Polls open today

By Cassandra Mickens

The Selma Times-Journal

Dallas County and Selma City School officials are asking residents to hit the voting booth today to renew district and countywide school taxes.

Dallas County (District 37) and Selma City (District 36) each have a 3-mill tax renewal on today’s special election ballot.

Dr. Fannie Major-McKenzie, superintendent of Dallas County Schools, said the district tax generates approximately $400,000 for the system.

Voters will also decide whether to renew a 3.5-mill and a 5-mill countywide tax.

“Now those are divided between the Dallas County School System and the Selma City School System based on student enrollment,” McKenzie said.

Both countywide taxes generate approximately $1.2 million for the county schools, McKenzie said.

McKenzie and Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. James Carter say the taxes have generated school funds for decades. Both officials emphasize the word “renewal.”

“If you’re going to vote against it, then you need to stay at home,” Carter said in a previous report.

“One reason (the tax renewal) is so essential is because we participate in the state’s foundation program,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie added the state’s foundation program provides the majority of teachers for a given school system, classroom instructional support, technology funding, library enhancement, classroom fee replacement and professional development dollars – a $23 million investment.

“In order for us to receive that $23 million, we must provide a financial match that’s the equivalent of 10-mills and for the Dallas County School System the equivalent of 10-mills is $1.5 million for this year.”

“So this is very critical. The tax is our only source of revenue for our general fund.”

For information regarding voting precincts, contact the Dallas County Probate Judge’s office at (334) 876-4830.