The opinions in this letter do not necessarily reflect those of the publishing staff of the Lincoln Parish Journal.
To The Editor:
Lincoln Parish residents are being asked by the School Board to allow the consolidation of five small taxes into one 2.5% tax. The proposal is grounded in common sense, a simpler accounting structure and greater public transparency. But, like almost any issue involving taxes, some public concerns are being raised and deserve answers.
Let’s start with what the sales tax consolidation proposal is NOT:
• It is NOT a tax increase, but instead a simple consolidation of five small taxes into one.
• It will NOT reduce the amount of sales tax revenue available for teacher and full time staff salaries and benefits – in fact, it will actually increase slightly the amount of sales tax revenue available for teachers and staff from 2.33% to 2.5%.
• It is NOT an attempt to use so-called “dedicated” sales tax revenue for non-dedicated purposes – even with the full 2.5% available, sales tax revenues only provide approximately 38% of teacher and staff compensation. So, even with all of the sales tax revenue going to teacher and staff compensation, it is not enough – the School Board actually pays out considerably more thanis raised by the sales taxes, each and every year.
• And the availability of 13th and 14th paychecks, so vitally important to the Parish’s ability to attract and retain great teachers, are NOT “secured” or “guaranteed” by the amount of sales tax revenue raised, but rather by the School Board, who must draw on all the resources available to fund those checks.
So, the School Board is making this sales tax consolidation proposal:
• Because it will make slightly more sales tax revenue available for teacher and staff salaries and benefits.
• Because it will modernize and streamline the School Board’s accounting structure, providing greater clarity, accountability and transparency for the public, and greater efficiency and flexibility for the School Board, now and in the future.
• Because it is being recommended by all of the School Board’s independent accounting professionals.
• Because it will likely improve the School Board’s bond rating, which would make inevitable future borrowing less expensive.
• Because the proposed consolidation will further improve Lincoln Parish’s ability to attract and retain quality educators by enhancing the ability of the School Board to offer highly competitive and attractive salary packages, including the potential for 13th and 14th paychecks.
As the newly elected Lincoln Parish Superintendent of Schools, I will be the one who recommends the compensation package for teachers and full-time staff to the School Board each year. Recently, I promised our teachers and full time staff – whom I believe to be the best in the State of Louisiana – that I will make their compensation the absolute top priority in my recommendation to the School Board every year, including the 13th and 14th paychecks.
I cannot say today what those numbers will be every year, because that depends on revenues raised from a variety of sources, sales taxes being just one of them, but I have promised our teachers and staff that my first priority every year will be to recommend as generous a salary and benefits package for teachers and full-time staff as possible.
I’ve given the teachers and staff my word, and I am asking the residents of Lincoln Parish to approve our consolidation request on June 27 and help me honor that promise.
John Young
Superintendent of Schools (elect)
Lincoln Parish
