The Washington County Board of Education has approved their 2024 millage rate.
At a called meeting on Tuesday, the Board of Education voted to approve a rate of 13.449 mils for a maintenance and operations tax at the request of Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Vickie Harden.
According to the Board of Education, this rate is a reduction of 2.537 mils from the 2023 rate. The Board has made annual cuts to the millage rate since 2020.
Including the 2024 reduction, the Board of Education states that their portion of the Washington County millage rate has been cut 3.59 mils in the past 4 years.
Prior to the Board voting to approve the new rate, Chairman Robbie Blocker addressed the audience of interested Washington County citizens. He said that the Board of Education was welcoming public input.
In turn, the Board received multiple comments and questions from community members in attendance regarding the determination of the proposed rate, increased revenue, equalization, state funding, federal funding, the tax digest, the rollback calculation, the effects of abatements and property tax appeals, teacher and employee raises, spending controls, and sales tax.
Washington County Board of Education Deputy Superintendent Sandra McMaster led the charge in answering questions and addressing concerns.
Following lengthy discussion from meeting attendees, a motion was made to approve the proposed 2024 millage rate of 13.449 mils for a maintenance and operations tax. It was seconded and unanimously approved by Chairman Robbie Blocker, Vice Chair and District 1 Representative Al Gray, District 2 Representative Kristi Jenkins, District 3 Representative Leigh Jordan, and District 4 Representative Melvin Williams.
“The Board appreciates the attendance and engagement of those who were at the meeting,” said a post to the Washington County Board of Education Facebook page when making the announcement of their 2024 millage rate. “We encourage all citizens to attend all meetings of the Board.”
Board of Education meetings are normally held on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Office on 501 Industrial Drive in Sandersville.
All Board meeting dates and times are provided to local media ahead of schedule, including the supply of called meetings at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Dates and times are also posted on the outside bulletin board at the Board Office on Industrial Drive and listed on the Board of Education website.
Citizens are encouraged to attend all meetings either in-person or virtually via a Zoom call. Virtual links are also detailed on the Board of Education website.