Winder, Ga. (AP) – Georgia School District officials killed four people in a shooting in September Appalachie High School We are considering raising property taxes to pay school-based police officers.
Barrow County Principal Dallas Redoff told school board members Tuesday that tax increases were necessary as the county government informed the district that it would no longer pay sheriff’s deputies, local news agency reported.
The school district and the Barrow County Commission have split the prices of agents assigned to school resource officers since 2017. The number was originally 12 years old, and rose to 16 in 2024, and to 24 after filming. It would have at least two officers at district high schools and at least one officer at all other schools, but the authorities have yet to hire 24 representatives.
County commissioners wrote to Leduff last month, saying that the county government has only paid 12 salaries so far and will ultimately stop paying costs.
“What they want to happen is that they are responsible for funding 100% of the direct and indirect costs to all of us 24 officers as a school system.
The director said the district will cover what executives spend and call it “unnegotiable.” That’s the district Under intense local pressure Since the shooting to improve security, we agree to install weapon detectors at high schools and middle schools this year, months after community protests.
“In particular, in light of September 4th, I am deeply interested in the committee’s fundamental concept that more than 2,000 Barrow County School System employees and more than 15,000 Barrow County students are not even included in the definition of public safety,” said Kayla Hendricks, a member of the Barrow County Board of Education. “We probably need to ask the county commissioner who qualifies under the definition of public safety.”
Officials said they believe that prompt responses by Appalachie officials will hinder more casualties. The shooting on September 4th was killed Teachers Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall (39) and 53-year-old Christina Illimy, 14. Another teacher and eight more students were injured, seven of whom were shot. Colt Grayand later, the 14-year-old freshman was charged as an adult with murder and other crimes.
In a letter, the Barrow County Commissioner wrote that voters have approved a plan to exempt some seniors from paying school property taxes, and therefore the county believes it would be inappropriate to use property taxes collected for the county government to subsidize school costs.
“It is essential for the Barrow County government to ensure that county general fund dollars that do not have a senior exemption will not be dedicated to areas funded by school taxes and associated millage taxes,” said Brian Stewart, the county spokesman.
Paying for next year’s expenses will cost the district over $1 million. The district’s proposed property tax hike costs the owner of the property, which amounts to about $20 a year.
The issue could arise at the county board meeting next week. William Phillip said he plans to go to the meeting to protest the decision.
“This is a serious problem. It has to do with the safety of our children,” Philip said. “Bad politics. A scary politics. Many parents can’t wait to go to a commissioner meeting.”
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