Senior citizens may get some financial relief in the future if the Haralson County Schools Board approves a property tax credit for eligible seniors, which they discussed in their Monday night board meeting that was held at Buchanan Primary School.

Upon the school board’s request, Haralson County Tax Commissioner Barbara Ridley presented a study regarding the possible impact on the system and community if the board provides a tax break for seniors. The idea came after the state’s elimination of the Homestead Tax Relief Credit on seniors’ property bills this year. That measure offered a normal exemption for people 65 years old and under for $2,000, and those 65 and older got a $10,000 exemption if they met the income requirements. Therefore, the study currently being conducted addresses how an increase of the exemption amount would affect the system’s finances.

Ridley stressed the school board’s interest in providing relief with the possible measure is a meticulous process the board has to review before they determine whether they’ll move forward with proposing the tax relief to the public, which would have approve it through popular vote.

“The study addressed how an exemption for seniors with an extra homestead would affect the tax digest, which would have to be made up by taxpayers. I ran a report that reflects the cost for people over 62 and under 65, wherein that money would come off seniors, but the system would lose. I also talked to surrounding counties about similar tax measures they have in place,” Ridley explained. “The referendum would have to be voted on by the community and enacted into local law, and the school board would have to formulate specific language on how the tax credit would apply. They would also have to consider income eligibility, age and other factors.”

Ridley’s report highlighted that coverage for eligible seniors more than 65 years old would cost the school board approximately $340,000, while coverage for the segment of seniors between 62 years old and 65 years old would amount to approximately $42,000 based on the number of seniors claiming the homestead at this time.

Noting the details tied with this matter, School Board Chairman Richard Davis said the board would further discuss the measure at the next meeting in December.

In other business, the board approved the Georgia School Board Association as the workers compensation provider for employees. The decision comes after it’s previous provider, Southeastern US, filed bankruptcy. The board noted benefits to switching to GSBA, pointing out that it provides risk management services tied to Workers Compensations Insurance that could support the system’s collection of 13 outstanding claims. Davis says some of those claims involve litigation matters that are being reviewed.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Brett Stanton said that he expected another update from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) regarding the board’s improvement after their recognition as a standards board. He cited the board’s goal to become a board of distinction, which they are currently aspiring to.

As part of their improvement efforts, the board has continued to review board policies to support their governance at the schools. They approved the update and review of several policies. The accepted policies include policy JAA, regarding the Equal Opportunity Employer, as well as JBCB, concerning tuition rates for out-of-district students. Policy JBCCA2, on unsafe schools, and JBCD, regarding students who transfer and withdraw from the schools in the system, was also approved for review.

The board agreed to tighten up other policies over the upcoming months, including the attendance policy, which board member Dr. Terrell MacBrayer says “is one of the most important things we can do to address truancy” and related issues.

The next Haralson County Board of Education meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the former Board Office in Buchanan.