Baldwin County Schools march in support of one cent sales tax

FOLEY, Ala. (WALA) - The Baldwin County community and public schools participated in a rally in support of re-instating the county's one cent sales tax hike Sunday afternoon.

The question of whether the tax will remain in place will be posed to Baldwin County residents on the Nov. 6 general election ballot as Amendment 2. The tax is set to expire in 2013.

Cameron Tucker said her daughter is in special needs classes at Foley Middle School and worries that, if the tax is not renewed, her daughter will lose the help she needs in the classroom.

“I’m concerned about class size, how many teachers will lose their jobs and how bad it will be for our kids who are trying to be active in sports, band, and all our special needs kids. Those who have to have special needs use additional services to achieve what everyone else can in the classroom,” Tucker said.

Her point was reiterated by Baldwin County superintendent Dr. Alan Lee. Lee and other school officials called the tax a "financial lifeline" earlier this year .

He said the current tax generates about $28 million dollars that goes toward the schools. Without that revenue,
Lee said administrations across Baldwin County will lose athletic and elective programs along with staff positions like teachers, counselors and nurses.

Related: School officials campaign in favor of sales tax

“Just as any household, when you take a 10 percent cut in your revenue, you’re going to have to eliminate doing things. That’s what we‘re looking at doing. We don’t want to lose any program, but we unfortunately will if it doesn’t pass,” said Lee.

Still, some don’t like the idea of renewing a tax increase that was supposed to be temporary.

“I propose they live within their means which is what every other household has had to do during this recession. I would imagine most people on social security and fixed incomes have not seen the increases they’re used to,” said Spriggs.

He said the sales tax is another opportunity to use the citizen’s money and put it towards government funded programs.