Baldwin School Board Adopts Sales Tax Increase Resolution

On Thursday, the Baldwin County Board of Education adopted a resolution to request the county commission to levy a one-cent sales tax increase. The money is needed to help bail the school district out of a 38 million dollar budget shortfall.

"We've reached a critical point, we've cut over 300 employees," says school supt. Dr. Faron Hollinger.

School board member Robert Wills was the only member voting against the resolution.

"We should exhaust every option we have and I'm a little concerned that we have sprung this on the county commission and it's up to them to levy a tax. Of course we all know it's a difficult thing and an unpopular thing to do," says Wills.

School board members will meet with county commissioners next week to discuss the issue. If approved, the tax hike would generate an estimated 29 million dollars for the school district. If the plan fails, some extra curricular activites like athletics and band could be eliminated.