Pell City Schools give inside look at problems a proposed tax referendum would fix

Pell city schools are asking residents in the district to vote in favor of a proposed tax increase to aid in fixing an array of problems faculty, staff and students face.

The proposed five mil increase could bring in anywhere from $1.5 to $1.7 million in revenue per year for the school system.

Some of the issues the district could continue to deal with without the funds include limited space in a growing Agriscience program to a lack of storm shelters in lower level schools.

“We turn away students every year because we just don’t have enough room,” said Lacey Bunt, an Agriscience teacher at Pell City Highschool.

Right now, around 300 Pell City High School students pack into two small classrooms for the school‘s Agriscience program.

Agriscience is the district’s most popular career pathway program.

In the same building, over 150 band students are in an equally small space.

“There’s no practicing inside with the drums. When we do, we have that nice ringing in the hear because the sound has no where to go,” said Corey Funderburg, the high school’s band director.

A proposed tax increase could change the spacing issues and many other problems, but what’s the community got to pay?

According to the district’s website, a home assessed at $100,000 would end up paying $4.17 more a month.

For teachers like Bunt and Funderburg, the added tax dollars mean they can have adequate space for their students through a new band hall, which gives Agriscience the remainder of the building they currently share.

“Our fine arts departments just in general get over looked. We have a lot of talented kids in those departments that need some attention,” said Funderburg.

“Hopefully we could even open up even a new structure, maybe a green house or small barn to incorporate even more students,” added Bunt.

Superintendent James Martin expects the projects the district has planned be around $20 million for the first five years.

However, the tax will stay in place for 30.

“The most thriving communities have a thriving school system. It is vital to our community and vital to our success not just today but in the future. You have to invest in your future in order to get the return,” said Martin.

Martin explains the tax increase would put the district at the same level of revenue as other school system similar in size.

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In neighboring Talladega County, the millage rate stands at 21 mills, while Pell City sits at 13.5.

If the referendum was to pass, a phased approach would be taken—starting with safety concerns which include two storm shelters for elementary schools in the district.

Click here for more information on the referendum.

In the second and third phases, school and athletic facility upgrades will be made across the district.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the tax increase November 16.