School Improvement Projects

January 19, 2023

All families, faculty, and staff in the Holt High School feeder pattern are invited to an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 6 pm in the Holt High School cafeteria. The Holt High feeder pattern includes Cottondale Elementary, Holt Elementary, Davis-Emerson Middle, and Holt High.

The purpose of this meeting is to share information with you about proposed improvements for all students in the Tuscaloosa County School System, and proposed improvements specific to the Holt High feeder pattern.

How would these improvements be funded?

Funds to support these improvements would be generated by an additional eight mills of property taxes in Tuscaloosa County. All registered voters in Tuscaloosa County will have the opportunity to vote on the eight mill property tax on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. The January 24 meeting is an opportunity for you to learn how these funds would be used to support students.

Currently, Tuscaloosa County ranks at the very bottom of the state in millage rate for local school funding; however, TCSS is one of the largest school systems in the state. Out of 139 school systems in Alabama, TCSS is number one by geographic size and number nine in student population. TCSS serves approximately 19,000 students. The last time Tuscaloosa County voters approved a millage rate increase for local school funding was more than 100 years ago, in 1917.

Below is a brief summary of the proposed improvements for all TCSS schools.

Proposed improvements that would impact the entire district include:

• More school resource officers and building security improvements
• Pre-K available to all students
• Smaller class sizes
• More electives and career tech options
• Dual enrollment scholarships
• Art and music classes for elementary schools
• Increased mental health resources
• Construction of a centrally-located performing arts venue

The first round of proposed improvements for the Holt High Attendance Zone includes:

• Holt Elementary classroom addition
• New stadium and athletic facilities
• Middle school athletic facilities updates

How much does eight mills equate to in dollars?

• If Tuscaloosa County voters approve the eight mill property tax, someone who owns a home or property with a $100,000 assessed value would pay about $75 per year in additional property tax.
  

• Someone who owns a home or property with a $200,000 assessed value, would pay about $150 per year in additional property tax.
  

• Someone who owns a home or property with a $300,000 assessed value, would pay about $225 per year in additional property tax.
  

The funds generated by the eight mills would provide approximately $15 million each year, to meet needs of TCSS schools, not addressed by current local, state, or federal funding.

This information and more will be presented at the meeting Tuesday, January 24, at 6 pm at Holt High School. You may also read more at our TCSS web site.