is why they would not pass a mandated raise for educators. Our district gave 1.5% raise which doesn’t even amount to a tank of gas. Inflation is at a 40 year high, rose 9% this year. Do the math.
Where’s the petition? Enough is enough.
I was not at the public meeting due to work. The tax should go for a vote. I disagree 100% with the plan of stopping 7th & 8th at Blaine, Fallsburg, etc. This school board been pushing for this for years. Such a disappointment.
If they would have agreed on the nickel before, this dime would not have been an option. As for Gene, he’s old and dried up
Fletcher has to go….period.
Is holding a meeting without a date/time being announced really a legitimate meeting? I’m guessing it was held at 10:30am on a Tuesday morning in the teacher’s lounge at Blaine.
They didn’t say it was about not voting on a tax. It was called a planning meeting. Corrupt as he!!.
Pretty disgraceful for someone who makes over 100,000 a year. Try making 12-15 an hour or even a low fixed income Mr Fletcher. You have some gall to ask that of the poor people of this county. Shame on you. Are we paying your gas bill? Supplying you with a cell phone? What other perks do you have? No one pays any of my bills and I promise you I will fight for every penny I have. You want a petition? I am sure you will get it.
Y’all need to go down to those schools yourself and see the state of them. They’re all practically falling apart (besides the highschool and middle school). Consolidating 7th and 8th grade into one county-wide school is the best option for the kids. Kids out in the counties would have better opportunities when it comes to sports, and an easier time integrating with their city classmates before high school.
Regardless, LC needs to get its act together and set their priorities straight. No one likes higher taxes, but we can’t eat our cake and have it too. If taxes aren’t raised, these schools will continue to fall apart (especially the West Elementary), and our children will continue to transfer out of our county and never return.
How did they build the existing schools??? They never had such a tax before.
My final thought. As I said before, the high school, middle school were built by not adding an ADDITIONAL TAX. Adding another tax to build something in the school system is not right for Lawrence County. We are a poor county like it or not. I was born and raised here and have lived my whole life here. I have also managed large amounts of money throughout my career. Adding an additional school tax which will never be removed is not managing the money you have. It is the easy way out. It shows mismanagement. You need to spend what you have and are allocated more wisely.
The kids coming from WV who is going to pay there dime dime tax to Lawrence CO. ?
I’m wondering how many of the people wanting to sign the petition or those voicing their opposition actually OWN property? I know for a fact that at least one person commenting on here doesn’t even own any property which means they won’t be paying anything extra because they aren’t paying anything now!!
This is one property taxpayer who is all FOR the tax increase. Our children deserve to go to a safe and modern school.
If they are paying rent then they are paying property taxes
No they are not, IDIOT!