Cumberland — Mineral County voters made a wise choice last Saturday when they voted nearly three to one to continue a school tax levy that has helped pay for public education since 1952.
Had the levy not passed, $6 million of annual funding would have been lost for the county’s 4,600 students.
The loss would have been a financial devastation for the school system.
The levy vote originally was scheduled for Feb. 6 but was called off because of a recent snow storm.
But polls were open last Saturday and by the end of the day the levy had passed by a 1,802-
522 margin.
Some of the votes were cast in January as people took advantage of an early voting option.
State law requires the levy to come up for a vote every five years, meaning the tax is now in place until 2015.
Steve Peer, treasurer for the Mineral County Board of Education, said that funds generated from the levy are separate from money the system receives through local property taxes.
The $6 million of levy money represents about 15 percent of the school system’s operating budget for 14 schools and 4,600 students.
Money is tight these days because of the recent recession.
Despite that, a majority of Mineral County voters apparently see the education levy as a good investment in the county’s future.
Editorials
It’s needed
Mineral voters again pass vital school levy
- Editorials
-
-
What’s ahead?
Is there a future for Cumberland’s Canal Fest/Rail Fest?
-
Old Glory
Many of us will display the United States flag this Memorial Day holiday. Special days like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Flag Day serve to bring out our patriotism.
-
Besides, they’re not interested in dental health
Dear Governor:
I am writing to thank you for your leadership in the recently called special legislative session to avoid the Doomsday budget. -
Here’s why he prefers the school he’s now attending
School is boring but we all have to go, so choose your school carefully. I attend a Christian school because I don’t have to listen to people cussing, teachers and some class mates are caring, and I’m learning about Christ.
-
Friends Aware grateful for support of public, legislators
Friends Aware Inc. would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Sen. George Edwards, Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly and LeRoy Myers and the members of the Allegany County Commissioners for their support of our organization in the awarding of $250,000 through a state bond bill.
-
How it works
Anything that can be done to foster transparency in government is a good thing. The latest effort in that direction is an online class explaining how Maryland’s Open Meetings Act works.
-
Had enough
There is plenty of blame to go around for the disgraceful way public meetings have been conducted at Keyser city hall.
-
Their goal is common good, not personal gain
At his request, I am responding to Arthur Squires’ commentary, “She believes despite evidence to the contrary” (May 17 Times-News).
-
Common sense says: One high school and a VA hospital
First we build a hospital we did not need in place of two good hospitals. Now the architects tell us we should tear down the former Sacred Hospital to build a new high school we do not need. (“New Allegany architects: Tear it down — all of it,” May 9 Times-News, Page 1A)
-
Historic Cemetery Organization sets Memorial Day activities
Once again members of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization are decorating hundreds of our designated or protected grave sites for the Memorial Day season.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
