Another Negative Take on Muscle Shoals School Tax

The upcoming school tax referendum has certainly provoked some interesting comments. As has always been our policy, we will be happy to publish both pros and cons; however, we have not as yet received any comments in favor of the tax. We did hear from the Muscle Shoals resident who's an editor at a site not associated with us, and he will be voting "No." 

That brings us to yesterday's blog written by Leslie M. Shoals. Leslie wrote for us for some time before we asked the writer to choose a name (it keeps down confusion). When the writer failed to choose a name, we suggested "Leslie M. Shoals" in part since Leslie could be male or female. We have always endeavored to refrain from identifying Leslie's gender.

Now a Muscle Shoals school admin has stated on his FB page that Leslie is female, calling the writer a constant critic of both the school system and the city council. It would seem that someone realizes he made an enemy at some point and possibly feels guilty about it? We all make mistakes, and the easiest way to correct them is to apologize for our behavior. No child, whether in Leslie's family or not, should be mistreated by school admins. Just our opinion...

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From another Muscle Shoals resident:


To help enlighten voters about some facts not being discussed:

Per the news article published in the Times Daily on May 8, 2013:

In January, the school district began construction on a $5.9 million center for technology adjacent to Muscle Shoals High School. The school district is using $2.9 million from the bond and $3 million of its capital reserves to fund that project.

So, let’s do the math:

$10,000,000 bond issue

$2,900,000 portion of bond used for Center for Technology

$7,100,000 was spent on the Athletic facility, football field turf, and stadium upgrades.

The city kicks in $1.3 million to help with the bond issues for high school and this $10 million bond for Career Academy and Athletics Facility, field and stadium upgrades.

Give Us MORE:

The city is paying an additional $200,000.00 each year toward the 10 million dollar bond issue which means the city is paying roughly 4 million of the 10 million from taxpayers money. Let that sink in!

There’s 3 things you’ll notice never gets mention:

#1: The money (tax payer money) they get from the city already.

#2: How much the current tax has generated in the last 8 years. 2010 was $2.1 million. 2017 over $4.1 million. Most of that increase started on 2013-2014 due to the housing market really exploding and it continues to grow.

#3: That the new appraisals are estimated to bring in over an additional $1 million. Don’t miss this!! The school will get the money they are asking for off of the increased appraisals and the homes that are continuing to be built. The tax will do nothing but dip twice. The tax not passing will not foreclose the Muscle Shoals Schools as they are trying to act like it will.

These three things they do not and will not discuss. They know it points to a lack of planning and management. This is what people need to see and understand over and over and over. Money IS NOT THE ISSUE!

Remember: Property taxes are voted on every 30 years. So if this passes it’s good till 2048. Or until they come asking for more...