Today, local voters are being asked to go to the polls to decide on the renewal of district and countywide school taxes.

Keep in mind, this is not a new tax – it’s simply renewing an existing tax.

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

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

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

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

These funds help the school system in providing a financial match to a $23 million statewide investment.

Those funds are used for classroom instructional support, technology funding, library enhancement, classroom fee replacement and professional development dollars.

But, the local financial match is critical in receiving those funds.

People can give lip service all day long, talking about how much they support public schools, education and our children’s future.

Voting on this tax renewal is a way to walk the talk. Don’t just talk about supporting education, get up and do something about it.

Special elections on issues such as a county school tax renewal generally bring out a small number of voters.

Voters will turn out en masse during the presidential election, but won’t take the time to go to the polls on an important local issue that affects school funding.

Vote today in favor of the tax renewal.