The Hamilton County school budget accounts for more than half of all of the county government's spending. So we are very acutely interested in the necessary costs of running our schools to serve our children.
For next year, our county schools are looking toward a general purpose school fund request of $329.5 million. That's roughly $10 million more than last year's general purpose school fund, which is the largest of the four parts of the school system's budget request.
Where will the money come from?
Five of the nine county commissioners say they will not vote to raise Hamilton County property taxes this year. Most taxpayers surely share that sentiment.
Some natural property development probably will account for some income increase. But there's still an obvious divide.
County Commission Chairman Fred Skillern said he's not going to get involved in trying to run school business, "but I am not voting for a tax increase, and I am not voting to give anybody any more money."
Commissioner Chester Bankston, who is a former school board member, said he's sympathetic with school problems but also opposes any tax increase.
"Everybody is having to tighten their belts," Mr. Bankston said. "There will not be a tax increase this year."
With no tax increase, it obviously appears there will be a serious financial problem facing the county's schools.
We all naturally want to provide whatever our schools need for the education of our children. And we all naturally want to avoid any tax increase. It's quite the conundrum.
We may wonder why county commission and school board members are willing to run for offices and accept the difficult responsibilities of local government -- trying to serve and please all of us at the same time.
We certainly should appreciate their efforts and their service.
They don't have an easy job.