Schools Request Takes A Slow Walk to Ballot

The path of projects involving the County Commission and the Board of Education is proving to be a slow walk. 

The commission has capped funding for schools. In order to maintain a system of seven schools, six elementary schools and one high school, will be a losing battle for the board of education.  Members of the commission have asserted that consolidation of the elementary schools could prove to be a salutation.  In order to generate ample funding for the schools to operate, an increase to the local portion of the sales tax would be needed.  The other would be to use the mechanism to generate the money for school repair and construction, the wheel tax on vehicles registered in the county.

The Board of Education voted to ask the commission to add both issues to the November ballot for consideration by the citizens of Cannon County. The issue was on the agenda in July and the commission sent the question back to the board of education for clarification. The questions returned to the agenda of the commission for August meeting.  The commission approved adding the sales tax increase to the ballot.  The wheel tax question was delayed.  Commissioner Russell Reed asked for an amount for the construction. The Cannon County Board of Education will meet this week and the agenda has been modified to bring answer back to the commission.

The Commission recessed their monthly meeting until August 17th and plan to take up the question again.  The commission has a limited number of days before the window closes on adding items to the November ballot.