Almost 30 years ago when we were transferred to Atlanta, we chose to buy a home and raise our children in Cobb County in large part because of the reputation of the school system. I’m sure many of you did the same. I also came to learn that the county had a reputation for fiscal responsibility, so that it enjoyed a triple-A bond rating for its debt obligations. I have always felt I was getting my tax money’s worth, especially in comparison to the high-tax state from which we had come.
Our kids are now gone and are prospering, in part, because of the elementary and high school educations they received.
My job is over, but the next generation of parents is now trying to educate their kids in a difficult economy and at a time when the only way to a rewarding career and any security is a good education.
It is with this in mind that I address a growing concern over the shortfall in tax revenue the Cobb school system has faced for the passed several years, necessitating budget cuts and the resulting teacher furloughs, layoffs and increased class sizes. This is no way to attract and retain talented people to the teaching profession and no way to ensure the course development to prepare students for future jobs. In addition, the problem will only grow as the number of senior citizens is ever increasing. Thus, after some careful thought, I am going to argue against my own financial self-interest and suggest a change in the school tax forgiveness arrangement now in place for those over 62 years of age.
I don’t think it would be necessary to altogether do away with this tax break for seniors, but I believe it could be modified to temporarily raise money to carry the County school system over these difficult years until more normal economic times bring in greater revenues.
Consider the following possibilities:
One would be to simply raise the qualifying age. A nearby county sets the school tax forgiveness qualifying age at 70.
Another way would be to gauge the senior school tax obligation on a percentage basis tied to the revenue shortfall in any given year; thus in years in which the tax revenues meet the needs of the school system, 100 percent of the tax could be forgiven, in lean years a lesser corresponding amount.
As it turns out, now may be an opportune time to consider this change which will affect the incomes of our seniors. The state income tax will be lower in future years because the personal exemption will go up and the ad valorem tax on vehicles is being eliminated.
Dan O’Sullivan
Marietta
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I hoped when we elected some new board members that we would get someone who would apply fiscal restraint and tight management...but instead we seem to have gotten MORE OF THE SAME OLE JUNK.
BTW, Mr. O'Sullivan, by all means donate all the money you want to the Cobb County School System...but just remember, you don't speak for any one else in Cobb County...you only speak for yourself.
I personally do not think we need to abolish this tax exemption that is only offered in 3 counties of Georgia in this great USA. However, I think it needs to be REVISED! Hear me out, if you did not send at least one of your children for 13 years in a CC public school, then you WILL NOT qualify for this tax exemption. I am sure that 50% of the seniors that have flocked to one of the 3 counties will now just stay where they lived before. I will remind everyone, that one of the Georgia State Reps just bought a house CC as he nears toward his retirement, need I say why.
@ the parents that opted for private schools. Good for you(pun intended)! I wish we all had that luxury in this economy to have our children get a private school education and not have to worry about CCSB and its' wasteful money spending!
When faced with budget cuts, any gov't agency attempts to do what is the easiest. In this instance you are advocating to cut the exemption for 62 yr olds & that would appear to be a quick, easy cut. I firmly believe that many 62 & older Cobb citizens would agree to raise the exemption age, if cuts in mid level & upper level positions within the CCSD had been taken already. THEY HAVE NOT!!!
Instead there have been furlough days, teach cuts thus increasing class sizes and a new superintendent hired at a higher salary than the previous one. Yeah, these are easy also.
Finally, as pointed out in a previous comment, the ONLY way to obtain the exemption once you turn 62 in Cobb is to apply. It is not automatically applied to your propety tax bill.
So Mr. O'Sullivan if you have already APPLIED and received the tax exemption and the Cobb Tax Assessor's office will not let you remove it, then figure out what you are saving and donate that to the CCSD today.
As a life long Cobb resident, who attended CCSD schools all 12 yrs, whose Father attended CCSD schools all 12 yrs, whose children attended CCSD schools all 12 yrs, and I come from a family of teachers, until the CCSD Board and superintendent actually make the responsible cuts, then I will expect my exemption when I get there.
"We don't get much (except debt), and we're used to paying a lot."
That said, this is the same group of folks who I see at most Town Hall Meetings who are opposed to most everything that has to do with taxes, yet they pay 2/3 less than most everyone else in the county. That does not stop them from complaining though.
I doubt it will come to anything but you deserve credit for bringing it forward.
We grew up in a different environment and learned to manage our homes and our money wisely. We understand frugality and have practical financial sense.
We do not abide frivolous or unnecessary actions or functions by government or school boards.
Most of us are not in debt as deeply as the younger folks. Our ability to manage our funds is better because there was less luxury to go after.
--and in our declining years, when the misfortune of our recession clamps down on you , you reach out and say, hey let's get what we need from the old folks.
Let's call it Occupy Seniors.
By the way, there is nothing that stops you from not accepting the over 62 benefit. If you already signed up for it, I am sure that the tax assessor's office would be glad to let you cancel your tax relaxation.
I understand your concern to maintain Cobb County's quality of education. I also, from personal experience , believe we have a staff of teachers that are second to none. I have had the opportunity to see many of them in action.
The last thing we should do is reduce teaching staff. During the "boom" years, staff positions were created, as rewards, that, in my opinion, were not needed and are only there because of prior years' budgets.
Dan, even though you are a senior, I must tell you from living in other cities and other states that going after the senior exemption is a fairly common idea. And not a fair one.
I think Cobb County should be suing the federal government for the monies it takes, at $8,000 per student, to support undocumented students in Cobb Schools. It is estimated to be in excess of 14,000 students. At an average of $10,000 per student it adds up to $112,000,000.
I realize because of Plyler/Doe decision that we must school the additional children who are not here legally, but since it is by government (federal) decision, this alleged $54 million shortage is at their decision and Cobb should be recompensed..
I find it decidedly unfair to attempt to eliminate a senior exemption for the American elder citizens in Cobb when a major part of the problem was forced upon all citizens by the Supreme Court. Additionally, if the native country of those here illegally can be identified, that country should receive a bill for the cost of educating their citizens.
Finally, I am in an almost steady state of shock at the very amateurish efforts of the school board. I believe our country is in dire straits economically and installing year round artificial turf may be a long term financially sound decision, but not under our current financial circumstances.
Education is what it's about and America has proven that we can accomplish that in a log cabin without electricity, if necessary.
The DOT could have saved tax payers millions by omitting installation of large medians with grass( no one cuts) , brick sidewalks ,and stone walls that literally block businesses from view. That money woul have been better spent on improving our existing roads.
Now for our school system budget cuts...while I support arts, in this economy it is foolish to spend tax payer money on Marietta High performing arts complex and on the Harrison Middle school addition. We need our teachers!
Probably, but only as a last resort.
As other posters in this forum have suggested there are numerous ways to reduce the school budget and address the shortfall before you start considering tax increases.
Demonstrate that these other solutions have been fully considered and implemented and then I am sure that many seniors will be willing to participate in an equitable way.
Imagine the gang and crime problem after that, and you might see why it is good policy to educated everyone, and far cheaper and more moral than the alternative you suggest.
Make no mistake, if your recommendations were magically implemented tomorrow, in ten years you'd have a HUGE gang and crime problem, like something out of a sci fi dystopia.
Those with the responsibility for governing understand this, and accept it as a real consequence that would really happen. You do not see this, but it is true all the same.
1) Middle management positions that can be eliminated. In any company crisis, these are the positions that we can live without. If the job title has the word "assistant" in it...
2) People who are getting tax exemptions need to be validated. If there are school-age children living in their house (or the address is being used to allow kids to attend Cobb schools) then school tax needs to be paid. Also, if a senior happens to own multiple properties the exemption should only apply to ONE property.
But, let's remember that the tax break is not mandatory, you have to file for it. So all you out there that support this thinking, don't file for the exemption...
As soon as I see some responsible fiscal management at the CCSB I will voluntarily give up my senior exemption.
As it stand right now I am glad I am not contributing my tax dollars to this fiasco.