Voters will decide whether they want the Halifax County School System to have a supplemental school tax in the May 8 primary.

The only ones who won't vote on the matter are those in the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon school systems, which already have a supplemental tax.

County commissioners who were required to set a date after the county board of education last week adopted a resolution saying they wanted one to raise money not covered by local and state funding to help improve education within the system.

County Attorney Glynn Rollins told commissioners at their meeting today should the referendum pass, they would be the ones to set the tax rate which, under state law, can be no more than 50 cents per $100 valuation.

The petition calling for the referendum explains the school system is the largest in the county and that the two other systems already have a supplemental tax. “The fact that other systems within the county have special taxing authority which has not been granted to the Halifax County Board of Education creates inequity in the funding for public education in Halifax County which demands immediate redress,” the document says.

The document notes, “Though the Halifax County Board of Education recognizes the need to maintain tax rates at the lowest level possible and fully intends that the full authorization not be utilized, consistent with fulfilling their responsibilities as school board members they are requesting authorization for a supplemental tax not to exceed fifty cents on one-hundred dollars valuation of property ...”

In a statement from school system spokesman Keith Hoggard, the board is seeking voter authority to, “Establish a supplemental education tax in order to provide the children of this county the equal opportunity they deserve.”

The statement says the school system receives less than half the local government funding students of Roanoke Rapids and Weldon receive because pf supplemental taxes. “In addition, because we are not a tax district, we do not receive state reimbursement of sales tax monies that are now given to towns and other school districts by the county. All we want is fairness and equity for our students.”

The school system recognizes the economy, the statement said. “Our children deserve equal opportunity in education so they can become successful adults with good jobs and good families.

“The school board wants every citizen of Halifax County to know that they are seeking what is fair and just for the children of this county. Nothing more. The children of Enfield, Scotland Neck, Littleton, Hobgood, Hollister, Tillery, Lake Gaston and every crossroads in Halifax County deserve the same educational opportunities that children receive in Weldon, Roanoke Rapids or Raleigh.”

The statement says the board of education is not seeking an unfair or regressive tax during an election year. “They want to keep taxes as reasonable as possible for the taxpayers of this historic county.”

The money from this tax, the statement said, would fund science labs, better technology, better security and more course offerings at all levels, such as art, drama, music, construction, dance and photography. “The people of this county are not second-rate and neither our are children. Our children deserve the opportunity to succeed that comes only through a good education.”

In an interview following the meeting, Hoggard said the county school system gets $880 in local funds per student, compared to Roanoke Rapids, which gets $1,894 per student and Weldon, which gets $2,318. “That is significantly less than half because we don't have a supplemental tax.”