Girls Gone Wild “Saga” Continues
By: Elizabeth Cate
Joe Francis a No Show for Court Proceeding
Source: WMBB News Department
Fire Near New Airport No Cause for Concern
By: Jessi Chapin
Lucky Puppy Dog Rescue Adoption Event
By: Erin Hawley
Bay Med Hosts Construction Tour
By: Allyson Walker
Florida’s Unemployment Climbs but Panhandle Boasts Some of the Lowest Rates
Source: Associated Press
Thomas Drive and Joan Avenue to be Closed for Construction
Source: City of Panama City Beach
Rates for High-Risk Accounts Going Up
Source: Associated Press
Shoppers Should Know Their Rights Before the Holidays
Source: Associated Press
H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic on Saturday at the Bay County Health Department
Source: Bay County Health Department
For Additional Headlines - go to our News Section »
- Three Bay County Hospitals Go Smoke-Free
made by gator@work - Three Bay County Hospitals Go Smoke-Free
made by retired one - Man Arrested for Catching Goliath Grouper
made by concernedcitizen - Four Arrests Made in Connection to Weight Loss Clinics
made by kfarmer - Three Bay County Hospitals Go Smoke-Free
made by gator
- Joe Francis a No Show for Court Proceeding
- Girls Gone Wild “Saga” Continues
- Update: New Details in Cocaine Case Emerge
- Woman Charged with Fatally Shooting Husband After Blaming Dog
- H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic for People 24 and Under
- Fountain Woman Charged with Husband’s Murder - First Appearance
- Cocaine Trial for Amy Cooper Continues
- 10 Worst Toys of the 2009 Holiday Season
- Tuberculosis Case at Arnold
- Mistrial Declared in Case Against Amy Cooper
Bay County, Fla:
Bay District’s School Board may take money from your wallet, as they look to increase property tax. But they’ve given money, too. The school board cut millions and they’re still faced with a $300,000 deficit.
They’ve changed little things like the reuse of notebooks, to big thing like the elimination of 118 positions. The cuts do add up but they’re still not enough.
“We do not want to hurt children, anymore than we already have done,” said Jerry Register, School Board Member.
To make up for the deficit, they want you to pay higher property taxes.
“We already got enough taxes we have to pay,” said Sherry Weisensale, Bay County resident.
“I do tell taxpayers, we’re sorry, but this is something we must do,” said Register.
Over the past two years, bay’s school district reduced the budget by $25 million. They’ve lowered salaries, they’ve cut positions, and they’ve even closed schools, like A.D. Harris that have been here for years.
“We knew we were going to have to cut, but we didn’t know that we were going to have to cut as deeply,” said Register.
At a meeting on Thursday, School Board members weighed their options. But, raising taxes may be their only solution.
“You know during this process, if we find other areas to cut, we need to do so. But in the meantime, it’s our responsibility to run a wonderful, quality school system,” said Register.
“I think anything they can do to help and improve the children’s learning and education is what we need to do,” said Dorothy Llewellyn, Bay County resident.
That’s why School Board members say, if residents want the best, the may have to deal with a worst case scenario. And that’s, higher taxes.
If the tax increase for homeowners passes, the school board would collect about $8 million.
More savings can come from not hiring back those in DROP. Once you are retired then you can’t be hired back. Let them volunteer or substitute, we certainly need more volunteers and subs. School Board members, who already have substantial income from other places can work pro-bono to enhance the schools for the children. These are just a few of the ways that can help reduce the amount of out-going funds and put it back into the classroom. Re-use textbooks for longer periods of time. If textbook supplements are needed then get them in paperback inserts much like what the AMA and all law journals have. I’m sure there are other ways as well. We as a community need to educate ourselves as to how to re-cycle and re-use items in our schools. There are a lot of us out there that can make a difference if we all try. Remember, our children are the future so we need to teach them well. All must pay not just the property owner. Renters/leasers of homes must pay also. A sales tax hits everyone.
WMBB.com requires that you be a registered site member to post comments and content.
First, we are not being sneaky and gathering your email or other information to sell to telemarketers or e-mail spam companies.
Registration on this site is required simply to allow us to keep people who would post discriminatory, threatening and harassing messages and comments from doing it again.
By having user registration, we hope to provide you with a better user experience. Please view WMBB.com's full Terms & Conditions
Thank you Ms Bird for those constructive ideas. Interestingly enough,many people have ideas that if implemented,could help in the resolution of our dilemma. Why is it the elected officials always come up with the same old song and dance. MORE TAXES…The taxpayers need to tell Mr. Register,as they vote him out the door,“Sorry,Jerry old boy,but this is something we must do”. Have a nice day!!!