School Board & Tax Increase

If you are still paying School Taxes, this is approximately 60% of your property tax bill. If you are over 62, you have probably applied for and received the School Tax exemption. This exemption only applies to your primary residence. The lust for more of our hard-earned money never ends.

The Cobb County school budget/tax collection is projected to be over $1.75 BILLION this year. Cobb County schools spend the national average per student of approximately $12,000 per student.  More money alone does not necessarily result in improved academic performance as is demonstrated below. 

Some interesting facts you should know about Cobb County student performance:

• 50% of Elementary school students tested at or above the proficient level for Reading and 53% tested at or above that level for Math.

• 53% of Middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for both Reading and Math

• 62% of High school students tested at or above the proficient level for Reading and 52% tested at or above that level for Math.

• 33.7% of High school students achieve college readiness standards.

• 87.1% is the High school graduation rate.

• 66% of their budget is spent on Instruction

• 33.5% of their budget is spent on Support Services

• .5% of their budget is listed as Other Spending

• The School Board is preparing to spend $50 MILLION to build a private Event Facility. This is presumably to lower the costs of renting facilities for graduations and special events. We have no idea how that will pay for itself with 17 High schools graduating at roughly the same time.

Does spending more per student on education improve academic achievement? Here are the facts:

• Massachusetts spends above the average per student at over  $17,000 and ranks 1st in student success nationally.

• New York State spends the most per student at over $24,000 and ranks 13th in student success nationally.

• Alaska spends the second most per student at over $21,000 and ranks 30th in student success nationally.

• Utah spends the least at over $7,000 per student and ranks 23rd in student success nationally.

• Georgia spends over $12,000 per student and ranks 38th in student success nationally. Cobb county outperforms most of the other counties in the state.

• Mississippi spends over $9,000 per student and ranks 50th in student success nationally.

• Studies have concluded that throwing more money at the system is not directly tied to academic achievement or improvements.

What should you conclude? More money alone is not the panacea for academic results. There are many factors that go into academic success, not the least of which is active parental involvement in the child's education. It is a complex issue, but it is clear that money alone will not upgrade a school system's performance, so keep that in mind when choosing school board members.