The Walker County School System is getting a first hand lesson to the longstanding political adage that “elections have consequences.”
Monday night’s regular board meeting was the first since Election Day 2024 and Georgia voters approved H.B. 581, which reportedly strives to make property taxes across the state, more uniform and consistent.
But Walker County Schools Superintendent Damon Raines says both he and the board are only in the formative stages of learning what the new law entails and more importantly, how it could impact school revenues. “It’s about the homestead exemption, so they’re changing that,” explains Raines. “It won’t affect new construction, it won’t affect when somebody sells a house but it will affect somebody that has been in a house for a long time.”
Raines says the school system has only “one shot with the decision” that must be reached by March 1st.
The Superintendent cautions the board’s vote to either “opt in” or “opt out” of the program will have lasting impact. Raines provided board members with a lengthy reading assignment for background on the new law. He also suggested workshops to discuss the potential financial ramifications.
In other school board news, The LaFayette High School girls softball and volleyball teams were both recognized for their respective successes of the past season as Elite 8 teams in reaching the GHSAA playoffs. The Lady Rambler softballers posted a school best 28-6 season, with the team’s only losses being to eventual state championship finalists.
The LaFayette High School FFA was also recognized for its recent distinction of being named a Two Gold Star Chapter, a feat reached by only 3% of group membership, said advisors.
By Vince Lennon
