Replacement levy a good investment for schools

The Athens NEWS supports the Athens City School District's replacement levy on the May 3 primary ballot. This levy is not for operating expenses but rather replacement and repair of items such as computers and software, textbooks, school buses, and building repairs and improvements.

These are items that school officials say will need to be purchased, and if there's no levy to dip into, they'll have to take it from a general fund that's already struggling with state budget cuts and other demands such as utilities, salaries and benefits.

This levy five years and 2.9 mills replaces one that's already on the books, and which has helped pay for maintenance improvements and roofing at several of the district's school buildings. As a result, taxpayers will see little if any change in their yearly tax bill.

Having a pool of money like this is necessary in an operation that depends so heavily on having updated materials and infrastructure. It's especially important when it comes to the up-to-date computer equipment and software that modern learning depends so heavily on.

According to the school district, the money is divided roughly between textbooks ($150,000), computers ($350,000), buses ($250,000), educational equipment including furniture ($250,000), and facilities maintenance and repair ($400,000).

We believe that this replacement levy is a good investment for the Athens City School District and its taxpayers, and urge district voters to support it at the polls on May 3.