At a public
forum last week at City Hall,
F.E.E.F (Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation) President Jack Burrell read a letter from the
Board of Directors formally endorsing the proposed one cent school sales tax. Burrell said F.E.E.F. is one of seven education foundations in Baldwin County comprising the Baldwin County Educational Coalition that is playing a leading role in educating voters and getting out the yes vote. Burrell: "(Its) a temporary solution to a long-term problem; but we can't jeopardize the future and education of children in our schools today or the quality of life in our communities--just for the sake of politics."
The Foundation's letter went on to say the county has a school system "worth fighting for" and the underlying long term funding issues should be kept separate for now. ["Vote yes and (then) find long term funding solutions."]
Burrell said that after consulting teachers/principals of the 6 Fairhope area schools, he personally had come to favor the tax as well--as a "short term solution to stabilize the school system." Burrell: "I was convinced. I support this."
School Board Vice President Angie Swiger, County Commissioners Gruber and Bishop, Principal Terry Beasley, Norm Moore, Michael Thomson, and two others spoke in favor of the proposal.
Dean Young and Kay Ponder spoke against it. (Young is currently a candidate for Lt. Governor as is Ponder's husband, Gene)
The referendum will be March 23rd.
A CD recording of this meeting is available.
Click on the arrow to view video.
At a public forum last week at City Hall, F.E.E.F (Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation) President Jack Burrell read a letter from the Board of Directors formally endorsing the proposed one cent school sales tax. Burrell said F.E.E.F. is one of seven education foundations in Baldwin County comprising the Baldwin County Educational Coalition that is playing a leading role in educating voters and getting out the yes vote. Burrell: "(Its) a temporary solution to a long-term problem; but we can't jeopardize the future and education of children in our schools today or the quality of life in our communities--just for the sake of politics."
The Foundation's letter went on to say the county has a school system "worth fighting for" and the underlying long term funding issues should be kept separate for now. ["Vote yes and (then) find long term funding solutions."]
Burrell said that after consulting teachers/principals of the 6 Fairhope area schools, he personally had come to favor the tax as well--as a "short term solution to stabilize the school system." Burrell: "I was convinced. I support this."
School Board Vice President Angie Swiger, County Commissioners Gruber and Bishop, Principal Terry Beasley, Norm Moore, Michael Thomson, and two others spoke in favor of the proposal.
Dean Young and Kay Ponder spoke against it. (Young is currently a candidate for Lt. Governor as is Ponder's husband, Gene)
The referendum will be March 23rd.
A CD recording of this meeting is available.
Click on the arrow to view video.