The Paris News: Mobile Edition

The Paris News
- MOBILE EDITION -

Paris voters know a good thing

Staff Report

Published November 04, 2009

Yesterday, voters in the Paris Independent School District passed a 13-cent increase to the district’s maintenance and operations tax rate.

As far back as February of this year, PISD school officials were warning our readers that a tax rate election in Paris was inevitable in order to attain new school revenues and avoid damage to school programs. Finally, in August, PISD trustees called for the election.

The good news was that the higher maintenance and operations tax rate would make PISD eligible for $2.35 million a year in state funds that were previously unavailable to the district. School officials further sweetened the deal by proposing an equivalent 13-cent decrease in the district’s Interest and sinking tax rate, which means there will be no increase in the school district’s overall local tax rate if since voters approved the M&O rate increase.

Here at The Paris News, we called it a good idea and urged passage of the measure. Paris voters agreed, 781-214.

The increased revenue from the state will enable PISD to do things like provide competitive salaries to retain and attract highly qualified employees, enhance technology to ensure student success in a competitive global economy, take care of transportation needs, and maintain and repair facilities.

In a story on today’s front page, Paul Trull, PISD superintendent, has expressed his appreciation to the voters. We would like to add our congratulations to the people of Paris for making a wise decision that will help keep Paris schools be the best they can be.