Taxing Authority

Several articles ran local newspapers in the summer of 2005 regarding school board taxing authority. The articles listed below were all featured in Raleigh's newspaper, The News and Observer, and serve as a resource on this subject.

The Big Issue
When it comes to paying for schools, North Carolina has an unusual system. The county board of commissioners – not the school board – signs off on the budget and raises the money to support it. Some say the school board, which sets education policy, should also have budget and tax authority. Others say the current division of powers is an effective check and balance that helps keep tax bills lower.

The dollar drama
Ryan Teague Beckwith staff writer for the News and Observer
Every year, the Wake County school board gives its budget request to the board of commissioners, and then the theatrics begin. North Carolina is one...
All-around education
Until taxing authority is in the Wake County school board's hands, true accountability and adequate funding will never be had. We need to take this...
Around the country
School budget and tax-rate procedures vary from state to state. Often, local school boards have authority for both developing budgets and levying taxes to support...
Around the Triangle
Wake County is not the only county grappling with school funding issues. Here's a look at its neighbors:
No taxing makes no sense
Ed Dunlap, Jr. – Executive Director of the North Carolina School Boards Association
As surely as night follows day, budget season in North Carolina produces conflicts between county commissioners and school boards. The responsibilities of the two boards...
Our negotiated system best navigates the pressures
An Interview with U. S. Representative Bob Etheridge
THE N&O: North Carolina is one of only about 11 states that make their school boards go through county commissioners to get money. Why do...
N.C. way is clear, equitable
Jim Blackburn – general counsel for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
Periodically, we in North Carolina hear a plea to give local school boards independent taxing authority, with advocates often pointing to all the other states...
A school-finance shift
I applaud Tom Oxholm's call (Point of View article, June 13) for giving direct taxing authority to the Wake County school system. It makes no...