Paris Independent School Adopts 4% Revenue Increase To Property Taxes

The Paris Independent Board of Education voted to implement a four percent revenue increase to property tax rates for citizens of the school district at the regular board meeting on Tuesday September 17th.  This four percent revenue increase will raise property taxes 2.1 cents per $100 of assessed value for an actual percentage increase of 2.6%.  A public hearing took place on Thursday September 12th, where one citizen spoke in favor of the increase and no one opposed.  At the regular board meeting on the 17th, one citizen spoke against the increase and one citizen spoke in favor.
Funds generated by the increase will result in an additional $64,931 into the district.  Of that amount, $6,500 by statute would go into the building fund, $6,500 for tax collection and approximately $52,000 would be used to offset the reduction of SEEK funding provided by the state and maintenance of facilities and transportation fleet.
Superintendent Stephen McCauley pointed out that the state funds transportation at 57% of what should be sent to school districts and SEEK funding has not kept pace with rising technology and staffing expenses.  This shortfall in funding continues to shift more of the burden to local school districts.
The tax rate of $0.804 per $100 ranks in the lower half of all Independent school districts in the state.