January, 2007

Raleigh News and Observer

http://www.newsobserver.com/580/story/533400.html

Raising the money

The only way to end mandatory year-round schedules is to raise more money for more schools. And this the school board cannot do. Only the county commissioners can. Years of growth denial and cutting proposed school budgets have left us with few alternatives other than a steep increase in property taxes or mandatory year-round.

"Growth paying for growth" mechanisms such as impact fees or real estate transfer taxes could make the difference. A 1 percent real estate transfer tax in Wake County would generate approximately $144 million per year. That's equivalent to about 20 cents in increased property tax, and could support a $1.44 billion school bond issue.

Only the General Assembly can grant the county the right to impose such fees. But first our county commissioners must ask for that authority. So far, the commissioners board has asked only for an additional one-cent sales tax -- to be split between schools and transportation. That would raise only $30 million a year for schools.

County commissioners need to know that the community is behind them in seeking new revenue to pay for growth. That is the only realistic way to end mandatory year round -- and the only way to keep our schools strong.

Linda McCarley
Apex