No More Nickel Tax

Raising Taxes without raising the bar?

user — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:11:00 +0500

The Hardin County School Board (HCSB) has raised taxes through two nickel levies to get us for $5 million YEARLY, in violation of KRS. 157.621.

Can these out of control board members and administrators be trusted to comply with their mission statement and the promises in the HCS Visitors Guide? Can we trust them with our money?

In summary, let me explain actions of the HCSB over the last several months, because problems cannot be solved until the people become aware of them.

The HCSB voted the levy the second growth nickel in 2006, generating approx. $2.4 million dollars in additional taxes. This was in violation of KRS 157.621, which states the district must have more student enrollment than available classroom space. In 2006, HCS had over 2200 spaces available for new students. So basically, they are raising taxes for unneeded reasons. This trend continues.

In December of 2008, the HCSB vote to levy the third growth nickel to generate $2.6 million in additional taxes, again, in violation of the law. At this time, HCS had 2890 spaces available for new students, 956 for elementary. Based on the past 19 years of growth, that vacancy will cover the next 38 years.

But, the $2.4 million and $2.6 million is not the biggest issue we have. The HCSB wants to put county in $125,000,000 worth of debt for something we have too much of already. I can’t explain it any easier than we have 3640 vacant spaces in Hardin County Schools, which is 22%. The budget for the HCS 08-09 school year was $120,000,000.00 and 22% of that (vacancies) is $26,400,000.00.

In the August 27, 2009 Hardin County Independent, Board Chairperson Kay Sharon explained, “We’re taking the maximum allowable increase,” of 4% in additional revenue. The proposed rate increase will generate almost 9% increase.

That is not surprising considering the Heartland Elementary School was projected to cost $8,414,208 and they actually spent $17,113,068, which is 2X their estimated cost. Apparently, math isn’t the one of the board’s strongest subjects.

Superintendent Nannette Johnston said in the News Enterprise on December 28, 2008 that she and the board agreed it was not a good time to raise taxes, but she strongly supports it, pointing out, the district has $75 million worth of projects needed to be done. In other words, they need that $2.6 million in order to borrow the $75 million for:

Central Office Annex Facility                       $4,231,500.00
Central Bus Garage                                      $1,800,000.00
Aquatic Center                                              $2,560,000.00
Renovate Brown Street                                 $3,215,000.00
177 Interactive Smart Boards                      $1,150,500.00
Lincoln Trail Media Center                           $993,885.00
Central Hardin Administrative Suite           $740,694.00

and the list goes on to complete the $75 million.

Mrs. Johnston, in the August 27, 2009 Hardin County Independent, in an August 20^th memo to the board stated, “The projected assessment of real property values for the year are projected at about 5.4 million dollars, an increase of $1.2 million from the last years assessment. After doing my own research at the Hardin County PVA, I found the 2009 real property assessment is $4.451 BILLION –a difference of $4.446 BILLION from Johnston’s statement. The 2009 assessment of $4,451,896,255 is $134,237,588 increase over the adjusted assessment value for 2008.

Why would she give the community such false information? Simple math is something I would expect from all board members and administrators.

As you can see, there are major problems with our local school board, which are affecting each tax payer in Hardin County directly.

We must give them an opportunity to debate the above mentioned issues or they should submit their resignations, or perhaps they should be recalled.

The School Board is meeting to raise taxes AGAIN, on September 8^th, 2009 at 5 pm at the Hardin County School Board’s room. Please join me in attending this meeting and standing up to the board to protect the income of our family, our children, and their children against unnecessary spending.

If the School Board continues to act according to their past history, we may need to file a federal suit against them to protect ourselves from our own school board and administrators.

When is enough, enough? Stand together to protect what is right.

Feel free to email me your concerns, or post your comments on my website’s blog at www.un-needednickel.com. Everyone I hear from will be kept up to date on this issue.

Joe G. Janes
Hardin County, KY
270-268-3191
joegjanes@yahoo.com
www.un-needednickel.com

To build schools, with no students to fill them? Pay attention to what you're paying for...

user — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:35:00 +0500

I attended the Hardin County School Board meeting on August 20th, 2009 and received a pamphlet titled,” Hardin County School Board Visitors Guide."

When I opened it, I saw listed the 'Duties of the Board of Education'.

I was not surprised that #1 on the list was, "Establish schools, acquire sites and erect buildings."

We presently have 2890 spaces available for new students in Hardin County, 956 of those are elementary. The new Radcliff Middle School has a capacity of 750 students for a total of 3640 available spaces for students. So why do we need more?

In the Dec. 28,2008 News Enterprise, Superintendent Nannette Johnston stated the district had $75 million worth of projects to be done. I researched this topic more and requested the 2008 facilities plan.

New Elementary School for Radcliff (600 Students) $13,245,804.00

New Elementary School for Howevalley, Cecilia $13,245,804.00

(to relieve 'overcrowding' from BRAC)

Meadowview Elementary School, Cafeteria $544,595.00

Central Bus Garage $1,800,000.00

New Central Office Annex Facility $4,231,500.00

Aquatic Center $2,560,000.00

Administrative Suite at NHHS $740,694.00

East Hardin Middle School, (facade and HVAC) $755,000.00

And this list goes on and on to complete the $75 million dollars of projects that the taxpayers of Hardin County are funding.

Now the Hardin County School Board wants ANOTHER 4% increase in property tax.

In the Visitor's Guide from the Hardin County School Board, it states as one of the board's duties, "Thus, the board represents the public to the schools and the schools to the public."

How is the Hardin County School Board representing you as a taxpayer of Hardin County? I know that they are not representing me in their actions of the 2008 Nickel Tax and the 4% increase in property taxes.

I urge everyone to become more involved in this issue, and to join us at the Hardin County School Board hearing on Sept. 8th, 5pm at the Hardin County Schools Board Room.

The Board states in their pamphlet that ,"Problems will not be solved until the people are aware of them." This is one statement that I can agree with.

Become involved in this issue and contact Joe Janes at 270-268-3191, joegjanes@yahoo.com or: WWW.UN-NEEDEDNICKEL.COM

Next week I'll be discussing more details of the Hardin County School Board that most taxpayers are unaware of. Make sure you grab your Hardin County Independent and help solve the problems of Hardin County, one week at a time.

Joe G. Janes

Elizabethtown, KY

All referenced information can be found on our website, www.un-needednickel.com