LEXINGTON, Ky (LEX 18) The Fayette County School Board has unanimously passed a tax increase for a school safety plan.
There was a full house at the Fayette County School’s Office on Wednesday for the public hearing, proposing a 5 cent property tax increase for every $100 of property to fund new school safety measures. The property tax increase would cost the average homeowner about $88 a year, depending on their property value.
During the hearing Wednesday, Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk made some opening remarks and leaders walked the attendees through the district’s 10 point safety plan:
1. Additional Law Enforcement Officers
2. Additional Mental Health Professionals
3. Exterior and Interior Facility Upgrades
4. Student and Staff ID Badges
5. Comprehensive Adolescent Assessment and Health Promotion.
6.Metal Detectors and Security Ambassadors.
7. Security Vestibules.
8. Social Media Monitoring.
9. Education and Training.
10. Upgraded Emergency Communication System.
After some opening remarks by Superintendent Caulk, leaders are walking attendees through the district’s 10 point safety plan @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/ZTPuh0E5uN
— Conor McCue (@Conor_WLEX) July 18, 2018
During public comment, a man who represents the faith community said that he "wholeheartedly supports" the "thoughtful" plan, saying that our students’ futures can’t be measured in dollars and cents. A board member with Commerce Lexington also shared their support for the safety plan and accompanying tax increase.
Another speaker asked the board to rework the proposal because of the total cost.
A mother expressed concern about more officers in the schools, asking that the officers have proper racial sensitivity training.
The board unanimously passed the increase.
Starting Thursday, the community will have 45 days to petition for the issue to be placed on a ballot. The petition would need signatures from 10% of the number of voters from the last presidential election year.
